Less than half a month after Shen Wen returned to the mansion, Zheng Qian picked a time when Shen Zhuo was not around to visit.
The weather was hot, Zheng Qian was wearing a light brown uniform, his face was as white as jade. Yang has always liked this young man, and when she heard that Shen Zhuo was not at home, she greeted him personally, let Zheng Qian sit in the living room, and sent someone to tell Shen Wen in private, asking her to come and have a look.
Shen Wen heard that his mother asked him to dress up and go to the living room, so he guessed that it was Zheng Qian who came. She said in her heart that I feel disgusted when I hear his name, do I still want to see his face? Immediately "shy" and determined not to leave the house, Xiaojiazi was extremely angry. Yang had no choice but to give up. Zheng Qian sat with Yang for a while, and his gentle and polite appearance strengthened Yang's good impression, but he couldn't wait for Shen Wen, so he had to leave.
At night, Shen Wen went to the courtyard.
Now only Du Juan and his two servants live in the courtyard, bored, when he thinks that everyone else is living an exciting life elsewhere, Du Juan frowned, with a resentful expression on his pretty face.
In the middle of the night, someone tapped on the window. Du Juan came to the window, opened a crack, and whispered: "What's the matter?" This is what Zhang Yunzheng repeatedly emphasized: he is not allowed to be in the same room with Miss Shen, he can only stay in the room and talk , can't open the door! It's like guarding against wolves.
Shen Wen had seen Du Juan before, heard his voice, and did not enter the house, but leaned against the window, and quietly told Du Juan to go back and make a few sets of clothes, inside and out, including the inner lining and matching sweat towels, all of which should be completely different One set for Shen Wen compared with Zhang Yunjin's stature, and one set for Du Juan. Make sure they are exactly the same, and then number each set. She only needs to say the number, and Du Juan should know which suit to wear.
Although Du Juan was selected to dress up as a woman for Zhang Yunzheng in the past, in fact, he never really dressed as a woman once. This time, he really wanted to wear women's clothing, and it was not for his son. Du Juan was very upset. willing! Responding sullenly, Shen Wen asked in a low voice outside: "Can you swim?"
Du Juan nodded: "Yes."
Shen Wen asked again: "Can I swim in winter?"
Du Juan replied: "Yes."
Shen Wen was a little worried: "The water freezes in winter, it's very cold."
Du Juan said: "I have been taking cold baths all year round, and I am used to it."
Shen Wen was surprised: "Why?!"
Du Juan said angrily, "For the good of the skin!" He began to take cold baths when he entered the mansion, saying that in this way he could keep his skin fair and look like a woman. Who came up with such a bad idea
Shen Wen laughed and said, "That's all right!" After saying something else, Shen Wen ran away.
Sure enough, before Qixi Festival, Zhang Yunjin from the Marquis of Pingyuan sent four sets of clothes to Shen Xiang and Shen Wen each, saying that the famine years had passed and the family got new materials from Jiangnan, so they would share them with their girlfriends. Shen Xiang's are all red, and he also wears a stack of simple and elegant sweat scarves. Shen Xiang knew that she had given these to Shen Zhuo. Shen Wen's has a variety of colors, and there are also linings and sweat towels that match the color of the coat, all of which are very exquisitely crafted. Shen Xiang asked someone to say thank you, but Shen Wen looked like he had never seen the world, and kept comparing and trying, which made Shen Xiang secretly complain that Zhang Yunjin was doing nothing to send clothes, and spoiled Shen Wen.
Zhang Yunjin didn't understand it either, but Li Shi got the order from Marquis Pingyuan, so he did it naturally. There are still two copies of the variegated clothes, and one is given to Ping Yuanhou.
In previous years, Qixi Festival was the most neglected festival in Zhenbeihou Mansion. Shen Xiang has always used knives and swords, never used needles and threads, and Shen Wen is surprisingly lazy. If there is some clever trick like other mansions, these two ladies will definitely make a fool of themselves and let the maids take over. top twenty. Therefore, Mrs. Yang didn't want to embarrass her daughters. On Qixi Festival, she would cook more snacks, put melons, roots and dried fruits everywhere, and other activities were free.
This year, Su Wanniang became Shen Wen's adopted sister. She is good at needlework. Shen Wen must hold a begging meeting in the courtyard for Su Wanniang. . Su Wanniang kept refusing, but Shen Wen became more and more persistent, and wanted to buy some clever gadgets to decorate the yard and add to the atmosphere. Shen Xiang expressed that he was not interested and did not want to buy those useless things.
