New Year's Eve is coming, and the capital is full of festive atmosphere. At this time, there is good news in the palace - the queen is pregnant.
It must be said that Bai Zhixuan has also been dead for several months. During this period, some newcomers have also entered the harem, and they are not particularly fond of Chu Sanghuai. Now that this matter is revealed, everyone suddenly realizes that it is the queen who has been favored again.
It is strange to say that when Chu Sanghuai was still a prince, his descendants were very thin. Finally, a concubine gave birth to a small prince, but he fell into the water and died before the age of three. At that time, Chu Sanghuai was so angry that he would do everything All the servants were hanged, and even the family was imprisoned. Such a brutal act even disturbed the palace. Although the late emperor understood the pain of losing his son and did not convict him, he was quite critical.
After he ascended the throne, the harem became more and more full, and there were many women with all the looks and talents, and he was also enjoying the flowers, except for Bai Zhixuan, who went more diligently, and basically changed people every night. In this case, only a few concubines gave birth to children for him, but they were all ignored because the biological mother was too low.
Now that there is happiness in the middle palace, the status of the first-born son does not need to be mentioned. If it is a boy, there will be a candidate for the crown prince, which can be regarded as a relief for Chu Sanghuai's worries. Naturally, there will be a big celebration. A large banquet was held, and many imperial relatives and important ministers were invited to attend.
In the evening, the carriage drove out of Lan Wangfu.
Chu Jinglan didn't want to take Ye Huaiyang with her. Her cough wasn't healed yet. The night was cold, and it might get worse, but she insisted on following her. Followed like a little tail.
On the long street, the snow was falling, and the three-inch orange light was hanging like thousands of ice butterflies flying, a mottled light and shadow.
The two in the car were still enjoying a brief warm time.
"... Next time you cry and make a fool of yourself, I'll make your butt bloom."
In the dim light, Ye Huaiyang's face was faintly flushed, but her phoenix eyes were bright and translucent, like the stars in the sky, then she pulled out her hand and hooked Chu Jinglan's neck, and said softly: " I know I was wrong, husband forgive me."
When she came out earlier, she used the same way to deal with Ye Huaili to deal with him. He knew that she was acting, but he couldn't see her frowning, so she fulfilled her wish. Starting to smile, he deliberately scolded her, but after all, how could he be willing to beat her? Is she really wrong
Chu Jinglan's heart was open, but she didn't expose her, so she snuggled into her arms and coquettishly coquettishly, she just took off her delicate hands and put them in his own palms, and in a short while, she felt warm.
"That's right." Ye Huaiyang seemed to remember something, so she stepped back and asked, "New Year's Eve is only two days away. Then I'll let Huai Xin and Huai Ling come to celebrate the New Year together, okay?"
Chu Jinglan played with her green jade fingers and couldn't stop at the round tip, as if she liked it very much, and then spit out a few words in a warm voice: "Aren't you going back to your home?"
"I won't go back, I'm afraid my big brother will blow my beard and stare at me again." Ye Huaiyang laughed softly, like a silver bell, "Would you like to invite Yuan Shu to come with me again? The girl spends all her time trying to run outside."
"It's all up to you."
The usual doting tone, almost without hesitation, made her smile happily and roll her eyes.
During the conversation, the Yongding Gate was already in front of you, and there were more incense cars and jade chariots parked at the door. Many court officials and family members were walking in one after another, wearing fox furs and sable hats, gold hairpins and pearls, and they were unparalleled in luxury. Ye Huaiyang lifted the curtain and glanced at it, then sighed and climbed down Chu Jinglan's leg, just now she was smiling, but it instantly became quite heavy.
Seeing her pretending, Chu Jinglan couldn't help teasing, "The troupe is about to start a gong again?"
"Who am I doing this for?" Ye Huaiyang tickled her eyebrows, pounced on his lips angrily, he gave her a symbolic peck, and then blocked her.
"It's time to spend more kisses and makeup."
Ye Huaiyang looked down at him, her bright eyes filled with resentment, "When you go home, you have to supply me exponentially."
Chu Jinglan smiled lightly and agreed.
