A layer of rain fell in the Imperial Capital around noon. Although it gradually stopped in the afternoon, a leafy green pine in the courtyard was full of water. Only a gentle breeze passed by, and as it shook, there were cold water droplets as big as beans. smashed down.
It spreads on the brocade jacket and penetrates into the skin, which is the unique coldness of this season.
It is always cold to the heart.
Dou Su knelt down at the side and behind him, wanting to cry but not daring to do so. When no one was passing by, he persuaded Duke Xiangxiao in a tearful voice: "Why don't the prince just say it was the Dou family's intention? Anyway, the prince is here now." I’ve decided, there’s nothing you can do if you don’t admit it, you’re suffering here in vain... It’s so cold today, it’s just a small thing, but if you get caught in the cold, what will happen?”
"..." Gong Xiangxiao was too lazy to pay attention to him. He just knelt numbly and looked at the railing not far away expressionlessly.
Someone just happened to come in from the Moon Cave Gate and walked through the railing. They walked leisurely and did not even look at their master and servants. After all, the prince had been punished by the prince for several days in a row, and people who could enter and leave this courtyard had long been tired of seeing it.
Gong Xiangxiao was also tired of kneeling. He had just made a scene the day before yesterday. He rushed into the study at the end of the railing with a loud voice and told the regent to kill him or behead him. Why did he humiliate him so slowly? !
Then, just like the previous two times, he was taken out by the guards and forced to kneel back to the original position. The penalty kneeling was also extended for two hours.
The earliest reason for this punishment was the poisoning of Concubine Xian. The regent swore at the court meeting that the person in charge was Princess Minghui and that the perpetrators were the remnants of the Ji family. However, in fact, he almost smashed the entire study just after returning to the palace. Then, with trembling hands, he summoned the crown prince to him and asked him what was going on with Liuhong? !
Gong Xiangxiao was also very frightened when he heard that Concubine Xian was poisoned by Liu Hongxia. At first, he felt that he was in the wrong and refused to fight back or scold him. He almost told everything he knew, but later he felt that something was wrong - Regent After discussing with his staff for a while, the king decided that even if the Empress Dowager came to help and persuaded Princess Minghui to plead guilty, Chunjia's methods could not be ignored. Therefore, Liuhong's thread must be completely eliminated. .
Of course, it was impossible for the regent to push Gong Xiangxiao out of the jar. The irony is that this was not out of pure father-son friendship, but because Gong Xiangxiao was his first wife and legitimate son, and he was also the crown prince who was officially canonized by the imperial court. How could the regent have nothing to do with what Gong Xiangxiao did
But if a random person is caught as a scapegoat, he may not be able to explain it to the court, so the regent thought of the Dou family.
The Dou family was just an ordinary official family. Because their legitimate daughter was favored by the regent when they were young, and they got a princess, they gradually started to improve, but they never really became prominent from the beginning to the end. Because Xiaozong arranged for their children to join the Imperial City Division, which oversees the world and is directly subordinate to the emperor. It has a lot of power, but its status is not very high, and it is very low-key from top to bottom... When Princess Dou passed away and Concubine Lu came through, the prince Gong Xiangxiao was gradually ignored by the regent, and the Dou family gradually declined within the Imperial City Division.
Although there is Gong Xiangxiao as a connection, in fact, the Regent's Palace and the Dou family have not had any serious contact for a long time. Even during the holidays, both parties would exchange gifts in a meaningful way.
The regent doesn't care much for the prince now, and certainly won't feel sorry for his ex-in-law's family.
Moreover, his staff also advised Gong Xiangxiao: "It's not that time yet, but I am very keen and ruthless, so I am prepared in advance just in case. Why should I, the prince, be stubborn with the prince? The prince is also here for you. good."
The truth seems to be this. After all, the fall of the regent is not a good thing for anyone in the regent's house. But from Gong Xiangxiao's point of view, he has no reservations since he lost his mother and concubine and his father. After his love, the chips in his hands were getting smaller and smaller. Now, apart from his friendship with Qi Jiulu, the only thing left was the Dou family, his maternal family.
Even if the Dou family is no longer very helpful to him, at least they are on his side from the bottom of their hearts - even though Gong Xiangxiao also knows that the Dou family does this because they feel that his identity is still valuable. Thinking about it, but after all, it was his maternal family who watched him grow up and always spoke softly to him and cared for him in every possible way.
He would never throw this wife out as an abandoned child.
The father and son were at a stalemate.
In fact, with the regent's methods, what if the prince doesn't agree? He has plenty of ways to make the Dou family take the blame.
But this time, perhaps the poisoning of Concubine Xian caused too much trouble, and the regent was really angry, and he must force the prince to bow his head.
But Gong Xiangxiao insisted and refused, so the stalemate continued.
