Fireworks all over the city illuminated the night sky, reflecting each other with the territory of the Great Chu. Just like this relationship, no one has ever been half a point behind.
They kissed quietly under the fireworks, feeling the brightness and tranquility of the moonlight falling on their bodies. Every time she thought about it later, Wei Lan felt that this was the warmest and brightest moment in her life.
She never thought that one day, there would be such a person who could stand beside her and walk hand in hand with her.
She has never been so grateful to come to this world for a moment, because only here can she meet this man named Xie Zichen.
In the evening, the two of them held hands and went back together. In order not to attract attention, they both wore masks. The two of them walked under the bluestone slab illuminated by the moon, talking and laughing. A young man walked side by side, and the girl said: "I asked the boss just now, and the boss said that there was a big man who asked them to turn off the lights at that time, and he notified from door to door. What is thinking, this is thinking! You and others study!"
"What are you learning..." The boy sighed and said, "I'm not a big shot, am I?"
The two walked past Wei Lan while they were talking. Wei Lan set her eyes on the rabbit lamp. Xie Zichen noticed it, but said, "You gave her that rabbit lamp. Do you like her very much?"
"How could it be?" Wei Lan smiled: "In Daliang, Sister Tu also cursed people."
Xie Zichen: "..."
"Molested you in front of me, didn't cause trouble for him, and just didn't care about her because she was a little girl. Do you really think I'm so magnanimous?"
Wei Lan folded her hands in her sleeves, she was clearly wearing a woman's dress, but she was wearing a manly demeanor. Xie Zichen couldn't help but said, "I think you seem to be more suitable for men's clothing."
Wei Lan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm used to it, I can't change it for a while."
"You say you are not generous, if I take a concubine, what will you do?"
Xie Zichen thought about it, but asked such a question, Wei Lan turned her face, with a cold smile: "Of course I divorced you and killed her."
Xie Zichen: "..."
So ruthless.
"Why," Wei Lan raised her eyebrows: "You still have the idea of taking a concubine?"
"No." Xie Zichen said immediately, and replied extremely quickly: "Absolutely not, I'll just ask casually."
"Nothing is the best," Wei Lan turned her head to look at Chang Lu, and said calmly, "Then what would you do if I accepted Shijun?"
Although he couldn't understand what Shijun meant, Xie Zichen also knew that this must be similar to a concubine, so he said decisively: "Keep you in captivity and kill him."
"Oh?" Wei Lan rolled her eyes, but said, "Your servant doesn't want to divorce me?"
"I'm going to divorce you, let you jump around everywhere?" Xie Zichen smiled coldly: "It's a good idea!"
Wei Lan couldn't help laughing, stretched out her hand to hold him, and said softly: "Don't worry, how dare I have my son here?"
After the two of them celebrated Qixi Festival, the next day, the story of Xie Zichen lighting up the whole city to please his wife spread throughout the court. Su Bai heard about it, so he found Xie Zichen and asked curiously, "How did you do it?"
Xie Zichen smiled: "It's natural to do it with your heart."
During the frolic between the two, the reforms continued all the way. In the winter of that year, the head of the Xie family died of illness, and the position of the head of the Xie family became vacant. According to the past practice, the son-in-law of the main house should directly take the lead, but now that there is a Xie Zichen here, no one dares to say that Xie Yulan will take the position of Patriarch.
But no one dared to say that Xie Zichen was the head of the family, because Xie Zichen had no children.
There is no heir, and he married a man. Let such a person be the patriarch. This matter would become a joke in any aristocratic family. So the Xie family avoided this topic, and no one had the courage to bring up the position of the Patriarch.
Wei Lan naturally knew about this, so she brought Xie Zichen over to discuss, "What do you think about the position of Xie's family?"
"I don't have any ideas," Xie Zichen said lightly, "Whether I should be the Patriarch or not, will it affect me now?"
The blood fetters are there, just like Xie Zichen cannot be unfavorable to the Xie family for the rest of his life, because the Xie family is his family, if he abandons his own family before the Xie family does something out of the ordinary, then his reputation will be completely ruined up.