Yang felt afraid of Shen Wen going out, and at first she refused to let Shen Wen go, but Shen Wen made a pitiful picture, Yang thought that Shen Wen must have been bored to death after staying in the temple on the mountain for so long, Going out like this was probably to see the excitement, and finally agreed to let Shen Zhuo accompany him to walk a few shops on the nearest street outside the mansion. what happened.
In fact, Shen Wen just wanted to get out of the house, so he agreed with all his heart. That night she went to the courtyard and told Du Juan the arrangement.
Shen Zhuo seized a moment, and asked Shen Wen with some puzzlement: "Why do you keep going out?"
Shen Wen said in a low voice: "There is someone trying to see me over there. If I don't let him have a chance to perform, he may think that I am too difficult to approach and suspect that we are prepared."
Shen Zhuo asked: "Is that Zheng Qian? Are you going out to meet him?"
Shen Wen quickly shook his head: "I want to leave the mansion just to see him!"
Shen Zhuo heard a kind of disgust from her tone, and asked, "Because he belongs to the prince? How do you know?"
Shen Wen whispered in Shen Zhuo's ear: "I'm only telling you, don't tell it: in my dream, he married me, gave the letter of my father and brother's defection to the enemy in my name, and then strangled me .”
The corners of Shen Zhuo's mouth drooped. Back then, he and Zhang Yunming joined forces to fight back fiercely to the crown prince who wanted to scheme against Zhang Yunming, in order to protect Zhang Yunjin's reputation from being tarnished by Zhang Yunming. Now, someone who killed his sister came to his door! even in a dream...
Shen Wen seemed to know what Shen Zhuo was thinking, and hurriedly whispered: "Don't do anything, you must treat him well! We have to rely on him to give the prince peace of mind for many things in the future."
Shen Zhuo gritted his back teeth and said, "What about after this?"
Shen Wen sneered and said, "After we're done, there's no need for us to act..."
Shen Zhuo looked at Shen Wen: "If you can't show up, I can do it!" He thought that Shen Wen was thinking about the illusory fate.
Shen Wen shook his head and said lightly: "Don't dirty your hands, as long as he tricks me, he will definitely die!"
Shen Zhuo looked at Shen Wen and shivered for the first time. His sister's expression remained unchanged, and there was no wave in her tone, but he could hear a chill, so cold that he could clearly understand that if Zheng Qian dared to move, it would really be a dead end.
On the day of going out, Shen Wen wore the clothes given by Zhang Yunjin. Shen Zhuo took dozens of people and accompanied Shen Wen in a car and only walked out one street. In the small shop, there are all kinds of begging objects. Since Shen Wen is the lady of the family, she and the maid entered a single room, and someone brought in trays of samples for her to choose.
Shen Wen entered the single room, and when she finished picking things, the secret door opened, and a person came out, dressed exactly like Shen Wen, but his eyebrows and eyes were very bright, ten times better than Shen Wen's, Xia Qing had a dull face at first, but at this moment He opened his mouth in surprise. The man put on a veil, and Shen Wen whispered to Xia Qing: "You accompany him, after shopping, just say that I want to buy something, and come back here again."
This is a sale in the name of another person in the Pingyuan Hou Mansion, Du Juan has long been wearing the suit Shen Wen said and waited.
Xia Qing felt a little embarrassed to accompany such a "beauty", blushed a little, and could only lower her head, slightly supporting "Shen Wen" and go out the door.
From others' point of view, "Shen Wen" came out again accompanied by Xia Qing, the clothes hadn't changed, and the veil was still there, but Shen Zhuo had received Shen Wen's ventilation beforehand, so he could naturally see that the so-called "Shen Wen" was a little stiff in his movements, already It was a change of people.
They walked a few along the street, and there was a big shop in front, Shen Zhuo asked everyone else to wait outside the shop, and he and Lao Guan escorted "Shen Wen" and Xia Qing into the shop. There is no single room here, and the pendants in the room are all on the shelves. As soon as they entered the door, a young man was walking out. If they didn't come in, they would meet outside the door. The man saluted Shen Zhuo and said, "Master Shen, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Shen Zhuo secretly cursed that the other party had already ambushed someone, but smiled and said: "It's from Zheng Guan! It's a pleasure to meet you, I was not there when you came to the mansion a few times, next time you come, please give me a greeting card, I will definitely wait for you. "
Zheng Qian said humbly: "How dare you! Third Young Master Shen is a very busy person, I am just passing by temporarily, it's completely by chance."
