When they returned to the capital, it was almost dusk, and after saying goodbye to Nangong Yue in a hurry, Wen Momo went back to the palace.
What she saw and heard along the way was really appalling. Nanny Wen was always in fear, and just wanted to report to the queen as soon as possible.
When Mother Wen arrived at Fengluan Palace, the emperor happened to be there too. After she saluted, she followed the emperor's instructions and told all the things she had seen and heard today.
When they heard that a well-behaved Zhuangzi turned into a dirty private kiln without the knowledge of the master, the emperor and the empress couldn't believe their ears, they just thought it was really unimaginable.
It is said that this private kiln has been open for some years, and it not only raises some charming Yangzhou skinny horses, but also some handsome young men for customers to choose from. What shocked the empress even more was that many of the officials of the royal capital, as well as the children of some aristocratic families, were its regular customers.
Nanny Wen lowered her head lower and lower, but she still said bravely: "Your Majesty, when this old servant went today, there was only an adult surnamed Qi in Bailin Manor, accompanied by two other young men. Your Majesty In order to prevent the matter from being publicized, the concubine asked the guards to detain Lord Qi for the time being, and she is still in Bailin Manor, waiting for the emperor's holy will to decide."
"This is the official of the imperial court chosen by me through thousands of choices!" The emperor said with a sneer, "Good! That's great!"
"The emperor calm down." Seeing that the emperor's face was flushed, as if blood had rushed to his forehead, the empress hurriedly asked someone to fetch the pills, served the emperor to take it with her own hands, and kept stroking his chest with her hands , to please him.
After a while, the emperor gradually suppressed his tone and said angrily, "What's next?"
Wen Momo went through the process in detail, and finally said: "Since the concubine Shizi can't step into such a dirty place, she ordered someone to arrest the steward, but it's a shame that the steward dared to resist. The empress asked the old slave to bring a few guards to subdue him. The concubine left behind a steward and a few guards from the Zhennan Palace to take care of the funeral, and then came back with the old slave. Now she has arrived at the palace Yes." After thinking about it carefully, she added, "The steward of Bai Linzhuang didn't mention that Bai Linzhuang is the prince, and when he knew that it was the concubine, he immediately gritted his teeth."
The empress glanced at the emperor and asked, "How does the crown prince look?"
"The concubine's face turned pale with shock when she encountered such a thing at such a young age." Nanny Wen said a little unbearably, "But she still behaved calmly in every move, and ordered things in an orderly manner. embarrassment."
The queen secretly praised: "This is the real demeanor of a daughter of a family."
"However, the Shizi Concubine was still frightened, and she said something out of her mouth."
The emperor became curious and asked, "What did she say?"
"The concubine Shizi said, 'The son was still young when he took over these properties. It is only natural for the concubine mother to take care of one or two of them. Neither the son nor I have any objections. The concubine mother has been working hard to take care of the property all these years. If she can really Looking at these Zhuangzi shops, the son and I are not unfilial people, so we can give it to my concubine. But why does the concubine behave like this... It is loan sharks, and it is a private brothel. How can a decent family do this? about it!'" Sister Wen has a very good memory, and repeated every word Nangong Yue said, and then said, "The concubine regretted it as soon as she said it, and she didn't say anything more after that , seems to be afraid of making a mistake again.”
"This Yue girl is really pitiful." The queen said pitifully, "A Yi has one more child, how can there be such a biological father and stepmother? Even De Yue girl has suffered enough grievances."
The emperor remained silent all the time, and waved his hand to order Madam Wen to retreat after she finished her report.
"The emperor..."
The emperor raised his hand, interrupted the queen, and said: "I thought about it seriously, do you think that Princess Zhennan opened a private brothel on the outskirts of the capital just to make money?"
"What does the emperor mean?"
"Many of my officials are its regular customers..." The emperor didn't finish speaking, but stood up, "I'm going back to the front, I have to think about this matter carefully."
The queen got up quickly and said respectfully: "The concubine sends the emperor off respectfully."
The emperor's mind was full of thoughts. Although the princess of Zhennan was a stepmother, the stepmother was also a mother in name. Just because of the word "filial piety", this loss can only be swallowed by Xiao Yi and his wife.