This is an era when everyone who is filial and honest can become an official. The fate of the family is inseparable from the fate of the individual. The Xie family enjoyed power when Xie Zichen gained power, so it is difficult to completely preserve it after he loses power. Therefore, both parties can only choose to stay with each other. Stumble, hold tighter and tighter.
Therefore, whether he is the head of the family, the Xie family will be Xie Zichen's arm, and Xie Zichen will be the vanguard of the Xie family.
However, Xie Jue obviously didn't think so. Seeing that the day for the funeral of the head of the Xie family was approaching, after the funeral, he had to choose a person. Xie Jue was so anxious that he came to Xie Zichen's residence several times in a row. Xie Zichen was overwhelmed. No disturbance, directly moved into Changxinhou Mansion.
Xie Jue and Wei Shao were not at odds, Xie Zichen lived in Changxinhou's Mansion, Xie Jue came to the door, Wei Shao directly blocked him from the door. Xie Jue was so angry that he jumped up, so he went to wait for Xie Zichen at the next court, and then chased after Xie Zichen up. Seeing his father trotting up, Xie Zichen quickened his pace and went to Wei Lan's side.
Xie Jue managed to catch up with Xie Zichen, and when he saw Wei Lan, he held all his words in his chest.
He couldn't tell Xie Zichen in front of Wei Lan—son, take a concubine. After taking a concubine, you can be the head of the house.
As long as the Xie family is given a little hope that Xie Zichen will have an heir, Xie Zichen will be sure to sit in the position of the Xie family's Patriarch.
However, Xie Zichen also knew what Xie Jue was thinking, so he didn't see him at all. Xie Jue was forced by Xie Zichen, so he gritted his teeth and went to Wei Lan.
At that time Xie Zichen went out to talk about things, Wei Lan heard Xie Jue coming to her, she thought about it for a moment, and hurriedly asked Xie Jue to come in.
She and Xie Zichen didn't serve tea like ordinary couples, and they didn't know how to address Xie Jue, but Xie Jue didn't look unfamiliar at all, and came in and said, "Alan, I'm here to discuss an important matter with you .”
When Wei Lan heard Xie Jue's address, she knew that she was here to talk about Xie Zichen's affairs, so she sat down and called out respectfully, "Elder-in-law, tell me."
As she said that, she refilled tea for Xie Jue. Xie Jue was a little anxious, and said solemnly: "Alan knows that the position of Patriarch of the Xie family is now vacant, and Zichen is the most promising person to become Patriarch, right?"
Wei Lan naturally knew about this, she nodded and pushed the tea in front of Xie Jue.
Xie Jue didn't drink tea either, and sighed, "I'm here today to beg Ah Lan. Now that you've all passed the age of weak crowns, most people of your age already have concubines." Children, you are all men, and it is impossible to have no heirs for the rest of your life. You will have to take concubines sooner or later, and that minister... it is impossible not to have children. In this case, you might as well advance the time... "
Said, Xie Jue glanced at Wei Lan, Wei Lan's face was indifferent, and there was no joy or anger, Xie Jue inevitably became more courageous. Then he said: "I know you were just getting together, so I'm sure you're not very happy about this matter, but this matter concerns Zichen's future, I hope you can give it more consideration."
"Elder-in-law, why didn't you tell your servants about this?" Wei Lan took a sip of her tea, but she couldn't see anything on her face. Xie Jue felt a little uneasy. After all, Wei Lan was also a figurehead in the court, so she said cautiously: " Naturally, I want to talk to him, but I just want to make a deal with you before that, after all, you are married to him now, so I will talk to you about this first... "
Wei Lan nodded, and said calmly: "I will discuss this matter with my ministers, does your father-in-law have other matters?"
"Of course not." Xie Jue shook his head, Wei Lan stood up, and said to Xie Jue, "I still have business to do, so let's send my father-in-law away first. I will discuss this matter with Xie Zichen when he comes back."
"Okay, okay." Xie Jue nodded hastily: "Alan understands righteousness deeply, this couldn't be better."
Wei Lan nodded and said nothing, gave Ran Mo a look, and let Ran Mo send him out.
