After the early dynasty, Cheng Yundu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, came out after Wei Xiang, Minister of the Ministry of Industry.
Both of them came from aristocratic families, they were both in their thirties, and they had been officials in the same dynasty for many years. Counting upwards, the two families still have some in-law relationship. Cheng Yundu squinted at Wei Xiang and said with a smile, "Brother Wei, why are you suddenly so keen on it?" Prince Rui's family affairs?"
Half an hour ago in the morning court, the official from the Ministry of Rituals proposed that Prince Rui's eldest son, Yan, would later attack the noble after the death of Prince Rui. Shangshu Song Huai agreed, and this matter was about to be settled, but at this moment, Cheng Yundu raised objections.
The army ration case in the northwest has not been investigated yet. Although Prince Rui has passed away, if Shuoxi is involved in this matter, then Prince Rui and his son are at least guilty of negligence. In this case, it would be inappropriate for Yan Chi to attack the prince immediately .
One stone stirs up waves, Prince Rui is the backbone of the country, and has guarded the northwest for many years, Cheng Yundu's words are somewhat taboo, but there are not a few who agree with him, and they immediately stalemate.
In the end, there was no conclusion on this matter, but the final decision was placed on the court, and the emperor's intentions would probably need to be discussed again.
Cheng Yundu is slightly fatter, with a kind complexion, and a pair of eyes that shine slightly, while Wei Xiang is very thin, with a little frost on his temples, and looks older than Cheng Yundu. His long and narrow eyes are slightly squinted, and there is a sneer on his face , "Brother Cheng, this is wrong. Prince Rui passed away, and it is only natural for the son to inherit the title. Brother Cheng brazenly said that Prince Rui has something to do with the military ration case. If Prince Rui is still alive today, how dare you say that?" ?”
Cheng Yundu couldn't help laughing when he was so blocked, "Brother Wei's words are words of condemnation. Everyone in the court and the public knows that the military ration case has not been solved, and Yu Wenxian went to the northwest earlier, but he didn't send back a single word. Now Shuoxi I haven't found out yet, so it's not good to clean up Prince Rui's mansion, and take a while to attack the noble, I'm also doing this for the good of the court."
Wei Xiang snorted coldly, compared to Cheng Yundu's calmness, Wei Xiang was obviously more exposed, he smiled mockingly, "Don't prevaricate me with these words, Zhang Qide has returned, the emperor has not yet decided Who will lead the Shuoxi army, at this time, Prince Yan is taking the title, and another generation of Prince Rui appears, it is self-evident who the soldiers and people of Shuoxi are looking forward to!"
As he spoke, he flicked his sleeves again, "Hmph, what a hypocrisy..."
Wei Xiang's tough temper Cheng Yundu has long known that he was not angry when he was scolded like this, but instead laughed, "Brother Wei, look at your temper, that's not what you said. General Zhang came back to report on his duties. What's wrong with the emperor?" The arrangement is the emperor's business, you and I are not in the Ministry of War, so we can't control these things!"
Wei Xiang shook his head, "His Royal Highness wants to take charge of Shuoxi now, I'm afraid it's too early, you are an old fox, and you don't even persuade the prince, the case of the King of Jin is temporarily suppressed now, Li Muyun is today It’s just on the fold.”
Cheng Yundu smiled wryly and looked around, but luckily no one was around.
He followed up two steps, "Those are all nonsense, how can Brother Wei believe it? Could it be that His Royal Highness Cheng Wang said something again? Today, Brother Wei speaks for Prince Yan, is it also His Royal Highness Cheng Wang's order?"
Wei Xiang let out a "ha", her eyes were waiting for Cheng Yundu, and her footsteps stopped.
"His Royal Highness Cheng Wang is still in the palace, do you want to ask him directly?! What order is not an order! You are the official secretary of the great Zhou Dynasty, and you have lowered your status to become the prince's guest. Don't treat me like you. Same!"
With his hands behind his back, Wei Xiang wanted to point at Cheng Yundu's nose and curse.