Shen Zhuo asked, "Why is Officer Zheng here?"
Zheng Qian held up a small bag in his hand, "Qixi is here, and my mother wants to send some things to the girls in poor families. I'll buy a bag for her."
Shen Zhuo said with emotion: "Ling Yan really has a compassionate heart."
Zheng Qian smiled and said: "If you want to talk about my mother's shortcomings, it is that her heart is too soft, and she can't see people suffering the most."
Hearing Zheng Qian boasting so much, Shen Zhuo felt disgusted secretly, and said with a smile: "Good people are rewarded with rewards, being soft-hearted is not a shortcoming."
Zheng Qian smiled, and asked casually: "Why is Third Young Master Shen coming out today?"
Shen Zhuo said vaguely: "I also helped the women in the mansion to buy some things." He didn't introduce "Shen Wen" behind him.
This is the rule of the big family. Without the presence of parents, even the elder brother cannot introduce an unmarried woman to outsiders. Zheng Qian didn't care about it, and said with a smile: "Every year, begging for coincidences in the world, there are so many coincidences in the world. The house of the third son of Shen must be lively. I don't have any sisters. I am really envious."
Shen Zhuo nodded with a smile, Zheng Qian saluted and said: "I wish Third Young Master Shen a wonderful Qixi Festival with 'the family is happy to open the makeup mirror, thread the needle under the moon and worship the Nine Nights'."
Shen Zhuo praised: "Thank you Zheng Guanren, Zheng Guanren speaks well, he is really a knowledgeable person."
Zheng Qian smiled and cupped his hands: "Where is there, the third son of Shen is both civil and military, but the capital is less famous, who knows who doesn't know?"
Shen Zhuo also saluted: "It's too much."
The two of them said a few more polite words before Zheng Qian left. But when he left the store, he stopped not far away and looked back at the door of the store.
"Shen Wen" kept his head down behind Shen Zhuo, and Xia Qing didn't dare to move. After Shen Zhuo signaled, "Shen Wen" only picked a few items, and then whispered something to Xia Qing, Xia Qing said to Shen Zhuo: "Miss still likes the first one."
Shen Zhuo agreed: "Then let's go back, there is a private room there, it's more convenient."
When they went out, Shen Zhuo pretended not to notice Zheng Qian in the crowd not far away, guessing that he was looking at "Shen Wen" carefully, so he could only curse in his heart. Zheng Qian stared at these people as they walked away, remembering the figure and gait of "Second Miss Shen" before leaving.
Shen Zhuo and his group walked back to the first store, Xia Qing helped "Shen Wen" into the private room, Shen Wen came out from the dark room, and whispered in surprise, "So fast?"
Du Juan took off the veil, and said in a low voice coldly: "Luckily, it's quick, otherwise I almost vomited there!"
Only then did Xia Qing realize that this "Shen Wen" was a man! I had been supporting him just now, and I was immediately at a loss for what to do.
Shen Wen said to Du Juan: "Thank you. I should be fine today." Du Juan hummed and went into the dark room by himself. Shen Wen and Xia Qing sat in the room, waited for someone to bring in a tray, picked a few more, and then left.
Xia Qing didn't dare to say anything to Shen Wen, but found a chance to find Su Wanniang, and said falteringly to Su Wanniang: "Miss... met the foreigner..."
Su Wanniang hurriedly whispered: "Don't say anything, the third son knows."
Xia Qing continued: "... that man... why is he so good-looking?"
Su Wanniang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and pushed Xia Qing: "Be careful that you can't pull out your eyes."
Xia Qing blinked, and asked again: "Miss, why don't you want to see that... Zheng Guanren? In fact, the third son is in the way, and the miss is wearing a veil, so he can't see his face." After the replacement, such a thing happened, Then it was changed back, the lady obviously wanted to avoid seeing this person.
Su Wanniang thought about it, and whispered, "It must be that Miss doesn't like that person."
Xia Qing sighed: "I don't like it so much, I can't even stand seeing each other...but I can understand."
Su Wanniang asked, "What can you understand?"
Xia Qing said in a low voice: "That man is very sour, and he will say a few poems or something in a while, saying that his own mother is very nice... Anyway, I can't stand it..."
Su Wanniang laughed and pushed Xia Qing again: "You are really picky! Oh, you know, you can't talk nonsense."
