On New Year's Eve in the 42nd year of Da Mo, Mo Xiangbin held a palace banquet and invited the princes and nobles to gather in the palace.
As Shi Qingxue guessed, both Prince Rui's Mansion and Duke Shi's Mansion received the invitations.
Before nightfall that afternoon, Mo Junyang packed everything and prepared to go out.
Just after leaving Mu Xueyuan, I happened to meet Mo Xiangrui and Qi Zhengdao.
Mo Xiangrui asked curiously: "It's still early, where is Yang'er going?"
Qi Zhengdao came over and saluted him, and shouted in an unskilled manner: "Common people, I've met, I've met Prince Mo."
Although Mo Xiangrui has recognized his identity, it is not easy to be the prince's son, and he has to be recognized by the clan and take the clear path.
Therefore, Qi Zhengdao enjoyed the treatment of a distinguished guest in the palace and could only call Mo Xiangrui 'Prince' and Mo Junyang 'Mo Shizi'.
Mo Junyang nodded briefly and ignored him.
He replied to Mo Xiangrui: "The child has to go to Duke Shi's Mansion to pick up Qingxue first. Duke Shi's Mansion is far away from the palace, so preparations need to be made in advance."
Mo Xiangrui stared at his son speechlessly for a long time.
I had known that Mo Junyang had his whole heart tied to Shi Qingxue, but every time he saw Mo Junyang's actions, he couldn't help but joke: "Others say that I have raised a son, but this time I don't care." Understand, this son is no different from his daughter."
It's a joke. Mo Junyang spends all day running to Duke Shi's mansion, just like a daughter about to get married and water thrown away.
Mo Junyang was calm, ignoring Qi Zhengdao's scrutinizing gaze, and calmly accepted Mo Xiangrui's teasing, and then said, "Is there something wrong with the father? If nothing happens, the child will go to the Duke Shi's Mansion first."
As soon as these words came out of his mouth, the smile on Mo Xiangrui's face faded, revealing a bit of embarrassment and embarrassment inside.
He paused for a moment and felt that it was even more inappropriate to be so coquettish in front of his son. He hesitated and said: "Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just a palace banquet. I want to ask if you are free. , can you bring Zhengdao into the palace to see the world?"
As soon as the words came out, even Mo Junyang couldn't help but be a little surprised.
He really didn't expect that it would only take two days. Mo Xiangrui's recognition of Qi Zhengdao goes so far
Asking him to take Qi Zhengdao to the palace to attend the palace banquet was simply a different way of announcing Qi Zhengdao's identity.
This is a signal to recognize the ancestor and return to the clan, and it also lays the foundation for Qi Zhengdao's future survival in the imperial court in Kyoto.
Mo Junyang looked at Qi Zhengdao's face and was immediately overjoyed, which was beyond words, but then he restrained himself and lowered his head in a respectful gesture.
He saw all this in his eyes, but he just said calmly: "I'm afraid the child won't be able to let his father get his wish this time."
"What, what?" Mo Xiangrui had known that his request would embarrass Mo Junyang, and he had even prepared to tell the other party about it with a shameless face, but he did not expect that Mo Junyang would reject it so directly.
Rather, he didn't know how to continue.
Qi Zhengdao was dumbfounded when he heard Mo Junyang's refusal.
Isn't Mo Junyang the son of King Rui? Are there any sons who refuse my orders
When he saw that Mo Xiangrui had not said anything for a long time, he suddenly became anxious and couldn't help but interjected: "The common people know that they are of low status and cannot get into the eyes of noble people. If the prince brings me into the palace, he may lose his etiquette. Since the prince is not willing, the prince You’d better not force him!”
These words vividly and decently express the sadness and anguish of a concubine who is not loved by his brother-in-law. If Qi Zhengdao were in an ordinary family, his performance would be remarkable.
However, it is completely inadequate for the royal family.
Didn't he just want to show weakness to win Mo Xiangrui's sympathy, and then use retreat as an advance to force Mo Junyang to take him into the palace
The people present were all smart people, and they immediately heard the hidden meaning of Qi Zhengdao's words.
Naturally, Mo Junyang would not be offended by Qi Zhengdao's words. He just looked at Mo Xiangrui with a half-smile, which made the other person's old face turn red.
Then he slowly said: "Today's palace banquet, I have to accompany Qingxue, so I can't complete the instructions given by your father."
This reason... is really confusing!
Mo Xiangrui looked at Mo Junyang with a tangled expression. Just as he was about to speak, Mo Junyang said again: "I know that my father wants to recognize his second brother. In this case, it would be better for you, my father, to take my second brother into the palace." It’s more justified.”
This is a clear recognition of Mo Xiangrui's intention to recognize Qi Zhengdao. For King Rui, who has been struggling with how to talk to his precious son, and Qi Zhengdao, who wants to recognize his ancestor and return to his clan, it is simply heaven. Big good news!
Qi Zhengdao was so amused by the phrase 'second brother' that he shouted: "Brother."
It was as if he was already the second son of Prince Rui.
"Insolent!" Mo Xiangrui shouted harshly, glared at Qi Zhengdao fiercely, and said, "Yang'er is the eldest son and the crown prince of Prince Rui, personally named by the emperor. How can you go out of your way?"
The concubine of the royal family is equivalent to half a slave. When facing the heir of the royal family, he should be called "Crown Prince" to show respect, but there is no blessing of calling him brother.
Qi Zhengdao was so scolded by Mo Xiangrui that he shrank his neck and admitted his mistake.
