The Queen Mother sent someone to report that Jing Niang had contradicted Concubine Li in the harem. The two met on a narrow road on the corridor and had an argument about giving way. Concubine Li and Wang Zhong bowed and said.
At this time, Guo Shao was sitting in a chair, staring at a pile of scribbled words and some pictures on the table. He turned his head and glanced at Wang Zhong: Go tell Queen Duanci to let her
When Guo Shao said this, he finally realized that Empress Duanci was no longer there, and Fu Jinzhan was not here either.
Wang Zhong suddenly fell silent and couldn't utter a word.
Suddenly, a trace of sadness surged into Guo Shao's heart. When Jinzhan left, he didn't feel sad or desperate, and his real feelings were not very strong, and he didn't cry like a woman. However, Jinzhan's shadow would appear from time to time and sting him; her smiles and frowns, every bit, like fragments, would flash through his mind from time to time inexplicably. This process is very long, and I'm afraid it will never be eliminated.
I forgot that Empress Duanci went back to the Fu family. Guo Shao said expressionlessly.
Wang Zhong nodded quickly, thought hard for a moment and said: The emperor is busy with state affairs, so he should take care of his health.
Guo Shao raised his hands and patted the table twice, then let out a long breath. This woman's matter was as thin and tangled as a fishing line, and it was not easy to handle, but he could control the world, and he could also understand that the harem was just a matter of whether or not it was willing to put in the effort.
But understanding it doesn't mean you can solve it. The key is an identity issue. He holds the power of life and death, but he can't talk about love with someone at night and then turn around to reason with her. It's best for a woman to come forward in such matters.
Guo Shao rubbed his forehead with his hand for a while and quickly grasped the key point. He did not ask what happened specifically, but only asked Wang Zhong: Did Jingniang give way
Wang Zhong hurriedly said: I gave in, but
Guo Shao made a gesture and Wang Zhong quickly stopped talking.
He asked the second question: What did Jingniang do wrong
Hiss, Wang Zhong lowered his head in thought, and after a moment he suddenly realized that Concubine Li said that she was of low status, and that she was not polite and disrespectful to the imperial concubine, breaking the rules.
Guo Shao quickly said: Jingniang gave way, she didn't mean to fight for power, and what power was she fighting for with a Tangut woman? I just understand her. But there are tens of thousands of people in the palace, if there is no rule or justice, is there still order
It is not appropriate for me to intervene in this matter. I can only suppress it temporarily. It will not convince people and will only cause more trouble. The Queen must intervene. You should quietly tell her my suggestion: the fault lies with Jingniang. You must make sure of this. Then, give her a slight punishment and forbid her from setting foot in Xuanyou Gate for half a month.
Disrespect and impoliteness can be a big or small matter. Now that the queen has a solid reason, she can exercise due discretion according to her own considerations to establish her authority; however, right and wrong cannot be reversed. If you want to convince others, you have to be reasonable and follow the rules, which is the same as military law.
Wang Zhong said with admiration: Your Majesty is wise.
Guo Shao said in a deep voice again: After Jingniang is driven out of the harem, take her to Yangde Palace immediately.
“Yes.” Wang Zhong bowed.
Half an hour later, Wang Zhong walked into the study cautiously. Guo Shao said to Zan Jurun who was standing in front of the imperial desk: Let's try this method, but don't use iron, try using copper cannon.
Zan Jurun glanced at Wang Zhong slightly and bowed, saying: I obey your order.
Wang Zhong walked forward, leaned over Guo Shao and whispered: Jingniang has arrived at Yangde Palace.
When Guo Shao heard this, he knew that Jingniang accepted Fu Ermei's punishment. She was not a completely unreasonable person, but he had indeed neglected her recently. She was also a human being and could not be thrown aside like an object.
He immediately dropped what he was doing, stood up and went into the Yangde Hall.
The hall of Yangde Hall has good lighting, with ventilation on the north, south and east sides. Sunlight pours in from a window. When Guo Shaogang walks in, it's as if he sees a ray of light fog, and the quiet and magnificent hall is also covered with a layer of faint gilded light.
Jingniang was wearing a simple and forgiving dress, and she stood behind the light mist. Through the sunlight, her expression seemed a little uncertain, as if she was apologetic, but also as cold as ice, with an air of unyielding determination.
When she saw Guo Shao, she knelt down slightly and performed an awkward etiquette. Even in front of the emperor, she was so polite that ordinary people could not obey her.
Jingniang. Guo Shao called her softly, looking at her face carefully. At this moment, Guo Shao didn't think of anything else but her.
This sentence immediately broke the ice on Jingniang's face. She hummed in response, and her eyes became more obedient.
Guo Shao pointed to the soft couch next to the chess table and said: Let's sit down and talk.
She followed silently and sat on the couch beside Guo Shao. She didn't speak actively, although she was sometimes eloquent, but Guo Shao felt that she was actually a dull person.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and said: After a while, when this little thing is over, I will give you a title.