With the restraint of filial piety, as long as Zhennan King is alive for a day, Xiao Yi will be suppressed by him for a day, even if he has made great military achievements now.
But on the other hand, Xiao Yi is the son of Zhennan King after all, if he wants to suppress Zhennan King, he is undoubtedly the best candidate.
The emperor thought all the way, and when he returned to the imperial study, he already had an idea in his heart...
He ordered someone to summon Lu Huaining, the commander of Jinyiwei, and that night, a group of Jinyiwei quietly left the capital and went to Bailinzhuang. Afterwards, Zhu Xing followed Nangong Yue's order and returned to the mansion, leaving only two hidden guards to watch in secret.
In the early morning of the second day, Wang Jing, the Minister of Dali Temple, stated the investigation results of the case of Zhennan Prince Xiao Yi’s private lending of loan sharks in front of civil and military officials in the Jinluan Hall, pointing out that Chen Yushi’s impeachment was basically true. The Kaiyuan pawnshop under the name of Xiao Yi did sell loan sharks privately, but the behind-the-scenes mastermind is Zhennan Princess Xiao Fang!
Wang Jing angrily reprimanded Zhennan Princess for being immoral, embezzling her stepson's property, killing good people and other crimes, and stated that the witness shopkeeper Wang had been taken into custody. Even many Zhuangzi and fields under Xiao Shizi's name were privately occupied by Zhennan Princess.
In the Jinluan Hall, Wang Jingzhi did not mention that the concubine's maid had been to Huaiyuan County.
This impassioned speech caused an uproar in the court, and all civil and military officials were dumbfounded. The emperor was furious on the spot, and ordered the queen to issue an order of three thousand miles to send it to southern Xinjiang in an urgent manner, so that the princess of Zhennan could plead. !
Civil and military officials looked at each other, feeling that the turn of events was unimaginable... I thought it was the prince of Zhennan who violated discipline and law, but in the end he became the house of the Prince of Zhennan. But since this is an internal conflict in the Zhennan Palace, they just have to wait and see the good show.
The facts about the Zhennan Palace are so exciting that the subsequent discussions are as boring as plain water. Most officials are absent-minded, with one ear coming in and one ear coming out. When they retire, they don’t know what they said today. thing.
It was inconvenient to discuss indiscriminately in the early court, so when the court came, the officials began to discuss in whispers:
"Isn't Princess Zhennan too courageous?"
It's not uncommon for a stepmother to treat her stepson badly, but it's rare for a stepmother to do something like Xiaofang's.
Immediately, a minister raised an objection: "I don't think it's hard to say..."
"Didn't your majesty order Princess Zhennan to plead? Maybe there will be another twist in two days." Another minister also nodded in agreement.
"How can there be a turnaround? It can't be that the king of Zhennan is behind the scenes, right?" A young official didn't think so.
The ministers looked at each other, and the first reaction was not to do it, right
But after thinking about it carefully, I felt that it was possible that Xiao Fang's family could have such courage and such a big appetite
"Actually, no matter whether King Zhennan knows about it or not, he can't get away with it..." Another minister said meaningfully, "Think about it, whether it's the unkind stepmother or the stubborn son, the King of Zhennan is always There is no light on your face!"
Several ministers looked at each other, deeply convinced.
This time, the king of Zhennan was either reprimanded by the emperor for being incompetent, or he had a reputation for being unstable.
That is to say, no matter whether it is the eldest son Xiao Yisheng in the end, or the Zhennan princess finally disregards the relationship, or there is really Zhennan king behind the scenes, the Zhennan king is already doomed to be a loser. Light!
Dali Temple Minister Wang Jing suddenly became the center of attention, trying to get some unknown secrets in the case from him, but Wang Jing was in pain. Others said that he handled the matter neatly this time. He showed his face, but who would understand that he offended the dignified feudal lord this time! It's okay to interfere with the housework of entering the Zhennan Palace, Wang Jing felt that he was really unlucky, and he had to go to the Yaowang Temple to pay his respects after the court.