After seeing Xie Jue off, Wei Lan sneered and turned back to the house. Ran Mo sent Xie Jue back and said anxiously, "My lord, what shall we do?"
"What should I do?" Wei Lan looked at the document and said calmly, and Ran Mo said anxiously: "My uncle is going to take a concubine."
"Uncle Shizi, your title is really messed up." Wei Lan avoided the question and frowned as she looked at the document. Seeing her calm look, Ran Mo changed direction, forced Wei Lan to look at her and said, "My lord, don't change the topic, don't we make some preparations?"
"What are you preparing for?" Wei Lan was a little helpless: "This kind of trivial matter will be solved by the minister. I don't like to take care of this kind of problems in the back house. If there is a woman who wants to grab it, then come and grab it. Now even a woman's There are no shadows, why are you nervous? I have a lot of things here, so don't worry about this kind of thing."
Wei Lan's words made Ran Mo hold back.
Is this still trivial
Your father-in-law forced your husband to take a concubine!
Then since Wei Lan had spoken, Ran Mo couldn't continue, so she could only sigh and walked out.
At night, when Xie Zichen came back from business, he saw Wei Lan waiting for him in the room. Xie Zichen handed the cloak to Xie Tong. After taking a bath, he changed into his nightgown and came out, hugging the person who was still reading the paperwork from behind Wei Lan. , rubbed her face and said, "Haven't finished watching?"
"Wei Xiong wants to recruit soldiers. Now both Jingzhou and Qingzhou are in the hands of the Wei family. Eighty thousand soldiers are indeed too few. Wei Xiong wants to expand to 200,000. But the conscription requires money. Two hundred thousand, I'm afraid it's not enough to last a year."
Wei Lan frowned, seemingly distressed. Xie Zichen took the document from her hand, and said calmly: "This is not a long-term plan for you. You don't plan to become king yourself, and there is absolutely no reason to raise your own soldiers."
"Your Majesty will not let the Wei family really become a first-class family." Wei Lan nestled in his arms, a little tired, Xie Zichen raised his hand to help her rub her temples, and comforted him: "Didn't you plan to change the emperor in three years?" ?”
Hearing this, Wei Lan smiled softly: "There is no one who knows me like a servant."
"If you raise soldiers by yourself, how can there be any reason to raise them for a lifetime? You are just dragging Su Bai. Now that the national treasury is full after the reform, if His Majesty won't give you money, what else can you do but grab it?"
Xie Zichen spoke lightly, planning for her: "However, this matter cannot be rushed. Your Majesty is also enthroned in an orthodox manner, and there is nothing out of the ordinary. With the protection of the Empress Jiang's family and the noble concubine's Wang family, if you do it rashly, you are afraid that something will happen."
"It's impossible for me to do it now," Wei Lan opened her eyes, "let alone do it myself."
Hearing this, Xie Zichen felt relieved, thought for a while, and said, "If you must do something, I'll do it."
"No need." Wei Lan said indifferently: "I haven't reached this step yet, let's watch first."
Xie Zichen responded, and at this moment Wei Lan remembered: "Speaking of which, there is one thing. Your father came to me today and said that you took a concubine..."
"It's impossible!" Xie Zichen said decisively, "Alan, I don't have such thoughts."
"Yeah." Wei Lan nodded: "Then you talk to your father, I'll save him face."
Xie Zichen responded, "I'll talk to him tomorrow."
Wei Lan didn't get too entangled in this matter.
On the second day, after Xie Jue went to court, Xie Zichen took the initiative to go to Xie's mansion. Xie Zichen came to the door, and everyone in the second room joined in the fun. Now that the second room relies on Xie Zichen for dinner, they didn't dare to say anything.
The table was eaten peacefully. After eating, Xie Zichen took the initiative to say to Xie Jue, "Yesterday my father went to look for Alan, and Alan told me that I was too busy these days to reply to my father in time. It is my son's fault." No. I came here today to make it clear to my father that my son said at the wedding banquet that he and A Lan will be a couple for the rest of their lives, and there will be no extra people."
