〖On the 23rd day of the 23rd day of Wuwei’s reign in Dayong (the first year of the Southern Chu Dynasty), King Yong returned to the court in victory, with Zhao Jia, the prince, concubines, and royal family in the front, and the civil and military officials in the rear. , Xianpo Tai Temple.
- "Yong Shi · Taizong Chronicle"〗
I didn't see the grand occasion when King Yong was greeted by the officials and entered the city gate, because my current status can be said to be a guest, or a prisoner. Gou Lian and I entered the city by car long after the army entered the city. Passing through Mingde Gate, I opened the window of the carriage I was riding, and what I saw was a forty-zhang-wide Yujie Avenue with two rows of locust trees, but it was winter, and there were no green trees in sight. In Chengyin, there are drainage ditches as wide as small rivers on both sides of the road, and stone bridges are paved at the intersections with the drainage ditches of other main roads. Although it is a cold winter now, the water in the ditches is steaming and flowing. , but the snow and ice hang on the locust tree, which fully shows the slaughter of the severe winter.
I whispered: "The country of mountains and rivers is a thousand miles away, and the city has nine gates. If you don't see the imperial palace, you will know that the emperor is respected."
Gou Lian said with a smile: "Since the ancient imperial state in Qin Dynasty, Chang'an has a large collection of cultural relics, and the terrain is dangerous. There are mountains in the middle of the Qinling Mountains in the south, and mountains in the north, echoing the Qinling Mountains from afar. Qinchuan has been the capital of emperors since ancient times. Dayong is the capital of Chang'an. It is the atmosphere of the king. Dayong dominates the world. It is unstoppable. A generation fades away.”
I didn't say a word, I was very aware of Nan Chu's weakness, and I was also very aware of Dayong's strength, but this was not the reason why I had to join King Yong. A trace of confusion flashed in Gou Lian's eyes. He had never had such a headache. No matter how he tried to persuade him, the young man either agreed or smiled, but he couldn't make him agree to join King Yong. Gou Lian wondered if he was too anxious, but if He could not be persuaded. If King Yong couldn't bear it anymore and decided to execute this person, wouldn't it be a pity. Gou Lian once proposed to put Jiang Zhe under house arrest temporarily, and slowly persuaded him. Unfortunately, King Yong just smiled bitterly, as if time was running out. What is this for
I pointed out the window and said to Xiao Shunzi: "Look, this is Suzaku Street, the first long street running through Chang'an City from north to south. At the northern end of Suzaku Street is the palace city and the imperial city. It is the residence of the Dayong royal family. The government offices of the six departments in the city are also within the palace city, and our current location is called Guocheng. Chang'an Guocheng guards the palace city and the imperial city from the left, right and south. There are eleven streets in the north and south and fourteen streets in the east and west. The main street of Guocheng is divided into 110 squares in a crisscross pattern. Among them, three north-south avenues and three east-west avenues running through the city gate constitute the main traffic in Chang'an City, and now the Zhuque Street where we are located is the most important street in Chang'an. The street in the center. At the end of Suzaku Street is the Suzaku Gate, from which you can enter the Miyagi.”
Gou Lian smiled and said, "I heard Mr. Jiang say this, I feel as if your Excellency is the landlord of Chang'an?"
I said lightly: "If you talk about Jianye's situation, I'm afraid Brother Yongquan knows better than the next one." Gou Lian smiled bitterly again.
I looked at the bustling crowd outside the window. The prosperity here is a bit better than that of Jianye, but Jianye is full of drunken fans, gentlemen and ladies, but here are impassioned Confucian scholars, heroic warriors, and prosperous times are everywhere. meteorological. I laughed. This is a real joy. Although Jiangnan is good and it is my hometown, I will not dislike it because of this. Nanchu, that is something in my memory.
The carriage soon arrived at the Vermillion Bird Gate. Gou Lian lifted the curtain of the car, holding a token of Prince Yong's Mansion in his hand. The guard guarding the gate glanced at it and stepped back respectfully. Gou Lian was about to tell him to continue. A hearty smile came from the front: "Mr. Gou, there is a distinguished guest of the royal brother in the car." Gou Lian looked up, but saw a luxurious carriage driving in front of it, and the curtain was made of brocade embroidered with golden dragons. , Behind the slender car curtain, a handsome and handsome young man was sitting half leaning and half sitting under the service of two beautiful concubines, waving to himself. Gou Lian was greatly surprised and said, "His Royal Highness King Qi, why didn't you go to the celebration banquet, but left the city instead?"
