After pretending to be sick for a few days, on the fifth day of returning to Beijing, Song Jianing and Zhao Heng, with their children, went to the palace to visit Emperor Xuande.
Emperor Xuande is still taking medication, but he has been able to serve as a director of the court. For Song Jianing, his daughter-in-law, Emperor Xuande's deepest impression is that she is beautiful and plump. Now that her daughter-in-law is so thin, it really looks like a serious illness. Emperor Xuande was killed by Wu The dissatisfaction aroused by the imperial concubine disappeared. She hugged Zhao Zhao, who was cute and well-behaved, and encouraged Song Jianing.
After seeing the emperor's father-in-law, Zhao Heng stayed in the Chongzheng Hall to accompany Emperor Xuande to discuss politics, and Song Jianing took the children to greet Empress Li and Concubine Shu.
Queen Li still spoke softly and kept her face. Song Jianing was polite and came out after staying in the middle palace for a quarter of an hour. On Concubine Shu's side, Song Jianing already knew that Concubine Shu helped her block the two beauties, and thanked her sincerely. Concubine Shu took her hand and said affectionately, "It's all a family, so be polite to my aunt."
Song Jianing nodded with a smile.
Concubine Shu ordered the palace people to make Zhaozhao's favorite pastries, and Zhaozhao accompanied Brother You to play on the warm couch. Concubine Shu looked at the two children, one big and one small, and for some reason, suddenly thought of more than ten years ago. At that time, Tingfang and Duanhui were crawling and playing on the couch, and nephew Guo Xiao was older and stood in front of the couch sensible to prevent the sisters from climbing down.
The past events are vivid in my mind, and Concubine Shu grieved from her heart and sighed with Song Jianing in a low voice: "Seeing Brother Zhaozhaoyou, I thought of Pingzhang and the others when they were children."
Hearing Guo Xiao's words, Song Jianing smiled slightly, and when she saw Concubine Shu's sadness, she comforted her softly.
Concubine Shu wiped the corners of her eyes, forced a smile and said, "I won't mention it anymore, it's just that my aunt has something to ask An An for help."
Song Jianing respectfully said, "Aunt, tell me."
Concubine Shu sighed: "It's been a year, and Duanhui still refuses to go out. She only entered the palace a few times when the emperor was ill. When the emperor recovered, she locked herself up again. An An, my aunt is in the palace, It is inconvenient to walk. You see that you are in good health. If you have time, go to see Duanhui more, and solve her. I feel sorry for Pingzhang's accident, but Duanhui is only eighteen years old. Row?"
Song Jianing was in a complicated mood. Guo Xiao robbed her and caused her to be separated from her family. If she could, she would never want to mention Guo Xiao's name again in her life. She really went to the Princess Mansion and saw Princess Duanhui. Could she not talk about Guo Xiao? It should be said that among all the relatives of Princess Duanhui, she is the least suitable to persuade.
But facing Concubine Shu's sad and worried gaze, Song Jianing couldn't refuse.
"Well, I'll try, but, the princess and me..." Song Jianing smiled bitterly. She wanted to help, but Princess Duanhui might not appreciate it.
Concubine Shu also took a chance. Looking at the two children on the couch, she said, "Bring Zhao Zhaoyou, it's lively and lively, Duanhui is naturally fun, maybe it will be shaken."
Song Jianing nodded.
Back at the palace, the wet nurse led the children to play. Song Jianing walked over to Zhao Heng with tea and mentioned the matter softly.
Zhao Heng didn't think about it, and said directly: "You can send someone to give a gift, you don't have to go."
Song Jianing hesitated: "On the Empress's side..." Concubine Shu helped her anyway, the lord didn't care, Song Jianing was very grateful, otherwise, it was given by the emperor and the queen for two more beauties. Even if the lord did not touch, there were two sides The concubine or concubine's room was standing there, and she was panicked.
Zhao Heng waved to her.
Song Jianing got up and walked over suspiciously.
Zhao Heng held the person on his lap, looked at her thin face and said, "If you go, you will only be scolded."
Song Jianing didn't believe it. No matter how rude Princess Duanhui was, she would show her favor at Concubine Shu's request, and Princess Duanhui wouldn't come up and scold her.
Zhao Heng kissed the bridge of her pretty nose and said with a smile, "You will know in a few days."
Song Jianing became more and more confused.
