If it was not necessary, Chu Jinglan would never enter the palace. This time, he came to pay homage to the Empress Dowager and attend the reception banquet hosted by Emperor Chu Sanghuai for him. Zuo was just a courtesy.
The golden pavilion and the pond, with carved beams and painted buildings, although covered with a thin shade due to the coming of twilight, they are still closely embedded with the appearance in his deep memory. Every place contains vivid pictures, whether silent or noisy, all in The reappearance in front of his eyes made the road to Chenji Hall extremely long.
When he arrived, many ministers were already present, and there were not many old faces left when the emperor was in power. Instead, there were many new scholars from humble backgrounds, all knowledgeable and rational, and they were gathering to discuss history and politics. On the other side sat a high-ranking official from an aristocratic family.
In the center is an open space paved with white marble. It was originally used to enjoy singing and dancing, but now it separates the family from the poor family like the Chu River and the Han Dynasty, and the two sides do not communicate with each other.
Despite this, they have a common tacit understanding - stay away from Chu Jinglan.
It's really funny. Many rising stars have never seen Chu Jinglan. When they met in front of the hall, they only felt high-spirited and imposing, with a pair of brown eyes like midnight cold stars. They taught people not to look directly, but when they turned their heads. When he saw the Kuilong robe on his body, he immediately wanted to jump three feet away, lest others misunderstand him.
Who didn't know that he was a thorn in the emperor's eyes when he was winning the heirloom? Afterwards, although he went to the Northland, there have always been rumors in the market that it was actually him who was the real prince of the late emperor. Who would dare to approach him? You have to die if you don't want Wusha!
So it became this scene.
Chu Jinglan picked up Yujue and took a sip. The wine had just fallen to the stomach, and a very familiar male voice came from the top: "I remember that the emperor used to be a drinker, how has he changed his temper now?"
The emperor has arrived.
He was wearing a red scoop and twelve crowns on his head, dazzling like the sun. As soon as he ascended the throne, the ministers automatically silenced and stood up to salute. Chu Jinglan was no exception, and he was very respectful in his gestures.
The emperor spun into his seat, placed his hands on the gilded dragon head, and waved it at will. The courtiers Xie En took their seats, but he didn't seem to hear it. He raised his eyes and looked at Chu Jinglan with a flash of light in his eyes.
"Brother Huang, why are you so polite? I haven't seen you for many years, and I miss you very much. You shouldn't be restrained because the Qing family is here, and you have to let go."
"Yes, my brother obeys."
Chu Jinglan's voice was as light as water, and he didn't know if he heard it, but the smile on the emperor's face gradually deepened, and the atmosphere was inexplicably strange.
"What are all the Qing's family doing? I didn't set this banquet for you to accompany you to watch it. Why don't you give a cup to King Lan?"
Hearing this, all the ministers suddenly had different expressions, but since the emperor had already ordered, they didn't say much. The lowly officials could not wait to start acting, while flattering Chu Sanghuai, and at the same time to Chu Jinglan. The wine glass was raised, and both sides were pleased, so many people began to follow suit.
The emperor's eyes were gloomy for a moment, but soon returned to normal, passing by the crowd like a slack, and suddenly stopped in one place, and immediately asked, "General Ye, why didn't you raise your glass?"
Ye Huaili replied lightly: "Back to the emperor, the minister has been stationed in Guanzhong for many years, and drinking is prohibited in the army.
"That's it." The emperor tapped on the armrest, a smile forming on the corner of his mouth, "If the border troops are as self-denying as General Ye, I don't need to worry about border defenses."
The person who was toasting just now saw that the emperor not only did not blame Ye Huaili but praised him, his face changed slightly, the wine glass in his hand was like a branding iron, and it was too hot to hold. Chu Jinglan didn't seem to understand the meaning of it, so he lowered his head and poured another glass of wine, a dark light flashed across his eyes, seemingly forbearance and restraint, and disappeared the moment he raised his head.
This voice he recognized was the man who spoke in the restaurant yesterday. He also recognized this person, Ye Huaili, the leading general in the court. He was even more familiar with this surname. The silver medal of the black-robed assassin was clearly engraved.
What a loyal night family! It's really clear and unequivocal!
"Speaking of border crossings, there have been a lot of reports recently. Most of them are applying for the construction of garrison and the addition of military equipment. Brother Huang, you have just returned from the North, what is your opinion on this matter?"
Chu Jinglan was silent for a while, and then replied slowly: "I don't know how other places are, but the northern border has been harassed by foreign enemies for a long time, the support of the defenders is limited, and the people are miserable. The clan will not dare to invade our border again."
"That being the case, I will leave this matter to you. Tomorrow, you will go to the Ministry of War to discuss matters. After you have discussed it with all the ministers, you will present the book and show it to me." Under the shadow of the palace lantern, it is dark and unclear, "You finally came back, you should share some political affairs for me."
The ministers were in an uproar.
The purpose of Chu Jinglan's return this time is unclear, the emperor not only did not guard against him, but also let him directly participate in politics!
The music covered up the low and mixed whispers in the room, but when you were in it, you knew that it was like a bee buzzing in your ears, which caused people to be impatient. At this moment, a sonorous voice cut through the whitewashed. peaceful.
"I think that His Royal Highness Prince Lan is not suitable to enter the court to discuss politics."