After that, the two got off the car one after another, and walked into the palace gate together at a short distance. Along the way stood countless glazed palace lanterns. When the family members who passed by saw it, they couldn't help but whisper, and they all said that the disagreement between King Lan's husband and wife was indeed true.
Walking outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, fireworks were set off in the air, colorful and dazzling, resounding through the sky, Bige Jinlan and Qionglin Yurui complemented each other, creating a magnificent scene.
Ye Huaiyang seemed to be attracted, she stopped and looked up quietly, her feet were as plain as clouds, and the sky was full of flowers. She was wearing a long pink dress that was not eye-catching, but the moment the wind blew, the snow-colored ribbons fluttered, like a shallow light. Clouds encircle Yanfeng, shrouding her graceful figure in it, elegant and dusty, almost wanting to ride the wind away, I don't know how many young sons are fascinated.
She was not aware of it. After watching the fireworks, she was about to walk into the hall. Unexpectedly, she met Chu Jinglan's deep eyes. Only then did she realize that he was looking back at her, and she was now a little embarrassed and anxious.
There were people coming and going at the entrance of the temple, and he stared at her so passionately, what if he wanted to be seen
She didn't think much about it, and was about to go in quickly, but she unexpectedly heard a chuckle from behind: "Yo, isn't this Ye's sister?"
Ye Huaiyang glanced back, saw two familiar figures, and immediately narrowed his eyes.
As early as in Jingzhou, she heard that Wang Wanting was betrothed to King Lu, but she didn't expect to meet him here today. Although it was a combination of handsome men and women, it was annoying no matter how you looked at it, not to mention this pair of idiots. Bend's tone, as soon as she heard it, she came to find fault, she turned coldly and stared at the two who were approaching.
"Princess Law, you should call me Wang's sister-in-law in terms of age. It's better to save the elder sister and the younger sister."
Wang Wanting didn't expect her to open her mouth and choked, and she was suddenly angry, but Chu Luze smiled solemnly, and then took over: "Sister Wang said that in this forbidden palace, you must obey the rules. of."
Ye Huaiyang felt uncomfortable when she saw his face, and was too lazy to talk to him. She turned around and was about to enter the hall. Who knew Wang Wanting would say in the back, "I know how to use etiquette to press people now. Now, I don't know who condoned Sister Shu to sneak into the palace to seduce my husband!"
Hearing this, Ye Huaiyang suddenly stopped, and even Chu Jinglan's face became cold behind her, she seemed to feel it, turned back and gave him a reassuring look, and then smiled at Wang Wanting and said, "Who What about the few blind sisters in the clan?"
After all, she left with Chu Jinglan without looking back. Wang Wanting froze in place. It took a long time for her to realize that she was scolding her. Looking at Chu Luze next to her, her face was as black as charcoal, and she snorted heavily. She threw her sleeves and went in without even pulling her. She stomped her feet angrily, and then followed.
Outside the hall, the moon is cold and frosty, and the inside of the hall is as warm as spring. Dozens of huanghuali head-turning tables enclose a white jade pond. The dancers accompany Shaole and file into it, spinning barefoot in it.
Today, the queen is dressed very beautifully. I don’t know if it’s because she lost her usual dignity or because she has been favored by the emperor recently, her entire face lit up. The person in her thirties seems to have returned to the state of a girl in her boudoir, and occasionally sips A sip of fruit wine, or whispering with Chu Sanghuai, made her face turn red.
Also, how can you not be happy when you are only pregnant with your first child in your thirties
This situation and this scene inexplicably touched Ye Huaiyang's heartstrings. She finished drinking the glass of wine in silence, her phoenix eyes lowered and she was slightly startled.
She had imagined countless times what she and Chu Jinglan's children would look like. She also thought that if it was a boy, she would teach him politics, economics, horseback riding, and rule the world. If it was a girl, just let her go and choose for her in the future A husband who is indomitable, of course he has the ability, and he must spoil her to the core, just like Chu Jinglan spoiled himself.
However, she just thought about it, and even deliberately avoided talking about these matters with Chu Jinglan, because she knew that now they themselves were in danger, not only could they not protect the children, but all the previous efforts would be in vain, she could not give He's adding pressure, he's carrying enough.