Xia Qing nodded: "How many times have you said it, what do you think I said these years?"
Su Wanniang asked, "Aren't you curious?"
Xia Qing said: "I'm not curious. The eldest lady told me that the lady can do whatever she wants and don't care about anything. But if you go out of line, you will tell her."
Su Wanniang was surprised: "Then did you tell me?"
Xia Qing shook her head: "No, you always listen to Miss, and you don't make up your own mind, so naturally you don't need to tell the lady."
Su Wanniang was very appreciative, and said to Xia Qing: "You actually saw it?! Don't tell it!"
Xia Qing looked at Su Wanniang unhappy, Su Wanniang felt a little embarrassed, "Did I repeat this too much?"
Xia Qing answered honestly: "Yes!"
When Shen Wen and Xia Qing returned to the mansion, they hung things all over the yard. On the night of Qixi Festival, a small party was held for Su Wanniang, Shen Wen successfully became the last place in all begging competitions, Xia Qing won the first place, and Su Wanniang won the third place, which is regarded as the top.
During the period, Xia Zi stole glances at Shen Wen many times, and Shen Wen showed some dreamy smiles at the right time, and sometimes touched his face for no reason, pouted his lips and so on, trying to make Xia Zi feel that she was moved.
After the party, everyone went back to the house, and Shen Wen asked Su Wanniang to sleep with him again. She whispered, "I want to go into the palace tonight to have a look."
Su Wanniang was not happy: "It's Chinese Valentine's Eve, what is there to see in the palace? If not, there are palace maids hiding everywhere waiting to hear Zhinu's cry, what should I do if I see you?"
Shen Wen actually wanted to go out for a walk because Shen Zhuo took the time to tell her about Zheng Qian's performance after going out today, and she felt unhappy. Su Wanniang guessed right, Shen Wen really didn't want to see Zheng Qian again, even through a veil, she didn't want to. She has loyalty to Zhang Yunzheng in her heart, and what's more, it's a kind of hatred. Even Shen Zhuo relayed Zheng Qian's affectation, which made her feel stuck. Although she always said that she should be cheated because she was ignorant and heartless in her previous life, but she didn't want to be reminded of her stupidity in the past again and again. Besides, this time she was determined to kill Zheng Qian, so she would disappear if she could.
Shen Wen heard that Su Wanniang didn't want her to go, so she gave up exploring the palace at night. She didn't know that, because of this, she missed the opportunity to witness other people's privacy.
In the palace, there was a banquet on Qixi Festival, and all the concubines gathered together, and when they met each other, they said some vicious words with jealousy, just looking for an opportunity to belittle her, in order to appear smarter. Concubine Xue Gui smiled and listened to these maneuvers, feeling bored from the bottom of her heart. She eagerly waited for the banquet to pass quickly, so that she could go to the imperial garden to worship the gods and beg for cleverness.
Under the rainbow that day, after she "coincidentally met" the prince, the two met many times again, but unfortunately it was just eye contact. The day before yesterday, they ran into each other again in the palace. After saluting, the prince asked with a smile: "Your Majesty, do you want to worship the moon and beg for luck?" The calm demeanor of the deputy king, but being so kind to her, is really charming!
Concubine Xue Gui smiled and said in a low voice: "Not in previous years, but this year..." She rolled her eyes at the prince: "I just want to pray in the imperial garden at midnight."
The prince smiled deeply, and said goodbye with a salute: "May your mother get what she wants."
Concubine Xue Gui also bowed softly: "Thank you, Prince."...
Recalling this, Concubine Xue showed a detached smile, and nodded gracefully to an old concubine who was looking at her with hatred. What is she still fighting with these people now? She has already won the first place, but it is a pity that the prize they competed for has long since disappeared, leaving only endless void. Now she wants to find another place to rely on for herself, maybe she can make up for her past mistakes and start over. However, this time, there is only one concubine on the side of the prince, so her chance of winning is even greater... Concubine Xue lowered her eyes.
The custom of Qixi Festival is very strange. People always have to hide under the flower shelf or among the pumpkin leaves to listen carefully. It is said that if you hear the cry of the Weaver Girl, you will witness the deep love of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
In the middle of the night, Concubine Xue set up an incense table in a luxuriant corner of the imperial garden, spread out a futon, and then knelt down to burn incense to pray to the heavens. She begged silently, hoping that the crown prince would come tonight, and the two of them would seal their relationship as soon as they met again...