"You're talking like a child!" Xie Jue immediately said: "Everyone thinks you married a woman, so it's okay for you to say that. But the Xie family knows who you are marrying. If you don't take a concubine, which family will marry you?" Let a man without heirs be the head of the family? Zichen, being with a man is not a big deal, but if it delays the succession of the heirs, it is a big deal to be sorry for the ancestors!"
"Father, Xie family Ding Xingwang, I am not missing an inheritance."
"But you are going to be the head of the family!" Xie Jue slapped the table, and said angrily, "How many years has the big house oppressed us? Now that you finally have such a chance to be a leader, are you going to let it go?"
"Father," Xie Zichen said lightly, "I don't need that position."
He needs the Xie family, but it doesn't mean he has to be the head of the Xie family.
Xie Jue was panting with anger. He knew that Xie Zichen had a high position and authority, but the head of the family meant the right to speak in the family. He hoped that his son could be in his own position. Helpless, I could only change the subject and said: "Okay, then if you don't take a concubine, you must have a child, right? Your brother's child, you choose one to adopt."
"No need." Xie Zichen said calmly: "Father, you don't need to worry about my heir. I just came here to tell you that the position of Patriarch needs me to be the family head, so I will take it. No need, it's okay if I don't. "
"I don't know how to take concubines," Xie Zichen stood up, "I've only been Wei Lan in my life. You don't need to care about my other affairs, just take care of yourself."
"That's how you talk to your father?!" Xie Jue was furious, and shouted angrily, "For a man, you dare to contradict your father?!"
Xie Zichen didn't speak, but there was a sneer in his eyes.
He rolled up his sleeves, and his usual aura in the court suddenly appeared, making everyone in the room breathless.
"I came here today precisely because you are my father. I only come here once. If this happens again next time, I won't come again."
"I'll give you face," Xie Zichen said coldly, "You just keep it well, don't really wait for me to tear off a layer of skin for you!"
After finishing speaking, Xie Jue's expression changed, but he couldn't reply a word. Xie Zichen saluted, turned and left.
When he was gone, Xie Jue slapped the table and said angrily, "Nizi... this Nizi!"
"Father, it's not my brother's disobedience," Xie Xue, who had just grown up, was reluctant to accept that the pillar of the second room was such a person who had no affection for the second room. She had little contact with Xie Zichen in the past, and was a little more sensible. Xie Zichen was already a famous figure. She had always admired Xie Zichen and secretly regarded this brother as proud. Even though Xie Zichen never paid attention to her, she was also Xie Zichen's number one fan. Seeing Xie Jue scolding Xie Zichen now, she immediately said: "Wei Lan must not allow my brother to take concubines and adoptive children! She is afraid that if her brother becomes the head of the Xie family, his power will completely overwhelm her."
"That's right," Mrs. Lin came up to help, and she couldn't really ask Xie Jue to vent Xie Zichen's anger, instigating: "Zichen is a man with plans, why don't he really want the position of Patriarch? It must be that Wei Lan unwilling."
"Okay..." Xie Jue gritted his teeth: "This Wei Lan... I want to show her some color, she really thinks she is lawless? Her Wei family is now raising troops in Qingzhou without telling His Majesty, does she think she can hide it for a lifetime? I'm going to report to His Majesty..."
"Father!" Xie Zichun held Xie Jue down when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Are you trying to kill me?!"
The news of Wei Lan's increase in troops was seen by Xie Zichun in the study when he was looking for Xie Zichen. He has a good relationship with Xie Zichen, Xie Zichen has never been too guarded against him, and he never thought of telling Xie Jue, but he drank too much that day. If Xie Jue really did this, he would be the first one to be unlucky !
Hearing this, Xie Jue calmed down, but he was still a little angry: "Is that all for now?"
"Forget it..." Xie Zichun sighed: "Since the fourth brother doesn't want this seat, don't force him, he must have his own plans."
Xie Zichun discussed with Xie Jue, Xie Xue snorted coldly, turned and walked out.
She hated Wei Lan's broken sleeve, it was because of this person that her perfect brother had flaws.
Xie Xue thought about it, sent someone to send news to the palace, and decided to visit Concubine Xie in the palace. Concubine Xie had a good relationship with her before she got married, and when she got the news, she invited her into the palace the next day.