Wang Jing pretended to be secretive, so Nangong Qin, a relative of the person involved, became the object of everyone's attention, and wanted to learn something from him...
Nangong Qin shouted haha, avoided the yamen, and hurried back to the mansion, and was about to order someone to call Nangong Yue back to her mother's house, but learned from the servant that she had come early in the morning and was in Nangong Mu's house. Waiting for him together in his study.
Nangong Qin couldn't help being a little surprised, but he still went to the study first.
As soon as Nangong Qin entered the study, Nangong Mu and his daughter stood up at the same time. Nangong Yue blessed her body and saluted Nangong Qin respectfully.
"Yue'er doesn't need to be too polite." Nangong Qin said hastily.
After the three of them were seated, the atmosphere in the study unconsciously became solemn.
Nangong Yue spoke first, broke the silence, and said: "Yue'er heard from the empress that A Yi was impeached, so I want to ask my uncle, did you make a decision this morning?"
Nangong Qin looked at Nangong Yue with a serious expression, told her about the situation in the court, and then asked, "Yue'er, did you know about the Kaiyuan pawnshop before?"
Is it just a pleading
Nangong Yue was a little disappointed, but immediately cheered up again.
Xiao Fang's family is the concubine of the vassal after all, if the emperor didn't give her a chance to defend herself and dealt with it directly, I'm afraid that Nanjiang would never swallow this tone.
However, Nanny Qiao should have already arrived in southern Xinjiang, and Xiao Fang probably already knew about Liuhe Village, so with Xiao Fang's temperament, he would definitely do something, that would be the real fun!
Thinking of this, Nangong Yue's mood improved a bit, but on the surface, she sighed slightly, and said to Nangong Qin: "Uncle, in fact, I sent a maid to Huaiyuan County that day..."
She told Nangong Qin about Liuhe Village and Kaiyuan Grain Shop one by one.
The words were half-truth and half-false, and only mentioned that Xiaofang's meddling in Xiao Yi's industry made Liuhe Village and Kaiyuan Grain Shop messy. As for her various layouts, she didn't mention it, but Chen Yushi was entrusted to her The matter of ordering to impeach Xiao Yi was never mentioned.
Everything is just about the inner house.
"This Zhennan princess is really deceiving people too much!" Nangong Mu was furious when he heard it. The son-in-law is also half a son, not to mention that the son-in-law is not only good to his daughter, but also filial to them, so Nangong Mu naturally loves him.
"People die for money, and birds die for food, but they took over A Yi's shop and asked A Yi to help him take the blame. It's really..." Nangong Mu has a gentle nature, and he really can't say those vulgar words, but after this incident, he I feel worried about my daughter. With such a careless mother-in-law, if my daughter really follows my uncle back to southern Xinjiang, wouldn't it be easy to suffer
Nangong Qin pondered for a moment, then asked solemnly: "Yue'er, what are your plans now?"
Nangong Yue looked up at Nangong Qin and Nangong Mu, and said calmly: "Uncle, Dad, you all know that A Yi is the proton of King Zhennan staying in the capital. The situation in the capital has always been very difficult... I never thought that the concubine is not considerate, but she still wants to do such vicious things and ruin A Yi's reputation, Yue'er really can't swallow this breath." Her expression gradually changed as she spoke. He became awe-inspiring, "A husband is honorable and his wife is expensive, but a husband is ashamed and his wife is cheap. Yue'er is A Yi's wife, so naturally he can't just sit and watch his reputation being smeared by others..."
Nangong Qin nodded approvingly and said: "Yue'er, it's good that you know what's in your heart. You have to remember that you are the daughter of the Nangong family. If there is anything that needs to be done at home, just talk to me and your father."
"Thank you, Uncle." Nangong Yue bowed her body, her eyes were bright and resolute, and she said loudly, "Although Yue'er is eager to let everyone in the world know that the princess is plotting to steal the stepson's property and doing all kinds of things that cannot be tolerated by nature, but The time has not come…”
For Nangong Mansion, it is really simple to use the power of scholars to make people all over the world criticize Princess Zhennan for usurping her stepson's property and lending loan sharks. Will the emperor think that Nangong Mansion is trying to use the power of Shilin to persecute the emperor
Nangong Qin narrowed his eyes slightly, thoughtful.
