Red sleeves add tea, and the fragrant breeze fills the nose.
Luo Qingzhou sat upright, with a serious expression on his face and his eyes not looking away.
Nangong Huoyue was silent for a long time, then suddenly sighed, looked at him and said, "Sir, in this situation, what do you think I should do?"
Luo Qingzhou hesitated for a moment, then met her gaze and asked, "What result does Your Highness want?"
Nangong Huoyue paused and said frankly: "The world."
Luo Qingzhou's mind flashed back to the words and actions of the young emperor. After thinking for a while, he asked, "Your Highness was forced to do this?"
Nangong Huoyue was silent for a moment, then said, "Sir, you saw it after only meeting me once?"
Luo Qingzhou said: "Your Highness is too outstanding, and his brilliance is too great. From the time of the previous emperor until now, I'm afraid he has been overwhelmed, right? Otherwise, considering the relationship between the two of you, and his age and status, you wouldn't have used that tone and attitude."
Nangong Huoyue's face showed a bitter look. Her slender fingers stroked the edge of the tea and she said slowly: "My father has always praised me and rewarded me since I was a child, but he rarely gave him anything. I thought that we were siblings, and I was a woman, so he would only be happy for me. After all, my glory is also his glory. At that time, my mother quietly told me to try my best to please my father and fight for the position of crown prince for him. I worked hard to learn the art of war and various combat skills. I watched the battle with the army at the age of twelve and led an army alone at the age of fifteen. Over the years, I have fought in many battles in the south and the north, won countless honors, and also won the love and recognition of my father. Before my father passed away, he finally passed the throne to him..."
"But since then, I have felt that the distance between him and me has become greater and greater, and our relationship has become more and more unfamiliar. Although he still smiles when he sees me, and still listens to my words..."
"Since he ascended the throne, his personality has changed drastically. He changes his policies at will. When I tell him to, he changes immediately, but soon changes back... He says it was the Queen Mother's idea, and the Queen Mother also says it was her own idea..."
"The talents I recommended and the policies I discussed with the ministers were gradually relegated and ignored... In the end, I gradually realized that he was actually doing the opposite of me. The more I disliked and disagreed with something, the more he liked to do it secretly..."
"I thought about it for a long time and felt that I might have been interfering too much. After all, he was the emperor. So I let go and stopped interfering. However, the people he chose for the country and the policies he implemented became more and more outrageous. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I quietly told my mother, hoping that she could persuade him... But my mother seemed to be afraid of something and began to guard against me. She always tried to persuade me in a roundabout way, hoping that I would give up the fiefdom and army given to me by my father and let me stay in this palace wholeheartedly..."
"I like the army, I have liked it since I was a child, but for him and this country, I can give it up, but not now. My father also left a will before his death, my fiefdom and army must not be withdrawn unless he truly grows up and matures..."
"My mother has been trying to send people to infiltrate my army and kingdom for the past two years, but she has never succeeded. She still hasn't given up."
"Of course, what they fear the most is not only that I have an army and a kingdom, but I also have another will from my father. If he is incompetent, I can exercise the power to depose and enthrone him."
"But I never thought of using this will. After all, he is my closest person. But in their eyes, I am just the biggest threat..."
"I don't understand why they treated me like this. I was clearly trying to help them, to serve the country, and to serve the people..."
It seemed like the first time that Nangong Huoyue spoke so many words to someone, and also like the first time that she revealed her true feelings. At the end, her voice trembled slightly and her eyes misted over.
Huagu knelt aside, head lowered, silent and quiet, like a sculpture.
Luo Qingzhou sat opposite and listened quietly.
After she finished speaking, she continued, "Sir, do you think I am wrong?"
Luo Qingzhou was silent for a moment, and then said, "Your Highness's only fault is that he is too outstanding. There can't be two tigers in one mountain, and there can't be two masters in one country. Although Your Highness is only the eldest princess, Your Highness's power and influence have threatened them, and can even overthrow them. Although Your Highness is the closest person to them, Your Highness should know that under the control of power and interests, any relationship is weak. People have jealousy, a sense of crisis, a desire to win, a desire to compare, and other emotions and desires. Your Highness's excellence has added these emotions to him. They have been buried in his heart since he was a child, and now they have taken root and are difficult to eradicate..."