When the two sisters were chatting and laughing, Su Bai happened to visit Concubine Xie. Now that Concubine Wang is pregnant and the Empress is too boring, Su Bai has been here for a long time. Xie Xue has been seeing the Emperor for a long time. The three of them chatted for a while, and Xie Xue said innocently: "Your Majesty, there is one thing that I am very curious about, and I hope Your Majesty can answer it."
"Huh?" Su Bai was a little curious, Xie Xue was always eccentric, so she didn't know what to ask.
However, Xie Xue smiled, but said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Wei Xiong in Qingzhou is recruiting troops everywhere. I remember that one of the current reforms is to streamline officials and reduce all government expenditures. The money after the reform is To support Qingzhou?"
Hearing this, Su Bai's expression changed instantly.
He knew that Wei Lan would not be idle after taking Jingzhou and Qingzhou, but he thought that she was just planning to maintain her original appearance. After all, if Qingzhou conscripted soldiers, those expenses would be paid by Wei Lan herself, and she would not empty out Chang Xinhou Government, to subsidize this army? If she really emptied the Hou Mansion to train an army, what was she thinking about? !
And where did she get the money to be able to raise 30,000 soldiers and horses and at the same time conscript foreign troops? !
Suddenly, Su Bai's heart was full of turmoil, wishing to bring Wei Lan into the palace immediately.
Xie Xue saw that Su Bai's face changed drastically, she couldn't help but smiled, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
Su Bai couldn't sit still anymore, chatted casually with the two sisters, and left in a hurry. After she left, Xie Xue showed a happy smile, and before she could say goodbye, she heard Concubine Xie say, "Kneel down!"
Xie Xue was stunned, Concubine Xie gave a look, and the maid next to her rushed up and pressed Xie Xue down, Xie Xue was shocked, and Concubine Xie said coldly: "You came to me today, is it for this matter? "
"Sixth sister, you misunderstood..."
"I'm not blind yet!" Concubine Xie was furious: "Now that the Wei and Xie families are on good terms, what do you want to do by doing such a thing?! If you can't give me an explanation today, I will never forgive you!"
"Sixth sister, don't be angry! I was wrong, I was really wrong!" Xie Xue hurriedly begged for mercy. She couldn't explain to Concubine Xie that it was their second wife's selfishness to let Xie Zichen be the head of the family, and it was her selfishness to teach Wei Lan a lesson, so how could she say it
Concubine Xie sneered and said angrily, "Slap your mouth."
The maids picked up the board and started drawing directly. Concubine Xie Guifei stood in front of Xie Xue and said condescendingly: "I don't understand your little thoughts, you prefer your fourth brother, and you always feel that Wei Xiang ruined him, but have you asked, is this the fourth brother's own request?" Besides, you only see your fourth brother calling the wind and rain in the court, but have you ever thought that he is struggling? If you destroy the friendship between your fourth brother and Wei Xiang for the mere position of patriarch, do you know what it is called? This is called self-destruction Great Wall!"
"Why do you think the Wang family has never moved now? Why do you think I am like a fish in water in the palace now? How do you think the glory of the Xie family came from now? If Prime Minister Wei turns around and joins hands with the Wang family, you will try it in the future?!"
"Your second room is really a bunch of bastards..."
Concubine Xie was so angry that she took the board from the side and swiped it by herself. Angrily said: "How can I have such a stupid girl like you?!"
"I was wrong... Sixth sister, I was wrong..."
Xie Xue burst into tears, and Concubine Xie's heart softened. Thinking of Xie Xue's temperament, she sighed, threw the board away, and said a little tiredly, "Tie her up and send her to Xiang Wei."
"Your Majesty," said a court lady, "Isn't this bad? Now His Majesty already knows that Wei Xiang must be extremely angry, and she can't guess who did it now, so we... let's forget it?"
Concubine Xie Guifei didn't speak, after thinking for a while, she sighed and said helplessly: "Forget it, take her down, and give Zichen a message."
"Just say," Concubine Xie pursed her lips, "Your Majesty knows about Wei Lan's conscription, let him make preparations early."