Nangong Yue continued with bright eyes: "Since the uncle also said, the emperor has ordered the princess to plead... Even if it is a lawsuit against the officials, this will give the defendant a chance to plead. So Yue'er thought that before the emperor officially Before making a decision, it is not appropriate to act rashly."
Nangong Mu nodded in agreement: "Yue'er, you are right. A Yi is the son-in-law of our Nangong Mansion, the emperor will definitely pay attention to our Nangong Mansion's every move, and see how our Nangong Mansion will behave. What's more, in a few days The Emperor of Japan is going to seal the pen and seal the treasure and suspend the court affairs, and we really should not act rashly."
"Yes, father. We must convince the emperor that Nangong Mansion will always follow the holy will and have no second thoughts." Nangong Yue said slowly and cautiously, "Yue'er is also worried that my uncle and father will not agree because they are worried about Yue'er. Be careful to offend Shengyan, so I came back on purpose."
"Good boy, it's really hard for you to be able to think so clearly at this time. It's really rare." Nangong Qin looked at Nangong Yue with comfort, feeling regretful in his heart. .
What happened today, just as Nangong Yue was worried about them, Nangong Qin was also worried that she would act impulsively because of a moment of anger, but he didn't expect her to be so calm and rational at such a young age, which really shocked him.
Nangong Mu couldn't help showing some pride on his face, and looked at Nangong Yue with a smile, this is his daughter!
"Yue'er," Nangong Mu said, "I still have something to say to your uncle, you should go and see your mother first."
Nangong Yue stood up and saluted Nangong Qin and Nangong Mu again: "Uncle, Daddy, Yue'er will leave first."
"You go." Nangong Qin nodded slightly.
Nangong Yue responded and left the study.
She was about to go to the second gate, but saw a familiar figure standing under a sycamore tree not far away, looking at the study of her uncle Nangong Qin with a pair of bright eyes, with a look of hesitation.
It's Nangong Yan!
"Second sister!" Nangong Yue hurriedly walked towards Nangong Yan, wanting to tell her that Nangong Qin is now in Nangong Mu's study, but who would have thought that when Nangong Yan saw her, he would show panic and take two steps back After that, he turned around and ran away.
Nangong Yue faintly felt that something was wrong with Nangong Yan. Although their cousins were not close, Nangong Yan didn't even want to say hello to her.
Nangong Yue hesitated for a moment, but she saw Liu Mama walking out of the second door with a smile, and walked towards her quickly, "Third Aunt, Grandma, Second Madam asked the old slave to pick you up."
The two gossiped for a few words, and then walked together to Lin's Qianyun Courtyard.
Mrs. Lin was in the inner house and didn't know about Xiao Yi's impeachment. It was rare for her daughter to come back. She was very happy, she kept talking with her, and kept her lunch, so she was reluctant to part sent her out.
It's already the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, even if there are no elders in the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, the daughter, as the hostess, will never be less busy every day, so let her go back early, so that she can rest for a while after the busy work.
The Queen's Yizhi was sent to Southern Xinjiang that night, and it is expected to be delivered to Princess Zhennan in the next year.
The next day, Qi Changhe, Minister of Taipusi, was suddenly dismissed from his post, which did not cause any waves in the royal capital. On the contrary, there are some people who are a little absent-minded in their lives. Why is that gentle town suddenly closed... What about their confidante
At the same time, the step-concubine of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion was unkind to her mother, and the matter of seizing the stepson's property was also secretly spread among the high-ranking households in the capital. At first, it was discussed by the masters of the family, and soon it was among the servants. It was passed on word of mouth, and then spread to the outside world...
As the new year approached day by day, on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the emperor personally wrote a lot of "blessings" and bestowed them on several close princes and ministers; , sealed up the emperor's twenty-five seals and imperial pens... After the complicated ceremony, the officials can finally breathe a sigh of relief, and then both the emperor and all the officials can have a good New Year. Reopen.