Li Xian got out of the carriage with the help of his concubine, and said, "Is the celebration feast, it has not started yet, and it will not be held until after the father and the emperor report the sacrifice to the Taimiao. This king has already been ill, and I heard that the second brother brought When the distinguished guest came back, I thought that it should be an old acquaintance of this king, so I have to come to greet him, but is it Lord Jiang? This king is Li Xian."
I was a little helpless. Although I knew that this person was going to disrupt the situation, it was beyond my expectations. I stuck my head out and smiled, "It turned out to be His Royal Highness King Qi, why are you laughing at me as a prisoner under this order?"
Li Xian walked closer and said loudly: "What is it, Lord Jiang is a peerless talent, not to mention the emperor, even my father, the emperor will not let the adults fall into the trap, although the book presented by the emperor has the name of the adults in it. , But after reading it, the royal father crossed out the name of the adult, and said that the emperor should treat the adult well, not to be neglected. In a few days, the father wants to summon the adult. But I asked the father for advice, if Jiang Your Excellency is willing, my Prince Qi's Mansion is waiting for Your Excellency."
Gou Lian frowned, thinking to himself, No wonder His Highness has troubles in his heart, because he knew that someone would snatch someone from His Highness, so he quickly said: "His Royal Highness, His Royal Highness King Yong has a decree for a long time. Be the master."
Li Xian said arrogantly: "Even if the emperor is here, he will not be in trouble with this king. Mr. Jiang, you were in Nanchu in the past, and you were ordered to entertain this king. This time it is this king's turn to be the landlord." Pull to me. Then Li Xian felt that his wrist was being held by an icy hand, and then he saw Xiao Shunzi's icy smile. Li Xian withdrew his hand wisely and said briskly, "Since Mr. Gou insists on this, this king has no choice but to let it go. In a few days, Mr. Jiang must stay in this king's mansion for a while."
I smiled slightly, nodded and said, "If there is a chance, I will naturally disturb you." Gou Lian looked at me worriedly, but he hesitated.
At this moment, the golden hall of Dayong is a scene of a group of monarchs and ministers rejoicing together. After presenting the prisoner to the Taimiao today, Li Yuan completed the red tape of sweeping dust, amnesty, accepting pilgrimages from hundreds of officials, military parades, etc. During the celebration, after Li Yuan held a banquet, Zhao Jia and Princess Changle were summoned to the palace. Li Yuan just said a few words to Zhao Jia, who kept begging for guilt, "Between Weng and the son-in-law, there is a deep relationship, no More guilt", so he asked Zhao Jia to live in the post house temporarily. As for Princess Changle, Li Yuan burst into tears when he saw it. Unlike her innocent appearance, she said to Chang Le: "Emperor, you have suffered, the father is sorry for you, your mother and the others are waiting for you in the harem, you go to see you first, the father will come later. I'll see you again." Princess Changle went to the harem, surrounded by the palace maids and eunuchs.
Only then did Li Yuan raise the wine glass and said loudly: "Today, King Yong returned victoriously. Although I am happy that King Yong has done a good job, I am even more pleased that he has brought back his beloved daughter Changle. Respect King Yong a few more cups, today the monarchs and ministers are feasting, and there is no return if you are not drunk." The ministers in the hall shouted long live, holding the golden cup together, smiling happily, King Yong Li Zhi had washed away the dust, and was in the position of the prince Li An. Li An, who was sitting at the top, received a toast from the officials. Although Li An was laughing constantly, the cold light in his eyes flashed again and again. He hated it so much that he originally arranged for King Qi Li Xian to go to Southern Chu. Wang Lizhi went to nibble on this hard bone, but unexpectedly, King Yong attacked Jianye and captured Nanchu monarchs and ministers, which made Li Yuan ecstatic, but Li An was very angry.
What Li An hates in particular is that he finally got the support of Liang Wan, the person in charge of the Southern Chu Secret Spy Intelligence Network, and Liang Wan returned as an idiot. Li An was frustrated and resentful. Looking at Li Zhi who was proud of the spring breeze, Li An thought viciously: "If this king can't get the throne, you Li Zhi don't want to be happy either."