On the other side, Chu Sanghuai was on the verge of excitement. Wang Ying and Wang Jian took turns to come to toast. A few words of congratulations made him elated, and then he heard him laugh out loud.
"There are two capable ministers in the court to share my worries, and there are queens in the harem to raise an heir for me. I am very happy!"
The two hurriedly bowed their heads and saluted: "Thank you for your favor, the minister is ashamed to be worthy."
"The two Qing families don't have to be overly modest. I see your credit in my eyes, come here! Bring your things up!"
Chu Sanghuai shouted, and immediately an eunuch stepped out from behind the dragon chair with their heads lowered and came to them with an orange scroll. The two looked at each other, not knowing what medicine Chu Sanghuai was selling in the gourd, but both He consciously lifted his robe and knelt down.
"What are you kneeling for, this will is not for you."
The two of them immediately showed embarrassment, but seeing Chu Sanghuai smiling happily, they dared not show any dissatisfaction, and then they heard the eunuch shouting loudly: "From now on, the right to reinstate the central salt and iron will be restored, and the household will be closed. Ministry Inspector Wang Feng is the governor of Jiangnan, in charge of inspecting the taxation of salt and iron in the south of the Yangtze River, and I respect this!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
The resumption of salt and iron was originally a tyranny and bad government. It was just abolished when the first emperor was in power. Now, the land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River has finally prospered and prospered. I am afraid that the people will complain about this decree. The important ministers here all understand this principle, but their faces are not the same. Some are sad because they are worried about the people, some are happy because the fat difference has fallen into the hands of the Wang family, and some are so angry that their faces are blue. , such as Xie Yuan.
That's right, he knew through Yue Ting's mouth that Chu Sanghuai was going to issue this edict, because the treasury had bottomed out, and he was busy during this period of time to get this errand into the hands of the Xie family. Unexpectedly, because the queen was pregnant, he was so bad in chess that he was so angry that he vomited blood! It's just that when he hadn't figured out how to stop this, Chu Jinglan had already spoken.
"Your Majesty, since ancient times, the world's salt supply is half of the profits, and the profits of smugglers are even greater. Once the salt and iron are recovered, the price will rise, and the people will suffer from it. Please think again!"
Chu Sanghuai's smile suddenly faded, and she stared at him gloomily and said, "Is the meaning of the emperor's brother, I don't understand the suffering of the people?"
Chu Jinglan's expression was stern and cold, and his deep eyes could not tell his emotions. After a long while, he slowly said: "I dare not, but this move involves many things, such as building a government office, expanding the recruitment of soldiers, and improving the service flow, etc. Time-consuming and unpredictable, so…”
He deliberately left a half sentence without finishing it, but everyone present understood that the current Ministry of Household could not afford this expense, so it immediately attracted the second opinion of other ministers.
"Report to the emperor, Jiangnan will recover from the natural disaster three years ago, it is really not suitable to bear this heavy tax!"
Wang Ying turned around and retorted: "You also know that three years ago, there are many Hu-shang mutual markets in the south of the Yangtze River, and their wealth ranks first in the state of Chu, and the tax system should be restored."
"That's right." Wang Jian also expressed his support. "As the saying goes, what is taken from the people and used by the people is a virtuous circle. If the center stops, how can the people in Jiangnan be so happy?"
"Lord Wang's words are bad..."
"enough!"
As soon as Xie Yuan opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Chu Sanghuai's roar. Although he was extremely angry, he didn't dare to make a sound, lest the wrath of thunder would come to him, and the other courtiers silently kept their voices.
"I asked you to come here for a feast, not to participate in the government! This matter is settled like this, and any dissent will be dealt with in chaos!"
The hall was silent, and no one made a sound.
Chu Jinglan noticed that Chu Sanghuai's gloomy eyes swept over, the corners of his eyes were lightly raised, and he looked at the past indifferently, passing through the fragmented shadow of the palace lantern, across the long-step imperial case, and intersecting in the air, as if two sharp swords collided violently. , the sharp edge is exposed, the deep cold and severe.
The author has something to say: Another game of chess. Interested friends can guess what roles Wang, Xie, and Yue play~