Many people came to persuade them, and the staff were sure to say it. Although the Dou family still didn't know what was going on, they still came to plead guilty on behalf of Duke Xiangxiao, and asked the regent to consider the prince's youth and immaturity. Forgive him, even Concubine Lu Ji rarely came over to smooth things over: "A few days ago, the eldest princess of Dongxing mentioned the mistreatment of the prince in our family. Now the weather is cold, and the prince has always been pampered, and has been kneeling in the wind and rain. How can it be done? When the time comes, I will kneel down and do whatever it takes. I don’t know what to say to the outside world, and the clan will also ask questions. Besides, the prince has two children, the son and Zhen’er, how can he not cherish them? "
But he failed to persuade the regent to change his mind.
Dou Su, the young servant, had already had private discussions with Gong Xiangxiao several times. He felt that the regent just felt that his father's face had been refuted and he couldn't step down. He was rushing to fight with Chunjia under the pressure of the critical moment, which was a bit over the top.
Duke Xiangxiao is his son, so what if he lowers his head to me
Yes, your father doesn't care about you so much now, so you are kneeling down here. Aren't you happy for the step-concubine, mother and son, and making the princess feel uncomfortable
But Gong Xiangxiao Mo was stunned. He would argue a few words earlier, but now he said nothing. He was almost ready to kneel down and die in front of the regent's study.
Dou Su felt panicked when he saw it. He said a few words timidly and then lost the confidence to continue.
When he knelt back with confusion in his heart, another person came in through the moon cave door.
These days, people who pass by are tired of looking at their masters and servants, and they are no longer fresh and shy when they look at the people passing by. The master and the servant are kneeling in the courtyard without any distractions, letting the accumulated rain on the pine branches crackle with the gusts of westerly wind. Hit it down and splash all over your head.
But this time the people who came did not go through the corridor, but walked directly down to the courtyard, and came to Gong Xiangxiao from the side. There was a rustling sound, and the water droplets above his head were blocked together with the skylight. Gong Xiangxiao was startled. It took him a while to come back to his senses, but someone came to hold an umbrella for him... Speaking of which, he didn't even remember how many days he had been kneeling here. This was the first time someone had done this.
Earlier, people from the Dou family did not dare to come, and Concubine Lu Ji was unwilling. Due to various considerations, the others could only help the regent to calm their cheeks, but none of them treated him directly.
He knew in his heart that this was not the right time to be distracted, as this would make his heir apparent even more embarrassed and even less favored.
However, Gong Xiangxiao still subconsciously thought of Chunjia for a moment, the distant cousin he had always looked down upon when he was young. How did he get there when he just ascended the throne
After all, he is far worse than Chunjia.
If it were Chunjia, he would definitely not be forced to this point and still have no power to fight back.
Gong Xiangxiao was confused for a moment, but this confusion quickly subsided and turned into indifference after seeing the face of the visitor clearly.
He didn't say anything harsh to Lu Chuncao. He stood up, walked a few steps to the side and knelt down, avoiding the umbrella he held up.
"If the Crown Prince resents me, he should take more care of himself." Lu Chuncao was neither angry nor disappointed. He just leaned over and handed the umbrella to Dou Su, saying slowly, "After all, once the Crown Prince is in trouble, will there be anyone who cares for you?" What to do?"
Because he was a eunuch, he had a fair face and no beard, and his appearance was not bad - otherwise he would not have been able to serve the queen and the emperor successively - but he was not very tall. According to Gong Xiangxiao's subconscious estimate, he was probably not as tall as the concubine Yun Fenghuang. almost. Yun Fenghuang is relatively tall among women, but among men, especially among officials selected according to the dynasty's standards of words and deeds, he eclipses everyone.
Gong Xiangxiao thought maliciously: This old eunuch should not be destined to be a man.
He sneered and said, "Isn't this what you and Mr. Lu want? Why bother pretending to be a good person?"
Lu Chuncao looked at him and smiled. He seemed to have just come to persuade Gong Xiangxiao to cherish him. He had no intention of explaining Gong Xiangxiao's retort. He just shook his head, rolled up his sleeves, turned around and went up the corridor towards the study. went.
At this time, the regent was in the study. Not long after he entered, a waiter came out. With a little relief, he told Gong Xiangxiao: "The prince asked you to go back and rest. There is no need to continue kneeling."
Dou Su let out a long sigh of relief, but Gong Xiangxiao's complexion suddenly turned pale.
He didn't think it was a coincidence that the regent had decided not to argue with him. It could only be Lu Chuncao's persuasion. At this moment, Gong Xiangxiao's chest was full of mixed feelings, and he couldn't tell what he was feeling.
Anyway, it's definitely not gratitude, but rather disgusting and disgusting.
If Lu Chuncao didn't come to deliver the umbrella and talk, but went directly to the study to talk about this matter like the others, Gong Xiangxiao's master and servant might not be able to know even if they were kneeling in confusion right now, and they would be sent back if they were sent back... But here comes Lu Chuncao After such a trip, now the regent asked him to go back, what does this mean? !
what is this? !
Who is he, Lu Chuncao, and what is the Lu family—the regent actually allowed them to override him! ! !