Nangong Huoyue picked up the teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "So I thought about it for a long time and made a decision. I would rather let the world curse me and let myself be infamous in history books for thousands of years than let Da Yan be wantonly ruined and tormented by them."
Luo Qingzhou looked at her and said, "Those who are truly good to the country and the people will never be infamous for thousands of years. History books may distort the facts, but the people have a scale in their hearts. The facts will never be buried, but will only be passed down."
Nangong Huoyue lowered her head slightly: "But, I am a woman..."
Luo Qingzhou said: "Women are also human beings. Women also have hands and feet, and have blood-red hearts. Are all human beings in this world born by men? Is everything in this world maintained by men? What men can do, what men can sit in, why can't women do it? Regardless of whether they are men or women, as long as they are good enough, they should get what they deserve."
As soon as these words were spoken, the flames in Nangong Huoyue's eyes suddenly rose.
Hua Gu, who was kneeling beside him, couldn't help but raise her head and looked at him with watery eyes.
Nangong Huoyue clenched her fists in her sleeves, and with hesitation in her eyes, she said, "Sir, your thoughts do not represent the thoughts of the people and officials of Da Yan. I have an army, prestige, and territory, but... I have no legitimate reason to fight, and I have a close relationship with him. I am afraid that I will be deserted by everyone and be condemned by everyone."
Luo Qingzhou said: "If God wants to destroy someone, he must first make him mad. Your Highness also said that his current way of governing the country has big problems. Many upright officials and people will keep this in mind silently. Your Highness can also add fuel to the fire and give him some east wind to make this fire burn more vigorously... The emergence of the border monster tribe is actually a very good east wind, Your Highness can use it... In addition, Your Highness can now suspend the policy of reducing the title, and then push forward a person to help him reduce the power of the vassal..."
"Reduce the feudal lords?"
Nangong Huoyue was slightly startled when she heard this.
Luo Qingzhou continued: "First, let him stir up the dissatisfaction of the officials, then let him stir up the dissatisfaction of the people, and finally, let him stir up the dissatisfaction of the other princes..."
Nangong Huoyue pondered for a moment and said, "He has already started to reduce the power of the vassal states and consolidate power, but the effect is not great and he dare not be too obvious."
Luo Qingzhou said: "Your Highness can ask someone to give him some advice to make the effect even greater."
Nangong Huoyue shook her head and said, "If the effect is too great, it might cause dissatisfaction among other vassal kings. He is not that stupid."
Luo Qingzhou stroked the teacup and said slowly: "Your Highness, have you heard of the Enfeoffment Order?"
"The Enfeoffment Order?"
Nangong Huoyue frowned slightly and asked in confusion: "What is this?"
Luo Qingzhou said: "This policy of reducing the power of the vassal states, according to the current decree, is that after the death of each prince, the throne and fiefdom can only be passed on to the eldest son, and the other sons of the prince will not benefit. The policy of the Enfeoffment Order is that after the death of a prince, in addition to the eldest son inheriting the throne, the other sons can also divide a part of the kingdom's land and become marquises, governed by county governors. In that case, the vassal states will become smaller and smaller, and there will be no need to worry about them."
"The advantage of this decree is that even if the princes know that this is a very cruel policy of reducing the power of the vassal states, they have nothing to say and can do nothing about it. Because this is a decree of grace, except for the eldest son, it is good for all other sons. Even if the princes want to resist, his sons will never be willing. Once he insists on not obeying this decree, unless he kills all his other sons before he dies, otherwise, the vassal states will inevitably fall into chaos. The princes who are slightly smarter can only accept it silently in order to preserve their bloodlines..."
After Nangong Huoyue heard this, her face changed for a long time, and then she looked at him and said, "Sir, this plan is so vicious. I can even imagine how desperate and angry those princes were when they heard this decree. Of course, I can also imagine how excited he and the court officials were when they heard this plan..."
Then he stood up, bowed and said, "Sir, you are indeed a great talent! No one else can come up with such a shocking plan except you."