When Li An was gnashing his teeth, there was chaos in the harem. Empress Dou Shi was the biological mother of Prince Li An, Changsun Guifei was the biological mother of Princess Changle, and King Qi's biological mother Yan Guifei and Ji Guifei gathered together. In the Queen's Palace, not long ago, it was reported that Princess Changle's incense chariot entered the imperial city, and several people were waiting here. Concubine Changsun has almost cried tears all these years, several sons have not been retained, and the only daughter is married to Nanchu. This time I heard that King Yong had brought back his daughter, Concubine Changsun had been restless for a long time. With the sound of footsteps, several eunuchs and palace maids came in to report that the princess was already waiting for the order outside the palace. Empress Dou Shi hurriedly said: "What are you waiting for, not to let the children in."
But for a moment, Princess Changle, who was dressed in plain clothes, walked in, and held back her tears to meet the queen, and then she went to her mother's arms and cried a lot. Concubine Changsun cried even more, and she looked at Princess Changle's haggard face. , said sadly: "My Zhener, you were married to Nanchu when you were fifteen years old. For the past six years, your mother burned incense and prayed every day. Not only did she hope for the harmony between my son and her husband, but she also worried that the war between the two countries would affect the child. Now you have finally returned safely. , Mother's heart has settled down, Zhener, don't worry, your father and the emperor promised to choose another good son-in-law for you, this time, mother is in charge of you, and always find a man who is happy for you."
Empress Dou Shi also said while weeping: "Good boy, you are suffering in Nanchu, and Ai's family also has trouble sleeping and eating for you. This time, Ai's family has already told the emperor that you have sacrificed a lot for Dayong, and no one is allowed to do so. I will make another decision on you, this time if you fancy someone, Aijia will decide for you."
Princess Changle covered her face and said: "Niangniang, concubine, Changle obeyed the emperor's order to marry Nanchu far away, although she is back now, she is always the queen of Nanchu, and the child is no longer ashamed, how can he remarry someone else while his husband is still alive, and still Invite a few mothers to be the masters of the child, let the child stay with the mother and concubine, stay quietly for a few years, and be filial to the father, mother and concubine."
The concubines looked at each other in dismay, and it was really embarrassing to think about it. No matter what her own people said, Changle was married to the lord of Nanchu after all. She couldn't arrange for him to remarry. It was such a hard life, and it was even more sobbing. At this time, Concubine Ji walked to Changle and softly comforted: "Princess don't be sad, the emperor will naturally arrange it properly and never embarrass the princess." Several empresses knew that Concubine Ji had always been involved in military affairs, and seeing her say this , I am relieved, several empresses are all harem women, and I have never seen anything sinister and vicious. Since the emperor has a heart, then Zhao Jia will naturally have a long life. Princess Changle's heart softened when she heard it. Although she had no affection for Zhao Jia, Zhao Jia was always respectful to her. Now that she has reached this point, she has become a vicious woman who framed her husband, and she couldn't help crying. fountain.
Concubine Ji Gui has a cheerful temperament, and she kept laughing and laughing, and finally made Princess Changle feel sad, Concubine Changsun also smiled and said: "Zhen'er, mother has already taken care of the Cuiluan Palace where you used to live, come, come with the queen and a few others. Niangniang kneels down, let's go see your place."
The queen and others also laughed and asked Concubine Changsun to settle down in Changle, Concubine Ji said: "Oh, let my sister do it alone, it seems like we don't care about Changle, my sister is young, so let me go and fight. Bar."
Concubine Ji was the most arrogant. Seeing her deliberately flattering, Concubine Changsun would naturally not refuse. The three said goodbye to the queen and walked towards the Cuiluan Palace. The interior of the Cuiluan Palace has been completely renewed. Just waiting for the arrival of the master, Princess Changle's luggage had already been moved over, and the capable maid who accompanied Princess Changle in Nanchu had already arranged everything. Princess Changle supported the eldest grandson and listened to her mother's nagging explanation. As things go on, mother and daughter share the joy of a family. Concubine Ji Gui was also on the side, comforting her from time to time. She was good at words, but she did not make the mother and daughter feel uncomfortable with outsiders.
