Hu Shanwei, it's her again.
Hu Shanwei left his name before the emperor for presenting the southern opera "Pipa Ji". Emperor Hongwu was very enthusiastic about "Pipa Ji" and ordered the Jiaofangsi to compose music with strings, and actors performed it every day.
Emperor Hongwu once said: "The Five Classics, the Four Books, cloth, silk, and grain are available in every household. Gao Ming's Lute Story is like a delicacy from the mountains and the sea, and is indispensable to the rich and powerful."
Hu Shanwei provided excellent spiritual food, so in the heart of Emperor Hongwu, Hu Shanwei was a female official with a discerning eye.
After Hu Shanwei was promoted to the sixth rank Si Yan, he often went in and out of the palace to deliver messages to Empress Ma, and gradually became a familiar face in the imperial court. Emperor Hongwu had a good impression of her. She was decent-looking, capable, and had a hint of official's intimidation, which was able to show the dignity of the royal family.
Unexpectedly, she had such a bizarre experience, so Emperor Hongwu ordered Hu Shanwei to meet him.
If it were an ordinary person, Emperor Hongwu would have waved his hand long ago and there would be at least a hundred ways to make this annoying person disappear completely.
The eunuch went to the harem to summon Hu Shanwei, while Mao Xiang hurriedly ordered his confidant Ji Gang to bring Earl Yongchun to the Jinyiwei duty room.
Wang Ning thought it was about his going to the northwest to guard the border, so he hurried over. Mao Xiang closed the doors and windows and said, "The emperor has taken a liking to you and wants you to marry him. He also knows about your relationship with Hu Shanwei."
As if struck by a bolt from the blue, Wang Ning shook his head repeatedly, "No, I refuse, Lord Shang. I have already decided to leave the capital and never marry or have children in this life."
Mao Xiang said anxiously, "Who do you think you are rejecting? It's not the princess, it's the emperor! If you reject the emperor's proposal, the emperor will be angry and will demote you at best or behead you at worst. Hu Shanwei will also be implicated by you. At best, he will be expelled from the palace and lose his position as a female official. At worst, he will be executed by the emperor."
Wang Ning didn't believe it. "The emperor is a wise ruler and will not kill innocent people. Besides, I come from a humble background. Why would he choose me?"
You are still too young and too naive! Mao Xiang said, "The emperor finally chose you, so he has his reasons. If you ask, it means you are trying to figure out the emperor's intentions, and you will be beheaded. Not only must you promise the emperor, but you must also swear that you have broken off all feelings with Hu Shanwei. Anyway, her father Hu Rong has already written the "Annulment Letter" and has gone to the government office to get a clear way out."
Wang Ning had not expected the problem to be so serious. "Will the Emperor let Hu Shanwei go if I agree to his request against my will?"
Mao Xiang was the confidant of Emperor Hongwu. He was a murderer and a good swordsman. He knew the king's methods and thoughts, but at the same time he valued Wang Ning's talent. He could not bear to see Wang Ning lose his bright future because of resisting the marriage, and the Ming Dynasty lose a talented general.
"Yes, you must agree happily, because this is the emperor's grace, you must know how to appreciate it. If the emperor asks you about your opinion of Hu Shanwei..." Mao Xiang anxiously put his fingers together as a knife and drew it hard in the air, "You must draw a clear line. You are you, she is her, she has her ambitions and future, she is loyal to the court, you are loyal to the court, you are irrelevant. Otherwise-"
Mao Xiang said: "In the past, Wu Zetian's beloved daughter Princess Taiping was newly widowed. In order to consolidate the imperial power, Wu Zetian ordered the death of Wu Youji's wife and recruited him as the new son-in-law."
"There is also the famous scholar Wang Xianzhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who lived in harmony with his wife Xi Daomao, but Princess Xin'an took a fancy to Wang Xianzhi and forced him to divorce Xi Daomao. If Xi Daomao had not come from a prominent family, and if the Eastern Jin Dynasty was not a family-based politics, with the gentry and the imperial power ruling the world together, Xi Daomao would probably have been killed by the royal family. From beginning to end, how innocent were Wu Youji's wife and Xi Daomao? If you don't want Hu Shanwei to follow in their footsteps, do as I say!"
