"Master, Miss brought the eldest princess here and said she wanted to see you."
The servant bowed outside the door and reported that Yin Yan was writing something in the small study in the upper room.
He didn't lift his head when he heard the message, "Please come in quickly, we are all a family, why bother to be so polite."
The servant hurriedly said: "My lord, it's not the eldest princess in our mansion, but the eldest princess of Zhenjiang. The eldest princess came here with Guhou Shizi today, and she said she had something to discuss with the eldest son."
Yin Yan paused the pen in his hand, raised his head to look at the servant, and slowly put the pen on the shelf.
"Princess Zhenjiang wants to see me. Can you hear what the lady said? If it is an ordinary visit, there is no need for it. She is a female guest, and the young lady and Princess Danyang can entertain me. There is no need to come to see me."
The servant thought for a while, "Miss said that she came to see the master for something, it's not like an ordinary visit, does the master want to see you?"
Yin Yan packed up the things on the desk, and slowly said: "She is the eldest princess, I am just a jobless old face, how dare I refuse? Please come in."
He packed his things and walked out, "Meet the guests in the main hall of the upper room."
"Yes, sir."
Yin Jigui led Yufu into the main hall, only to see a vicissitudes old man sitting on the head, so thin that only a handful of bones remained, it was obvious how old Gu Huaijiang was, but he looked senile.
Seeing Yu Fu, he stood up slowly while leaning on his crutches.
After all, he was a prime minister for decades, with a calm and calm posture, and he didn't have much respect for Yufu, the so-called eldest princess.
Yu Fu took advantage of the situation and stepped forward to give him a virtual support, "You are welcome, old prime minister, you are an elder, just sit and talk."
Yin Yan did not refuse, "Then please sit down, the eldest princess, too. The eldest princess is a distinguished guest, Ji Yu, why don't you cook tea for the eldest princess yourself."
Small matters such as cooking tea have always been done by servants, and it is not someone who has no status in the prime minister's house, and Yin Yan has never let this lady, Yin Jixie, cook tea herself.
This is not to respect Yufu's identity, it is clearly to distract himself.
Yin Jiqian also hoped to say a few words to Yufu here, so she naturally refused to leave easily, "Father, the eldest princess is easy-going, so there is no need to cook tea—"
Yin Yan glanced at her sharply, "Why don't you go soon?"
Yin Jixiu looked at Yu Fu's face, the latter nodded slightly towards her, and she backed away.
After retreating from everyone, Yin Yan's expression became more alienated, "I don't know why the eldest princess came to see the old man on purpose?"
He cut straight to the point, and Yu Fu expressed his feelings directly, "The old prime minister must have heard about what happened in the palace last night. Your majesty is still young, and occasionally you have absurd ideas and you need to be persuaded by the old minister. I wonder if the old prime minister has any intention of admonishing him? "
Yin Yan's expression remained unchanged, "Princess was joking, the old man has long since lost his official position, and now he is just an ordinary old man, how can he have the ability to persuade His Majesty? Take it easy to persuade His Majesty, even what happened in the palace last night, the old man would not Not at all."
He pushed it backwards, but it's a pity that Yin Jiqian betrayed him long ago.
Yu Fu smiled, "Why should the old prime minister be so wary of me? I know it's impossible for the old prime minister to be ignorant of what happened in the palace last night. Now the news is spread all over the streets and alleys of the imperial capital, not to mention that the old prime minister is in the center of power in the imperial capital— What about Xiangfu?"
Yin Yan's eyes flashed, but he didn't speak.
Yu Fu said again: "The old prime minister and the general have always been at odds. I am the adopted daughter of the general. It is right for the old prime minister to refuse to tell the truth. It's just that although the old prime minister doesn't believe in the general, the general has always respected you as talented. , Your majestic prime minister. Like the general, I believe that you are so loyal to the emperor that it is impossible for you to remain indifferent to His Majesty's actions."
Yin Yan's expression softened slightly, "How does Gu Hou evaluate this old man?"
Yu Fu answered truthfully, "Yes, the general has never been hostile to the old prime minister, but he always felt that when you were in office, you managed the court properly and were worthy of a great responsibility."
It was only then that Yin Yan looked at Yufu seriously. On the big day of the first day of the new year, she wore a plain white long skirt and a black cloak over her head, which was elegant and clean.
This kind of attire is considered taboo by others, but it is very comfortable for Yin Yan, knowing that she is keeping a filial piety for the late emperor.
A princess who was not of the late emperor's blood was able to restrain a woman's natural love of beauty and serve the late emperor plainly, but Ning Chengzhi feasted and feasted in the palace.
He opened his mouth slowly, his voice softer than before, "I heard that last night the Eldest Princess advised Your Majesty to have a moderate banquet as a show of respect for the late Emperor, and politely rejected His Majesty's will to establish a queen. Today, I will tell the Eldest Princess a few words of truth." , but not for the sake of Marquis Gu, but for the filial piety of the eldest princess to the late emperor, and the integrity of not being greedy for glory."