Mo Xiangrui did not look at Qi Zhengdao, but said to Mo Junyang: "I did not think carefully before. Zhengdao was not included in the family tree, and he did not change his name, so he was brought into the palace rashly, even if outsiders didn't know how to do it. No matter what you say, it’s always against the rules.”
He pondered for a moment, ignored Qi Zhengdao's stunned look, and said: "Zhengdao, you will stay in the house today to take care of your mother. After the spring begins, I will go to Zongzheng Temple to clear your name, and we will talk about other things later."
The final word was given, leaving no chance for Qi Zhengdao to refute.
It seemed reasonable, but everyone onlookers knew Mo Xiangrui's attitude - he would still recognize his son, but a bastard was only a bastard after all, and he could never think of surpassing Prince Rui.
The heir to this palace is still Mo Junyang.
Mo Xiangrui gave Mo Junyang a high-profile face, and then said to Mo Junyang intimately: "Jun Yang, as a father, it may have been a long time since I have talked to you. Why don't we enter the palace together today?"
Mo Xiangrui felt that after Qi Ruyue and his son entered the palace, he had always been feeling indebted and guilty towards his eldest son, so he wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to their father and son.
Unfortunately, Mo Junyang didn't buy it, and said slowly: "It's still early, and my father has a distinguished status, so there is no need to rush into the palace. It's better to rest at the house for a while before entering the palace!"
The implication was that he did not intend to enter the palace with Mo Xiangrui, and he was completely thinking about Mo Xiangrui in just a few words.
Even if Mo Xiangrui was wise and Mo Junyang wanted to go to Duke Shi's mansion to pick up Shi Qingxue, he couldn't blame him and could only watch his eldest son walk away.
——
When Mo Junyang arrived at Shi Guogong's mansion, Shi Qingxue happened to walk out of the door.
Their eyes met and they smiled at the same time. They didn't even need any extra words, Shi Qingxue was helped into the carriage.
After the servants were ready, the carriage slowly walked towards the palace.
"I just saw Shi Baoyan, do you want to take her into the palace?" Mo Junyang asked.
As soon as Shi Qingxue got on the carriage, she lost her formal posture, leaned lazily on Mo Junyang, and yawned delicately, "Well, my father asked me to take her with me. After all, she is also from the Duke of Shi's mansion. People have reached the age of getting married again, and it’s time to go out and socialize.”
Although the daughters of the Duke of Shi's palace did not have to worry about getting married, and even concubines were often married and brought home to support them, Shi Junhe always hoped that his daughters would have a good home.
Mo Junyang took Qingxue into his arms and frowned, "That should be your father's concern. If not, it's your mother. Why did it fall on you?"
If it’s hard for Shi Jun and a grown man to arrange a marriage for their daughter, isn’t it also Dong Hui
Dong Hui was the legitimate mother of Shi Baoyan, so she should worry about her concubine's marriage. She would never let her concubine act as a matchmaker for her concubine.
"Mother is not happy!" Shi Qingxue responded casually.
He said nonchalantly: "I think she has been very calm recently. It shouldn't be a problem even if she takes her with her, so she didn't refuse."
Although Mo Junyang didn't want to worry about his baby, but seeing that Qingxue really didn't care, he stopped worrying and just said: "Then when she enters the palace, I will have someone follow her, so you don't have to worry too much about her. worry."
The man's strong possessiveness was revealed in his words.
He didn't want Shi Qingxue to worry about other people or things, and he didn't even want Qingxue's eyes to fall anywhere except him.
Shi Qingxue just thought that Mo Junyang had solved a big problem for her - she didn't like to socialize with those people in the first place, and was worried about how to introduce Shi Baoyan to everyone - and immediately smiled at Mo Junyang, sweetly Authentic: "Jun Yang, I knew you were the best! I thought of all this!"
Mo Junyang pursed his lips and calmly accepted Shi Qingxue's embrace.
"It's been an eventful time recently, and I'm afraid today's palace banquet will not be easy. Just follow me when you enter the palace, and I won't let others embarrass you." Mo Junyang explained slowly.
Such a meticulous mother-in-law made it seem like Shi Qingxue was a waste who couldn't do anything, and it didn't look like something Mo Junyang would do at all.
However, Shi Qingxue knew the man's intentions and did not think there was anything wrong with the man's 'special care' for her. She happily accepted it and said obediently: "Don't worry, after entering the palace, I will be like a little girl." Tails sticks to your side all the time, and you can’t drive it away, okay?”
Qingxue issued the military order very readily, and said eagerly: "Let's not talk about it for now. You haven't told the palace what happened in the past two days? Qi Zhengdao and Qi Ruyue, what are your father's preparations?"
Mo Junyang shrugged, "On the left and right are his flesh and blood that he left behind among the people. The royal family members must naturally be recognized."
"What about Qi Ruyue? What are your father's plans?"
Not to mention that Qi Ruyue was just a womanizer and had no influence at all.
On the contrary, Qi Ruyue is the key.
The identity given to Qi Ruyue by King Rui is related to Qi Zhengdao's status.
If Qi Ruyue was just an ordinary concubine, or even a concubine, then Qi Zhengdao would only be the bastard son of Prince Rui's Palace; but if Mo Xiangrui planned to marry Qi Ruyue as a second wife, then Qi Zhengdao might also become the legitimate second son of Prince Rui's Palace.
In fact, this gives you the right of inheritance!