Shen Zechuan entered with others and knelt outside the curtain.
Emperor Xiande was half leaning against the head of the bed, and his wife was sitting beside the bed. Pan Rugui held the decoction and stepped back a little, revealing Shen Zechuan's figure.
Emperor Xiande cheered up and said, "The inspector of the Eighth Battalion said that he saw your handyman appearing by the pool. I ask you, what is he doing there?"
Shen Zechuan said, "Report to the emperor, Uncle Ge is waiting for Eunuch Fu in the palace."
"Whose orders did he get?"
Shen Zechuan paused, knocked down, and said, "It's the order of the sinner."
Emperor Xiande coughed a few times and said, "You are imprisoned in Zhaosin Temple, and you have to send food and clothing every month. How can you have anything to do with Xiao Fuzi?"
"The emperor is deeply in love, and the quasi-criminal ministers are facing the wall in Zhaosin Temple. The emperor not only bestowed his holy grace, but also gave him food. It's just that in recent days, the guilty ministers have been plagued by wind and cold. When Shen Zechuan said this, he seemed to be sad, "Although I have provided meals, there is no medicine. Uncle Ge has been on duty in Zhaosin Temple for a long time. Seeing that the sinners are pitiful, he asked Fu Gonggong, who went out of the palace to buy them. , to ask for some medicine for the sinful minister. With this time, the sinful minister asked Uncle Ge to ask for a blessing for the father-in-law and buy some blessing oil lamps for the sinful minister."
"There is no one in your family." The Queen Mother asked, "What do you want the blessing oil lamp for?"
"Sinners knew that their guilt was monstrous, and prayed day and night for the emperor and the empress dowager in the temple, and also recited sutras day and night for the loyal martyrs who fought in the Battle of Zhongbo Chashi." Shen Zechuan said piously, and said, "Sinners plant seeds in the temple. I bought some vegetables and asked Uncle Ge to vend at the morning market, in exchange for a few coins. The sinner is already sick, so instead of using money to buy medicine, it is better to exchange it for a blessing oil lamp."
The queen mother sighed: "Although you are guilty, you are not unforgivable."
Emperor Xiande narrowed his eyes tiredly, and said, "Xiao Fuzi is dead now, do you know who he has had festivals with?"
Shen Zechuan shook his head and said in a low voice, "Although the sinner dared to ask Eunuch Fu to buy a lamp, he has never met or sent a letter to Eunuch Fu."
"What about you?" Emperor Xiande gestured to Ji Gang, "Tell me, has he mentioned anything in his daily life?"
Ji Gang didn't dare to face the emperor directly, and replied in shock and fear like a common servant: "If you go back to the emperor, Fugong Fair Sunrise Palace will be purchased. The schedule is busy, and most of them are to send the people who are serving around them to meet the villain."
When Emperor Xiande heard this, he seemed to laugh at himself, and glanced at Pan Rugui who looked like a clay sculpture and wood carving.
Ji Gang went on to say: "Only one time, when the villain greeted Eunuch Fu in front of the sedan chair, he heard what Eunuch Fu and the left and right said that His Highness was so embarrassed that he wanted to trouble him. At that time, the villain was anxious to hand over the money for the purchase of the oil lamp to Eunuch Fu. So I got closer. It's just that Eunuch Fu was busy that day, so he asked the villain to come to Xiyuan to wait for him today, which is why the military gentlemen saw the villain wandering around the pool."
Pan Rugui said: "You can hear clearly, it's 'His Royal Highness', not someone else?"
Ji Gang repeatedly kowtowed and said, "Don't dare to deceive the emperor. There were many people who saw the villain in the market that day. Just ask, and you will know that the villain is not telling a lie."
Emperor Xiande was silent for a long time, and the smell of medicine was very strong in the house. The empress dowager covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, leaned over, and said to Emperor Xiande: "Your Majesty, is there any premeditated death of Xiao Fuzi? You can't just listen to Xiao Chiye's words. This case happened just a few steps from the holy car. Besides, if it is true that what people say is that the King of Chu wants Xiao Fuzi's life, then why should Xiao Chiye be so prevaricious?"
"Your Majesty." Pan Rugui also said softly, "Xiao Fuzi's life is not a pity, if the King of Chu kills him because of personal grudges, that's all, I'm afraid things are not that simple. There are so many days, why didn't the King of Chu choose another day, but today?"
Emperor Xiande suddenly coughed violently again. He pushed away Pan Rugui's hand and wiped the blood with a handkerchief. No one looked at him and said, "Jianheng is my own younger brother, and I understand his temperament best. Since this case is already like this, let Ji Lei close it. It's all about Xiaofuzi's arrogance, violating etiquette, and making people jealous. He punished Aye for half a month in the mansion, and punished Ji Lei and Xi Gu'an for their salary for three months! Pan Rugui, you Go and spread the word, and let them go when you're done."
"This..." Pan Rugui looked at the queen mother.
The queen mother did not speak.