Concubine Xue Gui was very pious, and she believed her prayers had come true, because after she had stood for a long time after praying, she finally decided to return to the palace, and when she asked someone to clean up the incense case, there were footsteps not far away, and several eunuchs came over. The four maids and one grandmother brought by Concubine Xue were all extremely reliable, as soon as they communicated with the prince's eunuchs in a low voice, one of them walked towards Concubine Xue. Concubine Xue Gui trembled with excitement: That is the prince, the prince, the future emperor! He even dressed her in the eunuch's clothes! It's definitely soulful!
The prince walked up to Concubine Xue, and with a skillful hug, he pulled Concubine Xue into his arms. The two left the incense table, walked into the nearby flowers, and hid in the shadow of a crabapple tree as tall as two people. Both of them are adults, the crown prince once had a harem of hundreds of people, and concubine Xue Gui has been in love for several years. At this time, they both understand that body language is more powerful than empty words. Both of them hoped to establish a substantive alliance in the shortest possible time. Naturally, there was no conflict. They immediately quarreled with each other, and then they did not even take off their clothes. They interpreted the relationship by leaps and bounds with actions in a hurry...
This is an absolute taboo: the imperial palace, the emperor's concubines, his own concubines, wild marriages... All morals and ethics have been abandoned, and every moment is dangerous, but the prince is extremely excited! He hasn't had this kind of vitality for a long time, and the darkness is like fuel, fueling his pride: that's it! The beauty... the throne... he just needs the last step...
In the gasp after the incident, the prince kissed Concubine Xue Gui on the mouth and said, "Your Majesty..."
Concubine Xue Gui was so excited that she said with tears in her eyes: "The small character Yurui from my family..." Don't call her empress at this time.
The prince said in Concubine Xue's ear: "Yu Rui, the fragrant mist and the cloud are wet, and the clear brilliance and jade arms are cold. I am talking about you. It is so beautiful..."
Concubine Xue Gui was hot in body and mind, and said softly: "Your Highness... I am ashamed..."
Concubine Xue was supported by her grandmother before she managed to walk back to her room. Excited and tired, she lay on the bed after taking a bath, thinking about it carefully. After entering the palace for so many years, she has never felt like this night. The prince's emotions are so passionate, and the result is so shocking! The intercourse can be so wonderful, she realized how many days and nights she wasted, staying in this silent palace! No wonder even eunuchs and palace maids have to make a pair, life without a partner is really too difficult, life without this kind of fun is really pale...
Concubine Xue shed tears: Only after seeing the beautiful scenery, did I realize how simple the environment I was in! She was right, she couldn't live her whole life in solitude, luckily it was not too late, she was only in her twenties. The prince is so charming, she must cling to him and pursue her own happiness.
Two days later, the eunuch came to say that the emperor would come to have dinner. Concubine Xue's heart trembled: Did the emperor hear some rumors? She asked someone to prepare ginseng soup, and she soaked in the fragrant soup for half an hour. She chose clothes that were not luxurious but well-crafted, diffused the clothes with the emperor's favorite fragrance, and put on makeup carefully. When she heard the announcement in front of the palace gate, Concubine Xue walked out gracefully and saluted the emperor with a smile.
The emperor is also in a good mood recently! The autumn grain is about to be harvested. There is no wind, no rain, and no disasters. It is a good year for a bumper harvest! The disaster year is finally over! Now there is nothing to worry about. The crown prince handles daily court affairs, and the huge bureaucracy is operating as usual. He only needs to control the Imperial Forest Army and ensure that a few of his confidants are always helping and watching, so that he can live comfortably. He is nearly half a hundred years old. He used to be ignorant when he was young and lost his body. Now he often suffers from headaches and dizziness. He occasionally reads some words. Nian Nian.
At this point in life, if you don't know how to take care of it, isn't it just courting death? The emperor felt that he was really wise. He changed his course in time, did guidance, went to bed early and woke up early, ate a light diet, and took pills regularly. Now he feels that his body is much lighter and his energy is more abundant than before. If things go on like this, rejuvenation is also possible, and you can enjoy the good life of being the emperor for a long time.
He heard that Concubine Xue Gui had gone to the Royal Garden to pay respects to the moon, and thinking that worshiping the moon is usually something she wishes for, he thought it was time to come and see, to appease this most beloved concubine to some extent. Seeing Concubine Xue's beautiful and reserved smile, the emperor smiled and helped Concubine Xue's arm: "My dear concubine, please get up, I haven't come for a long time, but you miss me?"