Jingniang said: I don’t want it.
Guo Shao:
This is how things are in the world. Some people don't want something, but others don't want something. With Guo Shao's wealth and power, if she wanted honor and wealth, Guo Shao would definitely be very generous and give her whatever she wanted. But Guo Shao couldn't give her what she wanted.
Guo Shao sighed and said: I am very grateful and apologetic.
Jingniang looked at him and said, "I haven't admitted my fault yet, but you are admitting your fault. What are you apologizing for? What are you thanking me for?"
Guo Shao said slowly: I have lived for so many years, and I have only seen the weak being eaten by the strong, and I only believe in strength and the game of advantages and disadvantages. However, I am sure that there is indeed something in this world, which, although it cannot be touched or seen, is real and exists in the world.
He gave a forced smile: Thank you for treating me with all your heart over the years. It is very rare and difficult.
Jingniang pursed her slightly thick lips, her eyes sparkling, as if pleading and pitiful, but her expression was still very serious.
Guo Shao looked at her and felt sad. He said in his heart: I am also very ashamed. I can't give you what you want.
Jingniang laughed, a bitter laugh or a cold laugh. Needless to say, I already know what kind of people you are. What do I want? I have never wanted anything.
Guo Shao was wondering what you meant and was unable to respond in time.
Jingniang's heart was heaving and trembling like jelly, and she seemed a little angry. Her emotions were very unstable, and she said weakly: I knew it a long time ago, but sometimes I can't help it. I don't understand how you can be nice to this one and then be nice to another. She said coldly, I really admire you. She was a little angry again.
Guo Shaodao: Being single-minded is even more cruel.
Jingniang looked at him in surprise.
Guo Shao said in a deep voice: Given the current national system and worldly rules, for people like us, the consequences of being favored alone will be even more serious.
Jingniang was speechless with all she was thinking.
After Guo Shao finished speaking, his tone softened immediately, and he said kindly: I can only treat you with my heart, and that's what I have been doing all these years, isn't it
Hmm. Jingniang felt weak and seemed to have no strength left.
Guo Shao tried to reach out and touch the back of her hand. She did not refuse, so he held her slightly larger and slender hand in his palm.
At this time, Jingniang asked in a low voice: That Li Yueji looks like she is hard to keep, does Your Majesty just want to use her to stabilize the Tanguts
Guo Shao thought to himself that he really had no feelings for Li Yueji, and was very dissatisfied with her escape; but she was just a woman, and she did something wrong to be sold here and there for power and profit. In this place where she had no relatives, she was actually a pitiful person, even if she was a princess.
But saying this to Jingniang was obviously looking for trouble, so Guo Shao just nodded calmly.
Jingniang was finally much more satisfied.
Guo Shao took the opportunity to say: Let me serve you well
After hearing this, Jingniang accidentally burst out laughing and rolled her eyes at him.
Li Yueji had returned to her palace in a depressed mood, accompanied by an older eunuch and a palace lady. The eunuch was defending her: they said it was a punishment for Jingniang, but the method was to not allow her to enter the harem for half a month. Now that she could not enter, she could only live in the outer court, and was legitimately around the emperor all day long. Was this a punishment or a good thing
The palace woman said: What else can we do? At least we should admit that she was wrong to disobey the virtuous concubine. The virtuous concubine's identity is obvious. It is Jing Niang who has offended us. If it were someone else, how could they be so easy
Li Yueji murmured: I am not even as good as a woman without a name. Do you think it is unnecessary for me to marry here
The palace woman said: Your Majesty, please don't say such discouraging words. There are tens of thousands of women in this palace, and many of them dream of having the status and position of your Majesty, but it is impossible to get it. The virtuous concubine is one of the four ladies in the world. She is the most noble woman under the queen, and only the queen is higher than you. What else do you want
The eunuch couldn't help but interject: Your Majesty is a princess in her natal family, how can she be compared with people of your status
The palace lady blurted out: "Can the princess of Xiazhou be as good as the imperial concubine of Tokyo?"
Li Yueji was very unhappy after hearing this, but she was not in the mood at all.
The palace woman stepped forward and whispered: Do you think the emperor favors Jingniang
Li Yueji said: Do you think I'm stupid
The palace woman said: "It is said that Jingniang has been with the emperor for a long time. If we really want to fight, we can't just look at the status. To put it bluntly, in the palace, who is high and who is low is still determined by the emperor's words. I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
Li Yueji said weakly: Just say whatever you want to say. It’s useless for me to have a face in front of you if others don’t recognize it.
The palace lady said carefully: "I know I shouldn't talk too much, but I can't help but want to remind you. If I don't want you to be well, there's no need to say something that will offend you."
Li Yueji glanced at her and said: Speak.
The palace lady then bent down and put her mouth close to Li Yueji's ear.