Cheng Yundu laughed straight when he heard it, "Brother Wei, His Royal Highness is a corporal, but you are the one who followed other people's ways—"
Wei Xiang frowned, "What's wrong with King Cheng? Last year, King Cheng went to clean up the Wujiang River. I saw it with my own eyes. The flood in the Xiangjiang River last year was caused by King Cheng himself. !"
Wei Xiang is in charge of the Ministry of Industry. Although his temper is stinky, he has never had any troubles for many years. It is also because of this unyielding and stubborn temper that the Ministry of Industry has been clean-up and diligent for many years, and no evil such as corruption has ever occurred. He is a He has a straight temper and doesn't like the harem meddling in politics, so he doesn't like the crown prince being controlled by the queen. On the contrary, Yan Qi caught his eye.
Yanqi has been in charge of the Ministry of Industry for more than two years. Although he has acted freely in private, he is not sloppy in political affairs. It is not an easy task to repair and rectify rivers, flood disaster relief, and Yanqi is willing to bear the honor of the prince. He is not soft on himself, he rests on the river when he governs the river, and sleeps with the refugees when he rescues the disaster. Several vigorous measures have achieved remarkable results, so he has won the favor of Wei Xiang, an old official.
When Cheng Yundu looked at Wei Xiang, he knew that the political choice this time was far from the two of them.
Cheng Wang is an unruly and cunning person who knows how to buy people's hearts best, so he naturally prefers the benevolent and virtuous Crown Prince.
Cheng Yundu sighed, and could only say, "Brother Wei, this matter is not just a title, the people sent by the emperor are still in Shuoxi, and you know the respect that the Shuoxi army and the Northwest army and people have for Prince Rui, Prince Rui has gone Well, the current situation in the Northwest is unstable, and neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince nor Cheng Wang wants Prince Rui's Mansion to continue to deter the Northwest. Therefore, it is best not to have the next Prince Rui, Shizi and Prince in a short time. It is different for the military and civilians... "
Cheng Yundu lowered his voice as he spoke, appearing to be heart-to-heart.
When Wei Xiang heard this, his eyes could not wait to stare at Cheng Yundu, "You don't want to frame Cheng Wang, this is the prince's idea! It's not Cheng Wang's! Cheng Wang has long thought that Yan Shizi should be the prince, Yan Shizi has made great achievements in battle, and he is in Shuoxi again. For many years, who in the younger generation can compare to him?! King Cheng is not a small-hearted person, your mind is insidious... "
It's a good thing to have a straight temper, but if a person's brain doesn't like to turn around, then it's not a good thing. Cheng Yundu looked at Wei Xiang with a headache, and really didn't know how his temper could secure the position of Minister for so many years. He had no choice but to sigh, "Since you don't listen to the persuasion, it's fine, just watch, if Prince Yan succeeds to the title, even the emperor will not like it."
Wei Xiang stared at Cheng Yundu with her eyes, but this time she stopped arguing, and snorted for a moment, "I don't care so much, this matter should be in my opinion, I'm not as thoughtful as Brother Cheng."
After Wei Xiang finished speaking, he left, Cheng Yundu stood where he was, and shook his head with a wry smile.
With a sigh, Cheng Yundu followed helplessly.
…
…
Inside the Shoukang Palace, the Queen Mother coughed twice, "Is that what the court said?"
Nanny Chen nodded, "Yes, that's what Cheng Shangshu and the officials said, ah, Prince Rui and his men are gone, why do these people still want to pour dirty water on him, Prince Rui loves soldiers like sons, how could If it has something to do with military ration corruption, even if it is neglected, it will not fall on Prince Rui and His Highness Chi, why not just investigate the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households..."
The queen mother narrowed her eyes, "This is what the East Palace and the queen mean."
Mother Chen didn't dare to say more, and hurriedly brought the sweet soup that nourished the lungs to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother waved her hand, but she didn't want to eat it. I'm free, let him come and see me, cough cough..."
Nanny Chen hurriedly responded, and patted the Queen Mother on the back again, "Let the princess prescribe another medicine, your cough has started again."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "It's because your body is failing, and it's useless to prescribe medicine, so let's warm it up."