Emperor Xiande looked at the Empress Dowager and said earnestly: "Empress Mother, now is a time of trouble. Autumn is approaching, borders are unstable, and there are more and more frictions in the mutual market. Libei, Qidong, and border counties all need to stabilize the military. , accidentally hurt the border, and it is the people of Liming who suffer. Although the pain of Zhongbo has passed, the shame of Zhongbo has not yet been washed away. Mother, this case should not be delayed for a long time, lest it hurt people's hearts. "
Empress Dowager expressed concern, tucked the quilt for Emperor Xiande, and said, "The emperor has not recovered from his illness, but he still cares about state affairs. This is the blessing of the country and society. Pan Rugui, you go."
Pan Rugui responded and slowly exited the door.
The queen mother said: "According to Aijia's point of view, this Shen family's eighth son repented wholeheartedly, and was completely different from that Shen Wei. He was a useful child."
Emperor Xiande said, "He's not in good health, and I'm afraid he won't be able to do any jobs, so he should stay in the temple and recuperate."
But the queen mother slowly put down her hand and said: "The emperor is right. But people have already come out, and then sending them back for no reason will inevitably cause people to suspect the case. Isn't that the opposite of what the emperor asked?"
Emperor Xiande smiled, turned his head and said to Shen Zechuan: "The empress dowager's love is very important, you must keep it in your heart in the future, and don't go to the old dust of your unfaithful and unfilial father. Just go to Jinyiwei, the twelve schools are of different importance. , of course there are things you can do."
Shen Zechuan bowed his head and thanked Long En.
After everyone left, Emperor Xiande crouched on the edge of the bed and vomited out all the medicine he had just drank. The quilt covering his hands was already wrinkled. The lights in the house were dim, and Emperor Xiande's face was blue, already seriously ill.
The Queen Mother was supported by Pan Rugui and walked on the water corridor. Hua Xiangyi held the newly picked hibiscus and followed far behind with the servant girls she served.
"The emperor has become more and more arbitrary since his last illness." The queen mother walked slowly and said, "How can someone who is seriously ill be able to work on state affairs?"
"The so-called illness is like a mountain." Pan Rugui said, "The emperor is also anxious."
"When the Aijia chose Jianyun, it was because he valued his gentleness, elegance, and obedience. Although he has been sick all these years, he has done his best." The queen mother looked at Pan Rugui and said, "But who would have thought that he was so afraid. Xiao family. Every time I make a decision, I always think that no one will be offended, but there is no such thing in the world."
"In the end, I have to obey your orders." Pan Rugui said, "In a few days, when the concubine Wei has a child, the queen mother will no longer have to worry."
The Empress Dowager turned her hand, patted Pan Rugui's arm lightly, and said meaningfully, "Before Wei Concubine got a son, the emperor's body will need to be watched over by you from time to time."
"I got the Queen Mother's order," Pan Rugui said, "the servant is careful."
* * *
When Shen Zechuan came out, the people outside had almost dispersed. He and Ji Gang descended the steps one after the other and saw Xiao Chiye riding his horse away.
"Isn't the forbidden army abolished?" Shen Zechuan looked at Xiao Chiye's waist and legs and said, "But looking at his appearance, it is clear that he has not worked hard."
"Good at riding and shooting." Ji Gang squinted his eyes and looked at it for a while, "I just don't know how strong this kid is. If he was able to pull the big bow of the sky five years ago, now I'm afraid it will be even stronger. Chuan'er, no As a last resort, don't fight him lightly."
Shen Zechuan didn't answer, but he didn't prevent the man who was about to turn the corner suddenly rein in his horse and hit his horse straight at him.
Shen Zechuan only looked at Xiao Chiye, neither hiding nor letting go. Xiao Chi's wild horse came to him and brushed past him violently. Shen Zechuan's sleeve robe was stirred up by the wind, and fell down after a while.
"What does this case have to do with you?" Xiao Chiye's horse circled around Shen Zechuan.
"It has nothing to do with me." Shen Zechuan smiled at him again, "but it has something to do with the second son."
"Pan Rugui lost the dog, and I lost my head. No one has any benefit today, so I asked you to pick it up." Xiao Chiye leaned over from the horse to look at him, "How can someone with a tough life be lucky? so good?"
"This is the second son's extravagance." Shen Zechuan also looked at him and said humbly, "If it wasn't for the second son, how could I have come out?"
Xiao Chiye's eyes were cold, and he said, "You are well-informed."
"A little trick." Shen Zechuan said.
Xiao Chiye looked at the sky, Hai Dongqing came back after catching a bird, and was coiling up in the sky for a reward.
"It doesn't matter if it comes out." Xiao Chiye whistled, and Hai Dongqing immediately landed on the tile, kicked the sparrow, and tore it into pieces. He looked at Shen Zechuan again, "Hadu is so big, he always has to have fun."
"A noble person is a noble person," Shen Zechuan said, "What fun is looking for is different from others, eating, drinking, prostitution, gambling is not in the eyes, you have to play with others. But Lele alone is not as good as everyone, only me to accompany the second son, it is so boring ."