After a period of time, Concubine Changsun became a few years old, and she was so happy that she couldn't help but get tired. Princess Changle was worried about her mother's health and wanted to send her back to the palace. Concubine Changsun was sympathetic to her daughter's hard work and asked her to take a good rest. She went back to the palace to rest by herself. However, Concubine Ji stayed behind under the pretext of making excuses. Princess Changle was a little puzzled, but she lived in Nanchu for many years. Although she lived in a secluded place, she raised Qi and moved her body, and naturally she had the demeanor of a mother in the world, so she quietly waited for Concubine Ji. Show the truth. Sure enough, not long after, Concubine Ji dismissed her servants and asked solemnly, "Princess, Liang Wan has served the princess for many years, why did she come back like this this time? My niece has been running around for so many years and ended up like this, how can I not make this palace sad. "
Princess Changle's heart moved, and her brother Li Zhi asked herself about Liang Wan for a long time. She had long heard that this Concubine Ji was from Jianghu, and she also vaguely knew that Liang Wan was recommended by Concubine Ji, so she did not hide it, and told her own experience. said it again.
Concubine Ji listened very seriously. When she heard Liang Wan attacked the man in black and was captured, she had a strange look on her face and asked, "Princess, are you saying that Liang Wan has no room to fight back."
Princess Changle said apologetically, "Bengong doesn't understand either, I just think that person restrained Sister Liang as soon as he stretched out his hand."
Concubine Ji asked, "So what are the characteristics of this man in black?"
Princess Changle fell into memory. On that day, she watched with horror as Liang Wan was captured, and then the secret agents were ordered to stop one by one. The man in black walked up to her, killed the maid who intended to assassinate him, and stood in front of her. At that time, he clenched his hairpin tightly, preparing to commit suicide if this person offended a little, but heard the feminine voice say lightly: "Queen, don't worry, we are not from Nanchu, ask the queen to follow us to a place, After that, we will send the queen to see King Yong." As he spoke, he came to support himself. At that time, his eyes were full of the scene of the maid being killed, and his daughter's body had never been touched by an irrelevant man, so he was very frightened. The voice sounded like a devil to me, I trembled and wanted to stab the golden hairpin into my throat, but was stopped by the man, the man said helplessly: "The queen is relieved, the master has no ill intentions towards the queen, I am more of a eunuch, no It will blaspheme the queen's innocence." Then he tapped his acupuncture point, blindfolded his eyes, and then lost consciousness. When she was under house arrest in the dark room, it was the man in black who came to take care of herself. Princess Changle could be sure that that man was indeed a eunuch, and she could even know from his familiarity with etiquette that this man was a palace servant of Southern Chu. So she didn't believe that she could be free until, that day, she saw the spies who were protecting her, they knelt on the ground and pleaded with her, and beside them was Liang Wan, whose intelligence had become a child, Under their protection, I saw the emperor's brother, and watched them commit suicide, and the blood stained the golden hall.
And she still didn't know what happened. During the process of escorting her, no matter how she asked, they were just asking for the guilt. Gradually, she realized that their suicide must be the request of the people in black, and they wanted to protect them. She agreed, and it stands to reason that she should hate those people in black, but, strangely enough, she didn't have a trace of hatred, because those people never had the slightest frivolity towards her, and it was a risk for them to leave their own lives. The matter, at least she had heard their voices and knew that a person was a eunuch, but she didn't tell the imperial brother, because although the other party did not have any requirements for her, she still received the grace of not killing her after all.
Ji Guifei was a little impatient when she saw that Princess Changle was fascinated by her thoughts, but she knew that it might make the princess remember something, so she waited patiently at will, after a long time, the princess said in a dreamy voice: "This palace only remembers that they acted like a military army. Orderly, disciplined, abide by etiquette to this palace, nothing else special, the man in black is not tall and his eyes are cold, that's all."
Concubine Ji asked lightly, "Are those people from Dayong or from Southern Chu?"
Princess Changle gave Concubine Ji Gui a strange look and said, "They should not be from Dayong, because the few people I have met are not as tall as those from Dayong."
Concubine Ji showed a cold smile and said: "Princess has worked hard all the way, please rest well, this palace will leave first."