After saying this, Ye Huaili looked at Chu Jinglan through the floating single Luosha and countless Huali cases, her face full of fear. Chu Jinglan also looked back at him, his expression indifferent, without a trace of displeasure, but his eyes were as deep as the sea, as if he would be involved at any time.
Ye Huaili frowned faintly.
In terms of the character of an ordinary person, it is impossible to be as humble and generous as before after experiencing that kind of thing. Chu Jinglan's performance is particularly questionable. Perhaps, he is acting for everyone to see.
Ye Huaili was pondering, when Chu Jinglan took his words and raised his voice: "General Ye is right, my younger brother has not returned for many years, so he should sacrifice his ancestors first to save himself, and he has not managed the government for a long time. The matter is unfamiliar, at that time, it will be a small matter to live up to the expectations of the emperor's brother, and he will not be able to appease the major civil servants in Xinjiang, and he will ask the emperor to take his life back.
The emperor raised his eyebrows and looked at him, every second seemed like a long time, and he didn't know how long it took before he said solemnly: "Well, let's talk about it when you're ready."
Chu Jinglan thanked him and said, "The matter of worshipping the ancestors..."
"What's so difficult about this?" The emperor smiled, turned his head and announced that Zhang Yin, the commander of the Imperial Army, had an audience, and ordered, "Tomorrow, you will escort Prince Lan to the Taimiao Temple."
"The minister obeys the order."
Zhang Yin responded in a deep voice, and then left the hall. He moved quickly and without any hesitation. Chu Jinglan did not refuse. He stood up again and said, "Thank you, Brother Huang."
The emperor waved his hand, directly exposed the matter, and turned to say: "I see that your Lan Wangfu has been vacant for a long time, and it may be inconvenient to live again. It is better to live in the palace these days, and then move there after repairs. "
A ray of light flashed in Chu Jinglan's eyes, and when he raised his head again, he laughed at himself in front of everyone: "I am alone in my family, and I don't want to live where I live. It makes the imperial brother worry, and I am really sorry."
Everyone in the room could hear it clearly, and this was a tactful refusal.
The emperor's face did not change at all, and he laughed loudly: "So I have to ask the Queen Mother for instructions to find a marriage for you, so that you can use this to prevaricate me."
"Brother Huang said that, I am afraid that the younger brother will not dare to visit the Empress Dowager for a while."
"Then you don't want to leave this inner imperial city today."
As soon as these words came out, the ministers were stunned in a cold sweat. They hurriedly raised their eyes and looked up. They were relieved when they saw the small smile on the corner of the emperor's mouth. Guess. However, Chu Jinglan only bowed and returned to his seat, and the emperor did not follow up, so this matter was over.
Soon after the banquet was over, all the ministers withdrew one after another, in groups of three and two, and walked slowly towards the palace gate.
It was still early, and Chu Jinglan had to go to the Hanzhang Palace. He walked to the corridor under the stairs. The blue bricks were paved, and the auspicious clouds circled around his knees. A corner of his clothes was suddenly exposed in the shadow of the corner. Tang Qingfeng.
"My lord." He bowed and saluted.
Chu Jinglan nodded slightly, and the graceful figure crossed in front of him and headed towards the corridor. He followed silently, passing through countless Guidianlan palaces, vaguely the same, thinking that when he was still a guard in the ban center, he was also like that. Now, following Chu Jinglan through the imperial city like this, the situation is different now.
Unknowingly, he walked to a desolate palace. The vines covered the red walls, and the weeds spread over his ankles. It seemed that no one had lived there for a long time. However, Chu Jinglan stopped and stared silently at the door with a crack open. , The eyes are misty, and I don't know what to think.
Tang Qingfeng was surprised at first, and he didn't know why he stopped. He didn't realize it until he raised his head and saw the plaque on the top.
This is the palace where Chu Jinglan's mother, Concubine Chen, was alive.
Six years ago, when the emperor went on a great journey, Concubine Chen passed away, and this place was abandoned. Although this is something they all knew, it is inevitable to see the scene now, especially Chu Jinglan, the heart that can't get through is getting more and more worn. He was dripping with blood.
Concubine Chen died for protecting him.
The past was turbulent in the bottom of my heart, and could not be calmed down for a long time, but Chu Jinglan just stood there, Jun Rong did not fluctuate, not even the slightest nostalgia, he raised his foot and was about to leave, at this moment, a slight trace. The sound got into his ears, like a dead branch breaking, he suddenly looked back, dark tide rolling in his eyes.
Just as Tang Qingfeng was about to speak, he saw him striding into the courtyard. The wooden door was pushed by him, and it creaked unbearably. It seemed that a figure was disturbed by this, and ran from the back in a panic. , The steps are light and messy, not like a martial arts person, but a palace maid or an aunt.
The two quickly flashed into the hall, wanting to catch up to see who it was. Their eyes touched every corner, and they were shocked to realize that the windows were clean and spotless. There were cleaning utensils thrown by the table of the Eight Immortals. , Could it be... She has been watching over here
After Concubine Chen died, all the servants who served her were also executed one after another. There should be no more old people in the palace. Who would risk doing such a thing
Tang Qingfeng had a lot of questions in his heart, but he knew that it was not suitable to stay here for a long time, so he reminded in a low voice: "My lord, we have been delayed here for a long time, and it will be late for Dr. Lu to be anxious."
Chu Jinglan clenched his palms and loosened them, before saying after a while, "Let's go."