"I'm looking at you," Xiao Chiye squeezed his horse whip and twitched the corners of his mouth, "I think it's very fun, and I need others to mix it up."
Shen Zechuan said, "How can I bear this? I have found many friends for the second son."
"It's better to worry about yourself than to worry about me." Xiao Chiye retracted his gaze, "Jin Yiwei has a good future, Ji Lei loves you so much, he will definitely be waiting for your visit."
Shen Zechuan chuckled softly, he looked at Xiao Chiye, his eyes were full of laughter, and he said warmly, "You and I are both fish and cage birds. I have a good future, aren't you also in Anle Township? I am. Don't worry, feel free to be alone. Second Young Master, can you do it too?"
The lanterns on both sides hang high, making Shen Zechuan more and more beautiful. Haidongqing finished eating the flesh and blood, and fell back to Xiao Chiye's shoulder.
"Since it's a pond fish cage bird," Xiao Chiye brushed off the ashes between Haidong Qingyu, "what else do you pretend to be comfortable with?"
* * *
In the evening, Shen Zechuan returned to the temple, took the medicine, and sat in the courtyard with Mrs. Qi separated by a couple of pairs.
Ji Gang built a small yard in Zhaosin Temple, and at the request of Master Qi, he planted some bamboo and built a vegetable garden. Sitting outside in the summer night is very comfortable.
"Your Majesty doesn't want to get into the details." Shen Zechuan said, "In order to protect the King of Chu, he allowed me to go out. Sir, he predicts things like God."
"God is not a god, and we can't make a conclusion yet." Taifu Qi slapped his chess pieces, smacking his lips, and said, "Last time, I said that the emperor could not afford to be ill since the beginning of the year. He is in his prime now, and he has a hospital. On the contrary, he is even weaker than when he was in the hideout, and Pan Rugui can be said to have contributed greatly."
Ji Gang squatted at the door to grind a stone and said, "The anger is 80% at them, and even Ji Lei was punished. Obviously, he has hated it for a long time."
"If a person feels that his time is short, he will be more courageous." Mrs. Qi said, "As an emperor like this, he has been making compromises all his life."
"The queen mother doesn't like the king of Chu, but now only the king of Chu can ascend to the throne. Today, Ji Lei took a few bites to the king of Chu, if he gets Pan Rugui's instigation," Shen Zechuan said with a frown, "I will Believe it, since Pan Rugui has the heart to put the King of Chu to death, he must have no worries. There are other imperial heirs in the palace, which are far easier to control than the King of Chu."
"The first emperor is self-disciplined," Ji Gang said after blowing his ashes, "I can't. Besides, if there really is an emperor's heir, how can he hide it all these years?"
"As long as the blood of the Li family flows, it is the emperor's heir." Taifu Qi knocked on the chess piece and said, "There is no previous emperor, but the current one can't have another one? Once the harem gives birth to the emperor's heir, this one will be angry. Absolutely, the queen mother will be able to take a swaddle baby to the court, and even the bead curtain does not need to be hung. When Hua Siqian is appointed a minister of Gu Gu, then Da Zhou will really have the surname Hua. "
"But Xiao Chiye has a good relationship with the King of Chu, and the King of Chu has nothing to do with the Xiao family." Shen Zechuan rubbed the chess pieces, "Li Bei will not sit idly by. As long as the King of Chu is still alive, Xiao Ji Ming and Bianjun Lu Guangbai will be able to force the capital. How can the eight major battalions be able to fight this battle?"
Mrs. Qi pressed Xiaoji with his elbow, digging his messy head, and said, "Lan Zhou, confused! The Queen Mother couldn't think of it, what did they want Xiao Chiye to do five years ago? With Xiao Chiye in hand, Xiao Jiming How dare you act rashly. The eight major battalions of Qidu can't win against the Libei Iron Cavalry, so what about the Qidong garrison? There is no reason for the Qi family to interfere in this battle. For the word 'loyalty', Qi Zhuyin will also send troops to stop Xiao Jiming. "
Seeing that Shen Zechuan was silent, Ji Gang said, "Isn't the Sage still dead today, what are you worried about! What's important is tomorrow, tomorrow Chuan'er will go to Jinyiwei, and when he arrives under Ji Lei's hands, I'm worried."
"That's why I said that I didn't expect things to happen!" Mrs. Qi said impatiently, "The emperor put Lanzhou in Jinyiwei. He achieved his own purpose and obeyed the queen mother's wishes. But he really didn't want to. Remember who interrogated Lan Zhou when he was in prison? What do you think he planned to meet? I have something to ask you, Ji Gang! When you found Xiao Fuzi today, was he really angry?"
Ji Gang wiped the pebble on his fingertips, and after being silent for a while, he said, "It's hard to say, the time is too short to check it out."
"That's right." Mrs. Qi looked at Shen Zechuan, "Think about it, if Xiao Fuzi died before we attacked - then who did it?"