Yin Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and Yu Fu also breathed a sigh of relief.
She said: "Since this is the case, I will tell the old prime minister the truth. I am the one who was bestowed by the late emperor to marry Gu Hou's son. It is disrespectful for a son to disobey his father's order. Your Majesty's move is really disrespectful to the late emperor. If the old prime minister also If you think so, can you write to His Majesty to persuade him to change his mind?"
Yin Yan only dared to be sure when he heard that, Yu Fu came to ask him to dissuade His Majesty's will.
As long as she covets the power and glory of the queen, she will not seek it from herself, the opponent of Guhou's mansion. Yin Yan feels that she has wronged her too much in the past.
In his eyes, the woman with unknown origin and hidden conspiracy has such a boldness to look down on power and position!
Yin Yan asked himself, he, a man in his fifties, was no match for Yufu, who was not yet as good as he was, it was really embarrassing.
He thought for a moment, "As a minister, he should advise His Majesty's injustice. But did the eldest princess find the wrong person? I have no power or position now, even if I write a letter, can His Majesty listen to me? Gu Hou has a lot of contacts in the court, Like Elder Ji and the cabinet ministers, the princess should ask them to advise His Majesty."
Yu Fu said: "The old prime minister is among them, you should know who is the minister who is most favored by His Majesty. The cabinet was established when the late emperor was in power, and now it has no power like a false title. Mr. Ji is old, and the general Today, I have entered the palace to persuade His Majesty. If the old prime minister can convince Prime Minister Yin to join him in admonishing His Majesty, there will definitely be Zhongzheng veteran ministers in the court to second the proposal, and this matter will have great potential!"
Yin Yan's heart moved, and he fell into deep thought.
…
Gu Shubai and Yin Shuo sat opposite each other in the study outside and drank tea.
It was the first time he came to the Prime Minister's mansion, and he looked around, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
Yin Shuo seemed to know what he was thinking, "Is your son thinking, why would I invite you to such an important place as the foreign study?"
While speaking, he pushed the cooked tea to Gu Shubai.
Gu Shubai smiled, "Can't other courtiers also enter the study when they come to the Prime Minister's Mansion? For example, that Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Mr. Liu Zhenliu."
Yin Shuo took a deep look at him, not wanting him to openly investigate the Prime Minister's residence in front of him.
Gu Shubai said: "Why does Prime Minister Yin look at me like this? In terms of familiarity with each other's mansions, Prime Minister Yin is better."
Yin Shuo also smiled, "Yeah, it's all thanks to the generosity of Lord Gu. In the past, when the generals were at odds, my father didn't even bother to do superficial tricks and never invited anyone from the Marquis Gu's house. Master Gu is different. , Whenever I invite courtiers to a banquet, there will always be an invitation card from the Prime Minister's Mansion. Thank you Gu Houye for the invitation, so that I can get acquainted with the situation of the Hou Mansion."
"Whether my father is just trying to show it or really wants the general to govern Dongling peacefully, you know it in your heart. He allowed a person who planned to kill me to come to the gate of the mansion to pretend to be guilty, just hoping that you can govern Dongling well instead of the old prime minister. "
Gu Shubai secretly warned him that they knew that Yin Shuo was responsible for setting up the poisonous ambush in Changzhou mansion, but they let Yin Yan take the blame and resign from office.
Yin Shuo smiled faintly. Times have changed, and he is not worried that Gu Shubai will turn over the old score now, "I have never doubted Gu Houye's loyalty. But the prince—"
"Your Majesty is here today, what can I do?"
Gu Shubai picked up the teacup, Yin Shuo quietly waited for him to speak, as if he knew what he was going to say.
"Other people say that Prime Minister Yin is the most ruthless person. I wonder if it's true or not?"
Yin Shuo was taken aback, wondering why he would ask this, "Anyone else? It's what Ji Kui said. So what if you are ruthless, so what if you are affectionate. The son claims to be affectionate, how can you know that this love can last?"
"I'm not talking about myself, but Yufu."
Yin Shuo's face changed in an instant, Gu Shubai saw it, even if he pretended again, he couldn't escape the truth.
Even if it is fleeting.
Yin Shuo tried his best to maintain a normal expression, "Your Majesty came here for the palace banquet last night. Your Majesty wants to support you as the Empress. Gu Hou's family is full of loyalty and can't disobey the imperial edict. It's really embarrassing for your Majesty to ask for my favor." superior."
The four words of loyalty and righteousness came out of his mouth, which was quite ironic.
Gu Shubai said with a smile: "Why should I beg you? Could it be that Prime Minister Yin expressed his heart to Yu Fu on the day of the wedding, but now he wants to watch His Majesty canonize him indifferently?"
Yin Shuo's momentum suddenly became three points lower.
Yu Fu said everything to Gu Shubai, she even told him such a private matter without reservation, but it was not the case with herself.