As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mao Xiang killed too many people for Emperor Hongwu, some of whom deserved to die and some were innocent. When the emperor was angry, blood would flow everywhere. Was this just talk
Imperial study.
Since Hu Shanwei was promoted to Si Yan, she has become less and less talkative and more and more silent. As the mouthpiece of the queen, she has to be careful about every word she says, because others will guess the queen's intention through her words.
Don't say a word or take a step more, restrain yourself, don't easily express your thoughts on things, forget yourself, use yourself as the queen's mouthpiece, and don't give anyone the opportunity to interpret your words.
So far, she’s doing great.
But why did the emperor summon her to an audience
If the emperor wanted to pass on a message or give something to Empress Ma, there were ladies-in-waiting and eunuchs walking in and out of the harem with him, so there was no need to call her over.
Hu Shanwei walked into the study with a lot of questions in his mind. After paying his respects, Emperor Hongwu got straight to the point: "Has Hu Siyan ever been engaged?"
In a flash, Hu Shanwei had thought about it several times. The word "have you ever" probably meant that he knew her past.
Emperor Hongwu was so direct that Hu Shanwei dared not hide it. "When I was fourteen, I was engaged to a hereditary centurion. My fiancé participated in the second northern expedition of the imperial court. After the war, he sent me a jar of ashes and a military badge. I became a widow. Later, my father wrote a letter of withdrawal of engagement, and the marriage was cancelled."
Emperor Hongwu asked again: "What happened next?"
Hu Shanwei was shocked: How much does the emperor know? Why is he asking about my private affairs for no apparent reason
On the stands that day, Hu Shanwei only saw the "丁"-shaped boat capsized, and all ten people fell into the water. Mao Xiang led the Jinyiwei to jump into the river. In the end, it was Mao Xiang who carried Princess Huaiqing, who was wrapped in a flying fish costume, ashore and put her directly into the carriage to return to the palace. She did not know what happened in the Qinhuai River after the boat capsized.
The emperor would not ask these questions for no reason. With Mao Xiang around, what secrets could she hide from Emperor Hongwu
Hu Shanwei thought about it again and again, and could only speak frankly: "Later, my family urged me to get married, but I didn't want to get married. I happened to see the emperor's edict recruiting female officials, so I stole the household registration card from my family to take the exam, and was selected to serve in the palace. This year, the court won the fourth northern expedition, and then I learned that my former fiancé was not dead. He faked his death for the sake of the northern expedition, lurked in the Northern Yuan as a spy, made great contributions, returned triumphantly, and was named the Earl of Yongchun."
Emperor Hongwu said: "You are loyal and righteous. You have remained chaste for the Earl of Yongchun and hid in the palace to resist the marriage. The Earl of Yongchun sacrificed his family to save the country for the sake of justice. I cannot let down a brave man and a virtuous woman. Although your engagement is cancelled, I can grant you another marriage."
Hu Shanwei fell to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, I did enter the palace to protect myself from marriage, but now I am just like the ladies-in-waiting Cao Shanggong, Fan Gongzheng and other female officials. I have no intention of getting married and only want to serve the palace for the rest of my life."
Emperor Hongwu's eyes shone, "Are you resentful because Earl Yongchun disregarded the marriage contract and faked his own death?"
With an invisible pressure coming, Hu Shanwei said without hesitation: "If I had not entered the palace, had no female officials, and was just an ordinary woman in the market, if she knew about this, she would definitely resent Yongchun Bo for abandoning his wife and family. After three years of resisting marriage, I was ridiculed by the world and my relationship with my father gradually became distant."
"Three years, more than 1,100 days, every day was harsh and harsh. In the folk, a woman whose household registration was attached to her family could not go out to make a living independently. It was snowing heavily, and I washed clothes at the wellhead until my frostbite broke and bled. At that time, I fantasized countless times and prayed for a miracle, so that he could come back and marry me. I pinned everything on love, hoping that love could save me from suffering. But it didn't. What finally gave me a way out was the emperor's imperial edict to recruit female officials. It was the emperor who saved me."
After hearing this, Emperor Hongwu remained expressionless, but one could feel warmth in his eyes.