Zhao Heng didn't explain any further, and said, "Change your clothes and go to the Duke's Mansion." Mrs. Tai and her mother-in-law were very worried about her. Now that she's back, it's time to meet her.
As soon as she mentioned her return to her parents' home, Song Jianing immediately forgot Princess Duanhui.
The two houses were next to each other, and it didn't take long for Song Jianing to plunge into his mother Lin's arms. Lin's daughter was so thin that she felt very distressed. Of course, she also trained her daughter for a long time. She thought that her daughter would not let her see her face, so Song Jianing pretended to be a fool and fooled her. Turning to Mrs. Tai, Mrs. Tai touched her little granddaughter's hair, looked at it carefully, and asked meaningfully, "Is everything okay with the prince?"
Song Jianing's heart trembled, and she looked nervously at Madam Tai, who only smiled lovingly.
Song Jianing was a little overwhelmed, and said with a guilty conscience: "It's good, the lord told me to eat more and bring it back sooner, so I didn't dislike my rash."
It's good that the husband and wife are in love. Mrs. Tai is relieved and no longer asks about the past, and smiles to amuse brother Zhao Zhaoyou.
The three masters of the Guogong's mansion are all working in the mansion. The twins from the second room were thrown into the army by Guo Boyan for training. Zhao Heng didn't need to be entertained by adults. Visit the National Palace. Brother Mao is nine years old this year and likes to practice martial arts. Ever since he heard that Wang Ye and brother-in-law had made many military exploits in the frontier, Brother Mao admired his brother-in-law and was excited to ask about the situation in the army.
In fact, Brother Mao and Guo Xiao look a bit similar, and they all follow Guo Boyan. In terms of appearance alone, it is difficult for Zhao Heng to like Brother Mao, but who made this child her brother? Zhao Heng could only open his mind and warned himself not to anger his innocent brother-in-law because of Guo Xiao.
Zhao Heng personally mentioned Mao Ge'er's bow and arrow, and after practicing for a while, Zhao Zhao left his younger brother and ran over to play with his uncle. Brother Mao likes his little niece the most, and happily accompanies his niece to watch flowers and catch butterflies. Zhao Heng stood outside the garden with his hands behind his back, watching, and suddenly noticed that when his daughter ran forward recklessly, Brother Mao was careful, ran a few steps quickly, and helped Zhaozhao push away a rose branch that was sticking out diagonally. .
"There are thorns on it." Brother Mao reminded his niece with a flower branch.
"That flower is beautiful!" Zhaozhao just looked forward and ran with a blush.
Brother Mao took the initiative to help his niece pick flowers, and no one took the little things just now to heart.
However, Zhao Heng remembered that on the first day of the new year, Brother Mao gave his daughter the bulging red envelope, which was the New Year's money from his uncle to his niece.
"Father, look, my uncle picked it for me!" Zhaozhao ran over holding a snow-white rose and showed off the newly acquired flower to his father.
This rose blooms really well, it is as big as a sea bowl, the petals are white and delicate, and the fragrance of the flowers is fragrant. Zhao Heng praised it with a smile, and then touched Brother Mao's head.
Brother Mao didn't know what the prince and brother-in-law were thinking, so he had no heart and soul to accompany his niece to find his sister to show off the roses.
King Shou's family stayed in the Guogong's mansion until evening.
When Guo Boyan came back, Song Jianing rushed to the front yard to meet her. Zhao Heng hid a lot from her, so Song Jianing didn't know, Guo Boyan knew she was missing for a long time.
"I made my father worry." Song Jianing said respectfully.
Guo Boyan didn't look at his daughter, looked shamelessly, and lowered his eyes and said, "Princess will be fine, but Madam Tai and your mother are both in a hurry."
Song Jianing bowed his head slightly.
Zhao Heng motioned her to say goodbye to Mrs. Tai and Mrs. Lin again. Song Jianing guessed that the prince had something to say to his stepfather, and resigned and left.
Eunuch Fu and Guo Boyan's cronies also retreated outside the hall, and no one was allowed to approach.
Guo Boyan has been on the battlefield for many years, not afraid of strong enemies or swords. At this moment, Zhao Heng was just sitting on the chair of the master and drinking tea slowly, and Guo Boyan's palms actually sweated. Does the lord have solid evidence to prove that the person who stole his daughter is his Pingzhang? Did the prince kill Pingzhang? Will the prince ask the imperial government to make amends
It shouldn't be, An An is so favored, how can Wang Ye bear to anger Lin Shi and Brother Mao
But that is the prince, the nobles of the heavenly family act, how can ordinary people expect it
He was like standing on the edge of a cliff, the prince could control the lives of everyone in the Guo family with just one word.