Thinking of them being under the same roof every day and being intimate in every way, Yin Shuo felt a fire in his chest that was about to burst out.
He said coldly: "I like Yufu, but give up, I won't help you change His Majesty's mind."
Yin Shuo's refusal was so straightforward, which Gu Shubai never thought of.
He pondered for a moment, and understood Yin Shuo's thoughts.
He hated the Guhou Mansion, and he also knew that no one in the Guhou Mansion wanted Yufu to be conferred the empress, even if the imperial decree came down, the Guhou Mansion would stand in the way.
Yin Shuo can sit back and reap the benefits, and wait to see Gu Houfu and Ning Chengzhi fight to the death.
Gu Shubai sneered, "It seems that I overestimated your liking for Yufu too much. Back then, Yufu clearly told you that you would marry Princess Danyang for the sake of power and position. Such cheap liking is indeed true. It is not worth the risk that Prime Minister Yin will offend His Majesty."
After saying that, he got up, as if he didn't want to talk to Yin Shuo any more.
Yin Shuo immediately stood up, "Don't think that you are the only one who really loves Yufu. I have liked her since the first time I saw her. My feelings for her are no less than yours! It's a pity that Yufu was adopted at the beginning. Guhou's Mansion is not the Prime Minister's Mansion, if I am the one who has a marriage contract with her, I will definitely risk my life and not let Your Majesty canonize her!"
Gu Shubai's smile contained a bit of contempt, "Why should Prime Minister Yin deceive himself? If you were the one who had a marriage contract with Yufu, you would also be reluctant to give up your official position and power. So you are destined not to get her, even if you have already You can't keep what you get, and you can only hold your power and position as a lonely family in this life!"
Yin Shuo couldn't restrain himself and trembled all over.
What he said he had obtained was nothing more than Princess Danyang and Yin Jiqian, a wife who loved and hated him, and a sister who was used by him and treated harshly by him.
They... he doesn't care.
Yin Shuo suddenly laughed, "Your Majesty, you don't need to use aggressive methods. Since you like Yufu, you should be prepared to do everything for her. I won't try to dissuade Your Majesty for you."
"What if I let you go?"
The old man's hoarse voice suddenly came from outside the study, Yin Shuo was startled, and the door of the study was pushed open.
Yin Yan stood outside the door and listened for some time, Yu Fu stood behind him, and the two walked in one after the other.
Thinking of Yin Yan and Yu Fu hearing what he said just now, Yin Shuo became furious, and looked at the servant outside the door, "Why didn't the master and the eldest princess announce their arrival?!"
The servant was so frightened that he bowed his head and did not dare to agree. Yin Shuo was leaning on a cane, thin and old but still majestic, "It's none of his business. I didn't let him report it. Why, I can't do anything in my house." Servant?"
These words were quite dissatisfied with Yin Shuo, Yin Shuo hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Father, son doesn't mean that, I mean..."
"That's not the meaning, just close the door!" Yin Yan sternly turned around and shouted.
The servant immediately closed the door, Gu Shubai was surprised that Yufu and Yin Yan appeared at the same time, looking at Yufu, Yufu gave him a reassuring look.
The eye contact between the two fell on Yin Shuo's eyes without any surprise, and his expression moved slightly.
Yin Yan saw it in his eyes and hated that iron could not be made into steel.
His son, whom he had always been most proud of, turned out to be as emotional as those dandy boys, and he had his thoughts on Yu.
No wonder when he ambush and assassinate Gu Shubai in Changzhou without telling himself, it turned out that it was not to share his worries, but to be jealous of Yufu!
What makes him even more intolerable is...
"Suo'er, why don't you agree to Shizi's request?"
Yin Shuo frowned, in front of Yu Fu, he couldn't repeat what he just said.
He looked at Yin Yan in embarrassment, not knowing what was going on with him today, to embarrass himself in front of outsiders, especially the people in Gu Hou's mansion.
Yes, it must be what Yu Fu and Yin Yan said!
"You don't have to look at the eldest princess, you just tell the father, why don't you agree to the request of the eldest son?"
Yin Shuo bit the bullet and said, "Didn't father always dislike Guhou's mansion, why did he want his son to help them today?"
Yin Yan tapped his staff on the floor tiles clearly, "This is a personal grievance, how can it be greater than a state matter? Your Majesty wants to canonize the hired daughter as the queen, and the king seizes the minister's wife. This is a serious crime that will be criticized by future generations! As a prime minister , how can you not persuade His Majesty?"
When it comes to the duty of being a minister, Yin Yan has never been negligent. He and Yin Shuo are different people after all.
Facing his father's censure, Yin Shuo felt extremely difficult.
He knows that as long as he takes a step back, many things will be in vain, and he can't back down.
Even if Yin Yan's biological father asked him to retire, he couldn't.
He cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Father, please forgive my son for not obeying his orders."