Concubine Xue's thoughts changed sharply, and she made a joyful expression: "Your Majesty, my concubine misses you day and night, and on Qixi Festival, I went to the Imperial Garden to pay homage to Yue Lao, begging the emperor..." She lowered her head pretending to be shy.
The emperor laughed and said, "It seems that I should come that day."
Concubine Xue Gui replied: "Of course I should come. Who doesn't know that July 7th..." She stopped talking. , Forever and ever, this hatred has an endless period... This is not an auspicious word, although there is a wish to stay together forever, it is an endless grudge.
The emperor also knew what words she thought of, so he changed the subject and said, "What's up with Aifei recently?"
Concubine Xue said with a smile: "The concubine suddenly likes to taste tea. I like the tea from the southern Fujian region the most. The more it is steeped, the more fragrant it becomes. I just want to recommend it to the emperor to enjoy."
The emperor smiled and said, "Okay, I'll try it. I like light food now, and I don't want to eat those big fish and meat."
Concubine Xue quickly said: "The concubine knows that the emperor will definitely like the lotus root soup simmered with ginseng ribs in the back." When she was young, she heard her mother teach that ginseng should not be drunk with tea, especially tea with a strong taste, but this Not many people know about this kind of thing, and many people still make ginseng tea. It can be seen that there is not much harm, but a little harm is a little bit. She suddenly couldn't stand the emperor, who had the bad breath of an old man, and she had to hold her breath when he spoke. Why is the emperor's hand so soft? Like a ball of cotton, touching her arm made her feel goosebumps... In the past, she tried her best to please the emperor, but now she wished that he would die immediately. If she had known this before, why bother... Secretly melancholy.
The emperor naturally didn't notice Concubine Xue Gui's dislike, and felt that Concubine Xue Gui was as sensible as before, and he didn't bother him when he left. The next day was his court day. In the court hall, the emperor heard a lot of good news:
"The rice harvest in the ten counties of Youlin in the south of the Yangtze River is bumper..."
"The prefectures and counties near Gaohu Lake, the autumn grain is very happy..."
The emperor nodded and said, "Thank God for looking down on me."
The ministers all said: "This is the emperor's perfect virtue, and he is blessed by God..."
"The emperor is the emperor of ancient and modern times..."
Amidst the praise, the third prince began to play: "Father, now that the harvest is ready, it is time to expand the military supplies and transport grain and grass for the border town Beihou. The imperial court has not spent military expenses these years, and the border border must be in short supply. Our court The harvest is good, but the Beirong don't do farming, so they may not have enough food, and they will definitely raise troops to invade the country... "
Here he is again! The prince hurriedly said: "Father, with Father's wise teachings, our dynasty can maintain stability. Now that the disaster year has just passed, many refugees are still homeless and need relief. If we spend rashly for military purposes, we are afraid that there will be food shortages everywhere. Yisheng civil uprising..." He now knows that the emperor dislikes civil uprisings the most, and the emperor will feel right after saying this.
Sure enough, the emperor nodded and said, "The calamity year is just over and the people's livelihood is unstable. It is indeed not appropriate to suddenly increase military spending at this time. It is better to wait a few years, and the treasury has some savings, and it will not be too late to use it for the military."
The third prince was in a hurry: "Father, if Bei Rong will raise an issue in the near future..."
The prince said: "The third brother is too worried. Beirong and I have made an alliance long ago. My own sister and Fan Beirong..." At this point, he choked up for a while, and then said: "I still died of illness. Over there. Bei Rong must be grateful to our dynasty and is willing to live in harmony with us."
The third prince frowned and said, "Then why did the Marquis of Zhenbei send a letter saying that Beirong has been stationing troops at the border, does this mean harmony?"
The prince hated in his heart: Disharmony is best! After killing all the soldiers of the Marquis of Zhenbei, how dare you go against me like this! On the surface, he said in a serious manner: "The third brother just said that Bei Rong doesn't work hard. Maybe they gather at the border because they want to trade with us. Maybe the land on the border is fertile and the pasture is abundant. Maybe Zhenbei Hou is exaggerating. , I want the court to give him more assistance. Last time he said that the Beirong army was suppressing the border, but it didn’t end there?…”
The third prince became anxious again: "Marquis Zhenbei is not someone who exaggerates, if you are so suspicious, if you delay the military plane..."
The crown prince interrupted: "Where is the military aircraft? Where is the military sentiment? Brother Sanhuang, don't listen to or believe in others just because of your own interests."