"The prince has passed away for a long time, the prince is ready, when will you please seal it up?" Putting down the tea bowl, Zhao Heng asked calmly, his eyes facing the door of the hall.
Guo Boyan seemed to see that boulders suddenly emerged from the bottom of the cliff, filling the cliff under his feet in an instant.
"It's a coincidence that the lord asked. The minister discussed with Mrs. Tai on the Dragon Boat Festival. I want to make Brother Mao the heir when Brother You catches Zhou's Emperor Longyan Dayue." Guo Boyan said with a smile, his expression returning to normal. The old fox for many years, the backbone is not down, there is nothing to make him lose his temper.
Zhao Heng nodded and said solemnly, "Princess only has this younger brother, I hope Duke Guo will take more care and discipline, and don't be negligent."
The muscles under Guo Boyan's eyes jumped down imperceptibly, and his anger raged silently throughout his body. His Pingzhang is already dead, and he has already suffered the consequences. What else does Wangye want? In addition to being confused and paranoid about love affairs, Guo Boyan admits that his Pingzhang has nothing to criticize. Why should Wang Ye insult him
But thinking of his son's death, Guo Boyan's anger subsided again, turning into endless sadness and remorse. The prince was right, he was negligent. When he found out that his son had such thoughts about An An, he should have broken his legs and told him to give up completely.
"The minister obeys." Closing his eyes, Guo Boyan bowed and saluted.
Zhao Heng gave him a cold look, picked up his wife and children and went back to the palace.
That night, Guo Boyan sat alone in the front yard until midnight, before walking to the back yard to find his wife under the moonlight. Lin was in a daze. When she heard the movement, she opened her eyes and saw her husband undress with his back to her. His shoulders were broad, but he was slightly hunched. Lin rubbed his eyes and looked again, her husband was back to normal again, still tall and strong like the year we first met.
"Why so late?" Lin shi sat up and watched him go to bed.
Guo Boyan leaned his back against the head of the bed, took his wife who had been with him for ten years in his arms, rubbed her long hair and said, "I heard some rumors during the day, it has something to do with the position of the prince, I thought about it carefully, wait for Brother You. After holding the Zhou Banquet, I will hand over the book and ask the emperor to make Brother Mao the heir, so that outsiders don’t talk about it.”
Lin's body stiffened. After Guo Xiao's death, she heard some rumors, rumors that Guo Boyan wanted to stand up for his brother Mao, and Mrs. Tai was more partial to the twins of the second room, but Lin's was very clear that Mrs. Tai treated several grandchildren equally, perhaps even more partial to Mao, the youngest. Brother, no one has mentioned the canonization of the heir, because the Guo family has not forgotten the figure that died.
Lin Shi can't forget, her stepson has only been gone for a year, she never thought about those false names, and she didn't want Guo Boyan to think about it, for fear of Guo Boyan thinking about his son's grief.
"Brother Mao is still young..."
Lin wanted to say something, but Guo Boyan pressed her soft lips and interrupted in a low voice: "You don't have to say it, I know it, but Pingzhang is gone, we have to continue on, make an early decision, have a good day. The hearts of every room. I can write letters from Tingfang, the child is the most sensible and won't mind. "
Lin Shi was stuck in her throat and accepted it readily, which seemed ruthless. If she continued to refuse, it would deepen her husband's pain of bereavement.
She could only hug her husband tightly.
Guo Boyan held her hand, and after a long time, his chest bulged high and flattened, and he exhaled a long breath with mixed feelings.
At the end of May, Brother You caught Zhou, and at the beginning of June, Guo Boyan really wrote a letter asking Emperor Xuande to make his second son the heir of the Duke's Mansion.
Mao Ge'er is his legitimate son-in-law, with outstanding facial features and cleverness.
When the news reached the palace, Song Jianing was surprised but not happy, and there was a lingering complexity in his heart. The prince of the prince, the prince she called for seven years in the previous life, became her own brother. She sighed that the two worlds had changed, and the Princess Mansion learned that her cousin's position as the heir was robbed by Mao Ge'er, Princess Duanhui was furious and rushed into the palace to find Emperor Xuande to make trouble.
How could Emperor Xuande be in the mood to manage the heir of the district's government? Because his royal table is full of memorials of ministers asking for the prince.