Nanny Chen's eyes darkened, and she didn't say anything for a while.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be a little out of spirits. Seeing that it was only noon outside, she said, "I'm going to sleep for a while, remember to wait in the Chongzheng Hall, don't worry, I'll talk about it when he finishes his work."
"Don't worry, servant girl."
…
…
Yanhuai arrived at Shoukang Palace in the evening.
The Empress Dowager leaned on the Luohan couch in the Nuan Pavilion, and smiled slightly when she saw Yan Huai coming.
"Mother, why did you specially call Erchen over? You look bad again, do you want Qin Wan to come into the palace?"
The queen mother waved her hand and looked at Yan Huai carefully. This is her son. Now that she is getting old, Yan Huai's temples have also seen hoarfrost, "Don't worry about my body, it's just that I didn't sleep well. I called you here today because of Yan Chi's attack on the noble."
Yan Huai smiled slightly, "Does the empress feel sorry for Yan Chi and want him to seize the throne as soon as possible?"
The queen mother shook her head, "No, I don't feel sorry for him, I think he should be given this title, he is worthy of this title."
Yan Huai continued to smile, as if she wanted to hear more from the Empress Dowager, so the Empress Dowager leaned on the pillow and sighed, "That's what you are good at. You have been very calm since you were a child, and Cheer is up to you. No matter what the queen mother said, you were willing to listen to her, so in the end, the queen mother simply stopped talking, because you did well enough."
The queen mother didn't know what to think, and her eyes suddenly turned far away, "Your brother is not like this. You are a year behind your age, and your temperament is completely opposite. He... hey, the queen mother said these words, not to excuse him, his temperament is not suitable. Sitting in this seat, mother and son know, but in the end, mother is also responsible for that matter. He feels dissatisfied, but mother asked your father to send him to the fief, which intensified his anger, and that's why..."
The smile on Yan Huai's lips was a bit light, but he held the Queen Mother's hand, "Does the Queen Mother miss my brother?"
The queen mother was taken aback, nodded, and shook her head again, but she didn't seem to want to say more, she just said, "Twenty years, in a blink of an eye, even you have gray hair, my body is getting worse every day, and I don't know how long I can live , besides your brothers, Yan Lin has been by my side the longest. I originally thought that if your brother is gone, at least there will be Yan Lin who can accompany you, but now... "
The queen mother held Yan Huai's hand instead, "It's hard to be an emperor, no one is behind you, the queen mother just feels very distressed, Yan Chi grew up with Yan Lin, leading troops to fight, he is good at it, you leave him behind I have no objection in Jingzhong, but I thought, one day Shuoxi needs him, it is better to put him back. Although this child's mind is not as upright as his father's, he will not go astray casually. All these years He has made great achievements in Shuoxi, and now that Yan Lin is gone, if he doesn't take over the title, what will others think? Wait a few more years, I'm afraid that Prince Rui's residence will be completely defeated..."
Speaking of these, the Empress Dowager felt sad from the bottom of her heart, "He and Yan Li both grew up under my nose, Yan Zhi will not talk about the others, Yan Ze still has Yan Xiang by his side, although his life is hard Some, but your aunt and I talked about it, and that girl Yue Ning has already expressed her opinion, but it is a happy couple, only Yan Chi and Yan Li..."
"The things that happened back then were so rebellious. The so-called father's debt was paid by the son. I didn't say much for Yan Li. I just indulged him for so many years. His temper will be more stable in two years. Find a caring girl for him. , that's all, and Yan Chi, he lost his heart back then, Yan Chi was so tall, he was only ten years old, and he was taken to Shuoxi directly. These years, he really lived..."
The Queen Mother suddenly clenched Yan Huai's hand, "Emperor, do you understand what I mean?"
There was a thin smile on Yan Huai's face from beginning to end. Hearing this, he sighed, "Mother, I understand."
After a slight pause, Yan Huai said with some relief, "It happened twenty years ago, and the queen mother doesn't have to worry about it. If you want to talk about the title, Yan Li also has a title that hasn't been taken. I know that you both feel sorry for me, my son. I think it’s better to book them both together.”
The queen mother was breathless, and looked at Yan Huai in great surprise. She came to intercede for Yan Chi, but she never expected that Yan Huai would even include Yan Li's share, which really surprised her surprise!