Or one should ask, in the eyes of the regent, what does his father Xiangxiao mean? !
The only one left behind by his first wife who just "died of illness", or is he an eyesore who doesn't like her in every possible way after having a legitimate second son? !
"Prince?" The waiter who came to deliver the message looked at Gong Xiangxiao very worriedly. His eyes were full of depression and boredom that he was worried that he would cause trouble again. His tone was deliberately soothing and persuasive, "Your clothes are wet. It's cold. If you want to No, go back and take a bath and change clothes first? The prince may call you over later."
The last sentence was a lie to Gong Xiangxiao, thinking that if the prince believed it, he might go back and tidy up and wait for the summons to cause further trouble, instead of going crazy right now and asking him to go back and be blamed by the regent for not doing his job well.
Gong Xiangxiao rolled up his sleeves. His robes were indeed very wet, but because of his extreme anger, he did not feel cold. Instead, he felt a strange burning sensation, and veins popped up on his forehead - sadly, his brain In a flash of lightning, he thought that he must be the one who suffered the consequences of the commotion. How could he defeat his father when the regent didn't pity him? ! But if there was no trouble, could it be that they just acquiesced to Lu Chuncao's charity? !
Thinking that in the future, everyone would say that the Prince Regent had angered his father and was punished to kneel for many days. If the former Qingping Marquis had not passed by and begged for mercy, he didn't know how it would have ended... Gong Xiangxiao closed his eyes. He didn't care about this tone. Why can't I swallow it
It was not just Concubine Lu Ji’s suppression over the years and the regent’s neglect, but also because Lu Chuncao had just mentioned Princess Dou.
The death of his mother-in-law was so coincidental that many people suspected that it was to make room for Concubine Lu Ji.
When Gong Xiangxiao grew up, he would inevitably hear such speculations, and he was not without doubts in his heart.
If this is true, then what does Lu Chuncao's behavior today mean? ?
Who is he
How will I see my mother and concubine in the future? !
But there are so many things in this world that people who are unwilling to accept are unwilling to accept. Even if you are the prince and facing the regent, what can he do? !
Gong Xiangxiao thought of Chunjia again.
This cousin he once looked down upon, if he were him... what would he do
Chunjia in the palace didn't know that the Prince Regent was trying to find inspiration from his pro-government and seizure of power. He also didn't know that his cousin, who had shown displeasure with him when he first ascended the throne, now felt envious and yearning for him. In fact, he now also I think things are a bit tricky.
It was not because of Princess Minghui who was about to arrive in the imperial capital, but because Empress Dowager Yuan clearly opposed Jin Yunfenghuang as a concubine: "Not to mention that she has not done much recently, and the days of poisoning have made the emperor worry about her, not to mention the Ai family. She's good with just two sentences, but she wants to be promoted to a noble concubine?! Are you kidding me! So what if she narrowly escaped death? No concubine in the palace gave birth with half of her foot in the coffin. Concubine Wei Defi two days ago is a ready-made example. —”
Chunjia said quickly, "The Wei family was promoted to Concubine De from Zhaorong!"
"She comes from a well-known family, has a gentle temperament, and has given birth to a princess for you. It is reasonable to make her a concubine." Empress Dowager Yuan said coldly, "Where is the Xiaoyun family? She is a daughter of a poor family, with no heirs, and a bad temper. The family does not want to say anything about her. Well... the canonization of the virtuous concubine was already a special case, but as for the noble concubine? Don’t even think about it!"
Seeing Chunjia pondering, she softened her tone and added, "Although the fourth concubine has a succession, they are of the same rank. Even if Concubine De is before her, the Wei family has always been gentle, how dare she rely on her position to give her a look? See? Even if Mrs. Wei or the future imperial concubine Shu Fei did this, you don’t want to think about who among the concubines has not been dealt with by Xiaoyun since she entered the palace! Do you still need you to promote her to the throne to ensure her safety?! You are simply You’re just confused!”
How could Chunjia not know this truth? The key is that he had already tactfully agreed to Yun Fenghuang's matter before. What's more, what is the temperament of Concubine Xian? It was so easy for her to win over so many people, and she became the de facto head of the Sixth Palace. It was fine to say that she was not born well enough to be a successor, but she still had to put her under others... Can Yun Fenghuang endure it? !
He didn't want to appoint concubines one after another, so he wanted to persuade Empress Dowager Yuan to compromise again: "Although the concubine Xian has never given birth to a child, she has raised the emperor's eldest son and the emperor's daughter under her knees. The two children are very fond of them, and she always loves them." We must give their mothers and concubines some extra dignity.”
Queen Mother Yuan was silent for a while, sighed, and said: "Your Majesty, if you are really good for Concubine Xian and those two children, you should not even think about promoting Concubine Xian to the throne at this time! "
Seeing that Chunjia was slightly startled, she pursed her lips and said, "Do you think the Ai family said this because they wanted to make things difficult for Concubine Xian? The Ai family also does it for her own good!"