Hu Shanwei knew that she had taken the right path. Everyone likes to hear good words. If she said them skillfully, she would gain the favor of the superiors. She added:
"I was blessed by the Emperor to serve as a court lady in the palace. I started from managing the collection, and then assisted Fan Gongzheng in editing, printing, and bestowing books. I went to Xi'an to investigate the disappearance of Liu Siyan and his group, and so on. After completing each task, I realized that being an official is not easy. If you eat the salary of the emperor, you must be loyal to the emperor. Gradually, I realized which is more important, the great cause of the country or the small cause of personal justice. Therefore, when I learned that Yongchun Bo had returned, I felt calm and had no regrets. As an official of the Ming Dynasty, I can understand Yongchun Bo's decision. If I were in your place, when loyalty and filial piety, loyalty and love cannot be achieved at the same time, I would make the same choice as Yongchun Bo."
Every word Hu Shanwei said was heartfelt, especially the part about loyalty to the emperor and the imperial grace, which touched the heart of the emperor. After listening to it, Emperor Hongwu nodded secretly. It was rare for a woman to have such awareness. She was a talent.
But Emperor Hongwu would not let Hu Shanwei off so easily, and asked again: "Since you have no resentment, Yongchun Bo's return should make you and your relationship reconcile, why do you still refuse my marriage? Yongchun Bo's wife is a first-rank imperial lady."
Hu Shanwei said: "As a wife, you should always put your husband first. As a minister, you should put your emperor first. I have already decided to repay the emperor's grace with my whole life. As a lady of imperial decree, no matter how high your rank is, you can only stay in the inner house to take care of your husband and children. As a female official, even if it is an eighth-rank female historian, doing humble clerical work, you are also serving the court and the Ming Dynasty."
Hu Shanwei bowed to the ground and said: "I do not want to be the wife of Yongchun Bo. I just want to be a minister who is as useful to the Ming Dynasty and the emperor as Yongchun Bo. I hope the emperor will grant my wish!"
After a long while, Emperor Hongwu said, "Announce the Earl of Yongchun."
When Wang Ning arrived, Emperor Hongwu asked him directly, "I heard from Mao Xiang that Hu Siyan in the harem was once your fiancée?"
Wang Ning said, "Yes, I faked my own death and hid in the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Hu Siyan decided to stay at home as a widow. In order to make Hu Siyan remarry, her father Hu Rong wrote a letter of annulment and asked her late mother to sign it. Then he went to the government office to cancel the engagement."
Emperor Hongwu asked again: "Do you hate Hu Rong?"
Wang Ning said, "As a father, I cannot bear to see my daughter become a widow. I have no complaints about canceling the engagement. Moreover, I was the one who broke my promise first, and I feel sorry for Hu Siyan."
Emperor Hongwu asked again: "Now that you are back, are you willing to reunite with Hu Siyan and continue your relationship?"
Wang Ning remembered Mao Xiang's instructions: Wu Youji's wife and Xi Daomao are innocent. If you don't want Hu Shanwei to follow in their footsteps, do as I say!
Wang Ning said: "When I decided to fake my death, I had already given up all love and affection and was only loyal to the country. Now I have taken care of my mother's funeral and am on standby at home to guard the border at any time."
Emperor Hongwu showed admiration and said, "You have devoted yourself to the country and lost your family. If the country betrays your loyalty and allows a loyal minister like you to be lonely and helpless for the rest of your life without any descendants, who will be willing to give everything for the country in the future? I recruit you as my son-in-law to protect the capital. Are you willing?"
Wang Ning looked flattered, "This... Your Majesty, I am of humble origin and unworthy of the princess."
Emperor Hongwu said: "How can a second-class earl, loyal and brave, not be worthy of my daughter? Moreover, the princess is the monarch and you are the minister. The great country and the small family are integrated into one. You don't have to worry about anything. Defending the country is protecting the princess. I have taken a fancy to you. Are you willing?"
If he agreed, when he and Princess Huaiqing would go in and out of the palace together, it would undoubtedly plant a thorn in Hu Shanwei's eyes, and it would prick her heart every time he saw her.