Before the blushing third prince could reply, a minister stepped forward and said, "Your Highness the third prince is right. Although the situation at the border is not yet an emergency, the risk is huge. If there is a mistake, it will be a disaster for the whole country. Such a dangerous situation Consequences, have to guard against... "
A courtier from the prince's side said: "For so many years, there has been no major war at the border. The Zhenbei Marquis has not been there overnight. The Shen family's army is well-known, and the Beirong must not dare to invade."
Another person said: "My China stands tall, how can the barbarians dare to commit minor crimes? One day, sooner or later, my trip to China will destroy Beirong and make Beirong bow its head and become a vassal!"
The third prince turned pale with anger: "Who wouldn't say such empty words?!" He practiced martial arts since he was a child, and he was exhausted every day. He still couldn't guarantee that he could defeat the Beirong soldiers on the battlefield. Crooked literati, if they don't give the border military food, what kind of Bei Rong will be flattened? I'm lucky if I don't make people feel peaceful...
The crown prince proudly said to the third prince: "Third emperor brother, don't you want to build up other people's ambitions and destroy your own prestige! You have always said that the Marquis of Zhenbei is mighty and the Shen family army is strong, how can you not believe in their strength?"
The third prince said angrily: "There must be food for cooking! The imperial court has not sent military supplies for years, leaving Zhenbei Hou to fend for himself. Now that the harvest is good, you still don't give it. Are you happy that Beirong won?!..."
The emperor stopped and said: "How can you quarrel like this above the court? Go down!"
The third prince still wanted to speak, but the emperor became strict: "Go down!" The third prince turned and left the hall. He was so angry that he clenched his fists, went out of the palace all the way back to the mansion, and then went to the martial arts field at the back, took off his palace robe and only wore a single shirt, desperately chopping wood piles with a knife.
Young Master Ye looked at him like this and didn't say a word, just waiting for him outside the training ground. The third prince vented his anger, and then wiped his sweat while telling what happened in the court.
Young Master Ye knew that His Royal Highness was angry, so he must be talking nonsense, which would not help the matter, so he could only comfort him and said: "Your Highness, don't be so angry. The court's inaction now doesn't mean it won't do anything in the future. Now the voice of the people to strengthen the country and strengthen the army is very strong. Gao, sooner or later I will listen to Datian." He took out two booklets from his sleeve, pointed to one of them and said, "Look, this is a text signed by a passer-by, calling on the whole people to be vigilant about the situation in the north, strengthen military construction, and fight against Qiang Yi. He also wrote a lot of articles, his thinking was sensible and reasonable, and his choice of words and sentences made him a master of literature. People circulated them and won the hearts of the people. This shows how deeply the theory of strengthening the army has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people."
The third prince sighed and said: "What's the use of having a reputation? Where is the actual money and food?"
Mr. Ye said: "Don't underestimate the momentum of the people." He pointed to another book: "Look, this article calls on all merchants to contribute funds to buy clothes and send them to the border guards to keep out the cold. This is the actual military supply."
The third prince said dejectedly: "The people all have this desire to protect the border, but why doesn't the father strengthen the border defense?"
Young Master Ye educated the third prince and said: "Perhaps the emperor fears that the Beihou will be too powerful, his meritorious deeds will shake the master, and he will pose a threat to the throne." He looked at the third prince meaningfully: he will be so scrupulous when he becomes emperor in the future Bar.
The third prince said carelessly: "What threat? Wouldn't it be good for Zhenbei Hou to be a general? Who wants to be emperor? Sitting in the palace is like going to jail!"
Mr. Ye reluctantly advised: "How many times have I told you, you can't say such things!"
The third prince waved his hand: "You are not an outsider, so it's okay to tell you... I'll go take a bath." He left by himself.
Young Master Ye was both moved and worried. What moved him was that the third prince treated him so sincerely, and what worried him was that a person with this temperament, who is not good at plotting and scheming, how could he win
Although the emperor reprimanded the third prince at the court, he said to the prince after the court: "You should pay more attention to the affairs of the north, and tell me immediately if there is any change. If necessary, you can also mobilize military supplies to assist Zhenbeihou." He didn't agree with the third prince's suggestion. On the one hand, it was because he had just come out of the disaster year, and the court was indeed stretched. On the other hand, he couldn't let the third prince successfully serve as the Marquis of Zhenbei. Anxiety cannot be ignored.
The prince's heart tightened, but he immediately nodded in agreement.