Luo Qingzhou bowed in return and reminded: "Your Highness, you must not tell this plan to yourself. You must find a reliable person to propose it. When the other princes begin to feel dissatisfied and angry, the time will be ripe..."
"Also, Your Highness, it would have been better for you to start your army outside at that time, in the name of clearing the court of corrupt officials, rather than staging a coup in the palace. That way, you wouldn't have been criticized..."
The two of them chatted and lost track of time.
Nangong Huoyue's eyes were burning as she listened to his various plans. The fire in her heart was burning more and more vigorously, and the expression in her eyes was becoming more and more determined...
The night passes quietly.
Until four o'clock in the morning.
Nangong Huoyue stood up with a feeling of unfulfilled desire, and said with a folded hand: "What you said tonight was a wake-up call to me. It made me suddenly enlightened and more resolute. I am very fortunate to have received your guidance and help. I am very grateful."
At this point, she glanced out the window and added, "I wanted to chat with you all night, but I really can't bear to tire you out. It's getting late, you should go and rest."
Hua Gu on the side stood up and bowed his head.
Luo Qingzhou's eyelids jumped, he glanced at her, and immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, Qingzhou is not sleepy. I'm just talking about something interesting. Let's continue."
Nangong Huoyue smiled and said, "Sir, are you afraid of Huagu?"
Luo Qingzhou remained silent.
Nangong Huoyue smiled and said, "Sir, go ahead and have a good rest. It's time for me to rest too."
Luo Qingzhou had no choice but to stand up and beg with his head down: "Your Highness, tonight is the wedding night of Qingzhou and my wife. My wife is still alone in the bridal chamber. Qingzhou dare not sleep with other women at this time."
Nangong Huoyue's smile faded slightly, and a complex look appeared in her eyes. She couldn't help but say, "Mr. Qin is well-versed in classics and has great talent, but he can stick to his heart and care about his wife, not distracted by other things. I have to sigh again that the Qin family is so lucky to have found someone like him."
After a pause, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir. I won't force you. Hua Gu will only take you to the room and will never stay there for a moment. I can guarantee that. Of course, if you want her, she will naturally stay and serve you well."
Luo Qingzhou was slightly startled when he heard this, he looked up at her, no longer doubting her, and said respectfully: "Thank you, Your Highness."
Hua Gu said respectfully, "Sir, please follow Hua Gu."
She lowered her head and walked in front in a gentle manner.
Luo Qingzhou bowed to the princess again and left.
Nangong Huoyue watched his back disappear beyond the beaded curtain. The smile on her face gradually faded. After a pause, she murmured with a complicated expression: "Senior sister, senior sister, how can I not be tempted by such a person..."
Luo Qingzhou followed Hua Gu out the door, crossed the corridor, and went to the guardhouse at the back.
Soon, we arrived at the small waterside pavilion we were at last time.
Luo Qingzhou's heart skipped a beat and he stopped.
Hua Gu took the lantern and walked a few more steps before turning around and saying softly, "Sir, His Highness has already said that he will not force you. Hua Gu is just a servant, how dare I disobey his orders?"
Luo Qingzhou stared into her eyes for a moment before continuing to follow her.
Huagu moved with lotus steps and brought him to the door of the small building.
Luo Qingzhou suddenly discovered that there was a big "囍" character pasted on the door.
"Squeak..."
Hua Gu pushed the door open, stepped aside, lowered her head, and said softly, "I wish you a happy wedding, and I also wish you and Miss Qin to live in harmony, grow old together, and have a son soon."
Luo Qingzhou was stunned for a moment, as if he suddenly thought of something, and immediately walked quickly into the house.
The room was covered with red carpets and hung with red curtains. Big red wedding characters were posted on the walls, wardrobes, and dressing tables. In the innermost room was a beautiful bed with red candles lit at the head of the bed. Flower petals were scattered on the ground beside the bed, and the bed curtains were hung with red love knots.
Next to the bed, a bride in a bright red wedding gown and a red veil sat quietly...
"Squeak..."
The door closed behind him.
Hua Gu retreated silently.