If he was unwilling, Hu Shanwei would have to sacrifice his future and even his life.
Wang Ning knelt down and bowed: "Your Majesty, I respect your order."
"Very good." Emperor Hongwu raised his hand, "Marquis Yongchun, please stand up."
Wang Ning stood up.
Emperor Hongwu clapped his hands and said, "Hu Siyan, come out."
Hu Shanwei came out from behind the screen. Yes, she heard everything clearly from beginning to end.
She stood behind the screen, quietly waiting for her premonition to become a reality bit by bit. The emperor couldn't ask her about marriage for no reason. Wang Ning was too outstanding. He might become the first commoner-born son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty.
When that moment finally came, she did not feel the pain she had expected. On the contrary, she felt a sense of relief. Now, finally, it was over.
Her love with Wang Ning is like a feast, with all five flavors, sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty, which is unforgettable, but all good things must come to an end.
Not all love can last forever, and not all lovers can become spouses. But being an official is different. As long as you give, you will get something in return.
Hu Shanwei was a low-ranking official, so he bowed first and said, "Congratulations, Earl Yongchun."
Wang Ning returned the greeting, "Thank you, Hu Siyan."
"Since both of you have let go, the matter is over." Emperor Hongwu asked Hu Shanwei, "Are you willing to marry Princess Huaiqing to the princess's mansion?"
Your Majesty's heart is as deep as the sea. I don't know if you are really relieved or testing me. Hu Shanwei smiled with all his strength, "I am honored."
Wang Ning also pondered the meaning of Emperor Hongwu and bowed to Hu Shanwei, "Then I'll trouble you, Hu Siyan."
In June of the fourteenth year of Hongwu, Princess Huaiqing got married.
All the princesses were married off from Donghua Gate. Hu Shanwei, as the ceremonial officer, guided the princesses from Yiku Palace and took sedan chairs to Donghua Gate.
Outside Donghua Gate, the princess's ceremonial procession was ready, with thirty-six female musicians from the Jiaofang Bureau playing music along the way. Emperor Hongwu personally escorted the bridal sedan to Donghua Gate, but he was still a little reluctant, so he made an exception and ordered Crown Prince Zhu Biao to escort Huaiqing to the newly built princess residence.
Hu Shanwei ordered people to set up an incense table on the platform of the princess's mansion, where female musicians played music.
Wang Ning entered the central hall from the left door, and Hu Shanwei supported Princess Huaiqing, who was wearing a full set of princess crown and clothes, and walked out.
Hu Shanwei stood by and sang the ceremony: "The princess and her husband bow to heaven and earth, one bow, two bows..."
There are eight bows in total, and the ceremony is over.
Hu Shanwei sang again: "Princess, please take a seat."
Princess Huaiqing sat in the east seat, and Hu Shanwei said, "Please pay your respects to the princess four times, my husband."
The princess is the monarch and the prince consort is the minister. Even if they are husband and wife, they must follow the etiquette of monarch and minister.
Wang Ning bowed four times. The princess bowed twice while sitting according to the rules, and then bowed twice while standing.
Hu Shanwei said: "Please, Princess, thank you twice."
After that, the couple held the wedding ceremony and drank fine wine together, which was no different from the common folk custom.
After the ceremony, Hu Shanwei completed his mission and Princess Huaiqing gave him generous gifts of gold, silver, cloth and other items.
Hu Shanwei thanked him and said auspicious words, "I wish the princess and her husband a happy marriage and a son soon."
The author has something to say: The second time the shoe finally dropped, I cried for goodness. It is better to just focus on getting promoted, the world is not worth it~
Don't be misled by a certain TV drama. Princess Taiping and her first husband, Xue Shao, were married and had four children. The second husband, Wu Youji, was the original wife whom Wu Zetian ordered to be killed.
Tonight we will give out 100 red envelopes, and there will be a 100-point big red envelope prize question. The rule is still that the first reader to answer correctly will receive the big red envelope.
Wang Xianzhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was forced to divorce his wife and marry Princess Xin'an. So now the question is, who is Wang Xianzhi's father
a Wang Caozhi b Wang Xuanzhi c Wang Ningzhi d Wang Xizhi