Yan Li has been delayed for so many years and does not hold any real power. If she never seized the title, she would be miserable without her care for the rest of her life, but now that Yan Huai has let go, then Yan Li will have the title of Prince Assure!
"Emperor, are you serious?!"
Yan Huai smiled, his eyebrows and eyes looked extra gentle under the dim light in the room, "Of course it's true."
The queen mother took a quick breath, her eyes were slightly red, "Huai'er, you..."
After becoming emperor, the empress dowager seldom called him by his name. Now it can be seen that he was very moved. Yan Huai shook the empress dowager's hand, "You don't need to say too much, empress mother. I know your worries. I promise you that I will never Treat Yanli badly."
The Empress Dowager nodded, her eyes were already wet, Yan Huai was the lord of the Zhou Dynasty, he had many scruples and had to do so, the Empress Dowager understood all of this, after Prince Gong's treason failed, because she wanted Yan Han's clothes to be buried in the emperor Yanling, Yanhuai had been separated from her for a period of time, but fortunately, the mother and son were still separated, and these years, the queen mother never forced Yanhuai to let Yanli take over the throne.
She had been waiting, thinking that it would be too long, but she didn't expect this day to come.
"The queen mother is very happy. Really, Huai'er, the queen mother is relieved."
Yan Huai comforted the Empress Dowager with a smile, the mother and son talked a lot, and did not leave until the Empress Dowager was tired.
After leaving the Shoukang Palace, the thin smile on Yan Huai's face faded away, and when he got on the imperial chariot, his whole body was filled with a sense of indifference. Yuan Qing, who followed closely, knew what Yan Huai had promised just now. With Huai's imposing manner, he kept his head down and didn't dare to make a sound. It was not until he finished walking the straight road outside Shoukang Palace that Yan Huai said, "Go to the imperial concubine."
This was already decided, Yuan Qing hastily responded, "Send me to Changxin Palace!"
The night wind was cold and the early winter was approaching day by day. Yan Huai's eyes were dark and uncertain under the curtain. When he reached the Changxin Palace, he raised his jaw and came back to life. The servants were waiting early, and Feng Lingsu was also waiting at the gate of the palace. Seeing Yan Huai get off the sedan chair, she greeted her without saluting, "The emperor is here—"
This is the exclusive privilege of Feng Lingsu, who has been doted on by Yan Huai for nearly twenty years. She took Yan Huai's arm and walked in affectionately. Yan Huai patted her hand and said, "It's so cold outside, why bother?" Come out?"
Feng Lingsu said softly, "The concubine wants to see the emperor soon."
Yan Huai twitched the corners of her lips, Feng Lingsu said hastily, "The concubine prepared white fungus pear soup for His Majesty, stewed it for two hours, and waited for the emperor to come over tonight. Fortunately, the concubine waited for it."
Yan Huai smiled lightly, and walked all the way into the Nuan Pavilion of the main hall. As expected, the pear soup was ready long ago. Feng Lingsu first helped Yan Huai take off his outer robe, and then brought it to Yan Huai with his own hands. Reddishly said, "Try it, Your Majesty? The concubine added a lot of medicinal materials to it, but I guarantee that the Emperor will not taste the bitterness."
Under the warm yellow light, Feng Lingsu's face seemed to be frozen twenty years ago. Only when she looked carefully could she see the fine lines at the corners of her eyes and nasal grooves. She looked at Yan Huai with moist eyes, her cheeks The blush on her face is not like rouge. It is not unreasonable for Feng Lingsu to be favored for so many years. She has the charm of a mature woman, but her face is still fresh and pure. It's hard for Huai not to spoil her.
Yan Huai tasted it in Feng Lingsu's hand, showing satisfaction.
Feng Lingsu smiled slightly, "The concubine still remembers that the first time I made soup for the emperor was pear soup. At that time, the concubine put too much sugar, even if the emperor liked sweetness, he couldn't swallow it, but he couldn't bear to shake the concubine. From that moment on, the concubine knew that the concubine would love the emperor deeply for the rest of her life... "