All the mansions are busy preparing for the new year, and so is Zhennan Wangfu. On New Year's Eve, the old and new are removed, and the whole mansion has been carefully cleaned, and a couple of red couplets have been pasted up. , the servants also gave out new clothes and rewards for the New Year, and everyone was full of energy... I was looking forward to the New Year's Eve dinner on the night of the New Year's Eve.
The kitchen was already very busy, and the concubine Shizi usually ordered meals from the small kitchen and the big kitchen in the outer courtyard, so although the cook in the big kitchen in the inner courtyard had all kinds of skills, she had nowhere to show them. Cooking the New Year's Eve dinner is the best opportunity to show your face in front of the imperial concubine.
Throughout the whole day, Wu Ran's house has never stopped like a spinning top, but at this time, he saw Liu Ye, the rough maid in the kitchen, chatting with three or four people, and suddenly got angry from the heart, and the words had already passed. When he got to his mouth, he heard something like "Princess" and "Master".
These three aunts and six wives even dare to talk about the princess and the son, but they have to be taught a lesson.
Wu Ran's brows were tightly furrowed, and he quietly walked behind those people.
"Mrs. Liu, this is too outrageous, isn't it a rumor?" A skinny woman asked in shock.
"Impossible." The chunky Mrs. Liu rolled her eyes at the other party, her tone revealing a bit of pride, "I heard from Zhu Er Er, who sells pork in the west of the city, that Zhu Er Er not only supplies pork to our Zhennan Prince's Mansion, but Half of the pork in the official mansion is provided by their family, and he said that this matter has been spread among the rich and powerful in the capital!"
"Princess...that's really 'capable'!" Liu Ye's eyes widened, and she didn't know whether it was admiration or sarcasm, "Invasion of the prince's shop, and private loan sharks... When the prince finds out, can he let it go? "The audacity of the son of the world is famous in all the kings!
"Of course we can't let it go!" Mrs. Liu acted like an insider, "Think about it, this open source pawn shop was dug up, but what about other shops? There are so many shops under the name of the prince, if all these shops are in the hands of the princess After so many years, how much silver should there be! How could the son of the world not care about the tens of thousands of taels of snowflake silver!" Liu Pozi analyzed it as a matter of course.
Liu Ye swallowed her saliva and said: "Tens of thousands of taels, that should be enough for me to eat for several lifetimes... Mama Wu!" Liu Ye finally saw Wu Ran's family standing behind her at some time, and her face turned pale with fright , hurriedly said, "I, I'm going to wash the vegetables right now."
The others also rushed away, only Mrs. Liu was stopped by the voice of Wu Ran's family: "Mrs. Liu, what you just said is true?"
When Mrs. Liu heard this, her eyes lit up, and she became excited again: "Mother Wu, of course it is true..." She continued to speak eloquently and eloquently...
Rumors in the palace reached Nangong Yue early in the morning of the second day.
At this time, it was still daylight, and today was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and Nangong Yue was going to enter the palace to participate in the court celebration, so she got up early in the morning and began to put on her makeup.
While Que'er was talking, she was listening, and when she heard something interesting, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with her at all.
Secret matters are always the easiest to spread, not to mention that this matter is related to the Zhennan Palace, and there is no need for her to take any action, it will naturally spread.
Even the Zhennan Prince's Mansion was not exempt from common customs. It is conceivable that this matter is probably known to everyone in the royal capital.
It seems that today's Asahi is also quite lively...
really--
As soon as she entered the main hall of Fengluan Palace, she saw the ladies in the hall whispering to each other in twos and threes. When she came in, the whole hall was silent for a moment, and all the probing, curious, and sympathetic eyes looked at her one after another.
It is this abnormal silence that makes the atmosphere in the hall stiff and dull.
Nangong Yue deliberately paused her footsteps, her lips were pursed into a straight line, her brows were deeply furrowed, she made a worried look, and walked forward slowly under the guidance of the maid.