The emperor said with emotion: "Now that the years of famine have passed, court affairs should be easy. You just need to remember that everything is safe and stable, as long as there is peace and nothing happens, and no one makes trouble. This is what my father taught me."
The prince hurriedly said: "Thank you, father, for your guidance."
The meaning of the emperor was somewhat implying that sooner or later the crown prince would belong to him. After comparison, he felt that the crown prince was more suitable to be emperor. But he would not tell him so clearly. If he wants to enjoy peace in his lifetime, he must let the crown prince and the third prince balance each other. No one should think that he will definitely be able to ascend the throne, so he will no longer take the emperor seriously. son. He needs to always be in control of the choice, so that two people respect themselves for it.
It's a pity that the prince didn't understand the meaning of the emperor's words. The emperor inadvertently put these words after the sentence of "assisting Zhenbeihou". As soon as it is activated, supplies will be mobilized here to support, so the Zhenbeihou will not be able to collapse? I have to quickly think of a way to completely cut off the connection from the border to this place, and remove those post stations as soon as possible... He didn't listen carefully to the rest of the words, so naturally he couldn't understand the deep meaning of his father.
Love is such a thing, once touched, it will be lingering, and the thoughts will be crazy. Since Concubine Xue Gui entered Hong Kong with the prince, she has been looking forward to having a collision with the prince again. In fact, the prince also yearns for it, wishing to deepen his relationship with Concubine Xue as soon as possible, to the point where husband and wife sing together.
If Concubine Xue Gui went out of the palace casually at night, or if the crown prince went to her place, it would definitely not work. Fortunately, Concubine Xue got the inspiration from the prince's behavior of wearing eunuch's clothes, and she dressed herself as a court lady! In the palace, eunuchs and maids are the most indispensable thing. Taking advantage of the cold weather, the two met several times in the corner outside Xue Guifei's palace or in the abandoned palace.
Naturally, Concubine Xue always brought those few people who cared about herself, but there were more than 200 eunuchs in the Prince's East Palace, and the people who usually came out with the Prince were not chosen by the Prince himself, but arranged by the old eunuch in charge of internal affairs. Back and forth, one night, the old eunuch pointed out a new young eunuch to follow the prince.
Naturally, the others would not talk too much, thinking that the old eunuch was cultivating a new lineage for the prince, and only the old eunuch knew that this new eunuch was placed by the Lu family.
In the shadow of the wall, the prince pressed Concubine Xue Gui against the palace wall, once again reaching the wonderful state of life. Both of them were sweating and panting, immersed in the aftertaste. The prince waited for a while, hugged Concubine Xue with one hand, took out a pouch from the side pocket with the other, stuffed it in Concubine Xue's hand, and whispered in Concubine Xue's ear: "...cook it with white fungus or bird's nest... "
Concubine Xue Gui's heart skipped a beat, she clenched her purse tightly, nodded, and asked in a low voice: "... It can be verified..."
The prince shook his head: "No..." Then he passionately kissed Concubine Xue on the face: "Yu Rui! You are so beautiful, I like you so much... One day, I will make you a queen..."
Concubine Xue Gui was not modest this time, and kissed the prince back: "Your Highness, Yu Rui is willing to go through fire and water for His Highness..."
The little eunuch who was guarding not far away didn't hear the whispers in front of him, but he did hear "becoming a queen" and "going through fire and water".
Concubine Xue Gui returned to the bedroom and opened the purse under the lamp, which contained a paper bag. Then unfold, it is white powder. Although the crown prince said that it could not be detected, Concubine Xue Gui still took a handful and melted it with water on the silver spoon. The silver spoon did not change color at all, and it was impossible to detect it.
She rewrapped the paper bag, found a jade box, put the small purse in it, and put a small lock on it. I was going to use it when the emperor came, but unfortunately the emperor hadn't come for a long time, and then on August 15th, when the harvest was reported everywhere, the emperor ordered a banquet in the palace to enjoy the moon to celebrate. Concubine Xue Gui was busy with preparations and was unable to meet the prince. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace was very lively. Concubine Xue only saw the prince from afar. The prince looked at her with a gloomy look. Concubine Xue felt that she had let the prince down. Let the emperor go to his place as soon as possible.
The princess sitting at the table still looked haggard. When Concubine Xue looked at her with a smile, a sneer appeared on the princess' thin cheeks: Do you want to be the queen in the future? It's too early... If you want to go through fire and water, I can help you...