Only when she reached the center of the hall, a tall court lady came up to her, blessed her body and said: "Concubine Shizi, Your Highness Princess Yuncheng please go over." She led Nangong Yue to look forward to the right with her eyes, Yuncheng was approaching A few feet away, Yuan Yuyi nodded slightly to Nangong Yue, and Yuan Yuyi stood beside Yuncheng, looking at her with worried eyes.
Nangong Yue ordered the maid, and followed her towards Yuncheng.
After the two parties met, Yuan Yuyi immediately held Nangong Yue's hand affectionately, and asked with concern: "Yue'er, how are you these days?"
"Thank you, Sister Yi, for your concern." Nangong Yuefu thanked her, and said with a wry smile, "There is nothing wrong with Yue'er. Anyway, you can still eat and sleep as usual... You have to love yourself."
"Yue'er, you're right! For a woman like Xiao Fang, if you take her too seriously, then you will think highly of her." Yun Cheng curled his lips in disdain, and comforted, "Yue'er, you Don't worry. Bengong will definitely talk to the emperor and let him decide for you and Ayi."
Probably only Yuncheng dared to use the contemptuous title of "Xiao Fang's family" in front of the public.
The ladies around all pricked up their ears, seemingly casually, but they were actually paying attention to the movements of Nangong Yue and Yuncheng.
Nangong Yue sighed softly, forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Your Highness... Yue'er now only expects Ah Yi to be on the battlefield, so don't be distracted by it. Anyway, we are still young, and grandfather can survive in troubled times." Saving those properties, we will naturally be able to do the same in today's prosperous and prosperous world."
These words made Yuncheng feel distressed, he was so emaciated at such a young age. It's all the fault of the emperor's younger brother for marrying her so soon. If Yue'er is assigned to her family's brother Bai, she will be the best mother-in-law!
Talking too much seems deliberate, so Nangong Yue simply stopped.
Everyone around her could hear her words clearly. Although her answer was somewhat ambiguous, it can still be judged that the property in the hands of the prince of Zhennan was passed down by the old prince, and now I am afraid that it has been harmed to a great extent. Otherwise, how could the concubine mention it? In the future, I will re-purchase the property by myself.
The ladies around secretly felt that they were the truth.
It turns out that it is really the same as the rumors say! No, the facts are even more unbelievable than the rumors.
There is a folk saying that goes well, if there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather. It is really pitiful for the son of Zhennan Wang, who is treated so cheaply by his stepmother, but hinders filial piety, so he can only swallow the loss by himself.
The wives exchanged glances one after another. It is conceivable that after today, there will be a new version of "Biography of Stepmother" circulating.
Not long after, the queen ascended the throne, and everyone stood in their seats. Amid the shrill voice of the servant, they knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, completing the etiquette of the New Year ceremony.
As in previous years, after the ceremony, the empress specially asked the palace staff to invite some female family members to Dongnuan Pavilion to talk together, and Nangong Yue was naturally among the people invited. Not only her, but also Fu Yunyan, Jiang Yixi and Yuan Yuyi who had good friends with her were among them.
The queen gave him a seat, and everyone talked with him, enjoying themselves.
At the same time, the emperor, who had just finished the ceremony, was furious in the imperial study room, and there was a cup on the ground, which was already torn apart.
Eunuch Liu lowered his head, not daring to vent his anger, and he didn't even know why the emperor was angry.
Obviously, the emperor is still in a good mood today, and he was also happy after returning from the grand ceremony, until he received this note.
The emperor had already sealed the pen for the new year, so most of the papers presented were greetings and New Year's greetings. Eunuch Liu only noticed that the papers had the stamp of the Zhennan Palace. The emperor opened it casually, but after reading the scriptures, Thunder was furious and smashed the cup on the ground.
"What a Zhennan princess! What a Zhennan king!"
The emperor sneered and threw the booklet on the desk, walking back and forth in the royal room angrily, Eunuch Liu carefully glanced at the opened booklet, and was shocked immediately, this booklet was handed over in the name of Princess Zhennan Yes, in the excerpt, Nangong, the concubine of the Prince of Zhennan, was reprimanded for "disobeying her parents, because she was against morality; talking too much, because she was divorced from relatives." …
-off topic-
Uh... Ah Yue said, the next thing is the fun.
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