Empress Chu

Xie Yanfang laughed, and saluted Chu Zhao, thanking her for teasing.

Chu Zhao and Xiao Yu went to the imperial garden to enjoy the flower banquet, while Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang went forward together.

They haven't seen each other for more than half a year, and the two seem a little strange.

"Thank you for your condolences, my lord." Deng Yi said first.

Xie Yanfang thanked her, and said: "Master Tai Tu has worked hard."

Deng Yi smiled, and looked at Xie Yanfang: "Master Xie is working hard even when he is not in court. There is something at home, and Mr. Xie is still bothering about the Chen Liang case in Hezhou. Without Mr. Xie's help, the Zheng family, a grain merchant, would not have handed over the account books so quickly. The moths in the upper and lower government offices of the state have not been dug out so smoothly."

The Chen Liang case was a case that was involved after the flood disaster last year. The relief food in Hezhou was replaced with Chen mold food, resulting in hundreds of people not dying in the flood, but dying of illness and starvation caused by the mold food. .

But this matter is not so easy to investigate. The local government reasoned that the food was moldy due to the flood and dampness, and colluded with each other to hide the evidence. It was not until Zheng, a wealthy grain merchant in Hezhou, found out that he had gone astray, and took out the secret accounts that had been with the government over the years. Let it all be clear.

And the reason why Mrs. Zheng was willing to release the evidence was because of Mrs. Xie's persuasion.

The public didn't know about it, but the imperial court knew about it. At that time, Xie Yanfang rushed to hide her identity and entered Hezhou and Deng Yi knew about it immediately.

Although I don't know what Xie Yanfang said to Mrs. Zheng, but after Xie Yanfang left, Mrs. Zheng dug out the hidden account book from the ancestral house, then held the account book in his hand, and committed suicide in front of the imperial envoy.

Xie Yanfang didn't deny it, but she didn't say much, she just sighed: "Old Master Zheng and my grandfather are old friends, my grandfather spoke to him from the bottom of his heart as a dying person, Old Master Zheng has awakened."

From the bottom of my heart?I'm afraid there is another deal, Deng Yi smiled coldly.

Xie Yanfang didn't tell Deng Yiduo, at this time they walked to the front court, many officials were waiting, seeing Xie Yanfang they all greeted them happily.

"My lord, you are back."

"Have you met His Majesty and the Empress? Hurry up, there are many things in the ministry waiting for your Excellency to decide."

Talking and laughing surrounded Xie Yanfang and left.

Deng Yi stood in front of the hall and watched them off.

"This Xie Yanfang is finally back." An official said, "Your Excellency has been blamed for it."

Mentioning this, another official was annoyed: "Obviously he took away the qualification for disaster relief, but he spread rumors to avoid the Taifu, and pretended to be excluded in the court."

"Also, Mrs. Xie's death is too timely." An official said softly, "I don't think Mr. Xie is tired of serving the sick at home. He is too tired to receive people who have been paying condolences for several months."

The Xie family is silent in the capital, so far none of the elders of the family have come to the capital, but they are entrenched in Dongyang as the emperor's ancestral home, there is no staring eyes, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, but they are relaxed and at ease.

"He's not in the court, so it doesn't affect his status. On the contrary, he took the opportunity to win over a lot of people outside." Another person said in a deep voice.

"That's right." The official who spoke first thought of something, "Teacher, Xie Yanfang should be left behind, and ask him, where are the tens of thousands of stone grains that the Zheng family in Hezhou disappeared?"

Deng Yi smiled: "Ask? Master Xie doesn't want to say, who in the world can ask him?"

Chapter 8 Watching

"What did he say?"

Cai Bo was waiting for Xie Yanfang at the palace gate, looking at Deng Yi who was surrounded by all the officials.

"Did you ask Zheng Shiliang about it?"

"He told me to mourn, and said that I worked hard." Xie Yanfang said with a smile, "Master Taifu is very kind and amiable. He only thanked me for helping to solve the old grain case in Hezhou, and he didn't pursue me for any benefits."

"Third Young Master, you think he is amiable." Cai Bo said, "Manchu officials and His Majesty's teachers don't think so."

Although Deng Yi's replacement of His Majesty's teacher happened after Xie Yanfang left the capital, he knew about it at that time.

But I didn't pay attention to it, let alone objected.

At this moment, he still smiled: "It is also a good thing to be strict with His Majesty's studies."

Xie Yanfang told about the fact that Chu Zhao was going to take Majesty to enjoy the flowers just now, and smiled softly: "The Tai Tuo is also very strict with the Queen."

Cai Bo shook his head: "It's not that he is strict with His Majesty's studies, but he doesn't want the teachers to get too close to His Majesty. They change every six months. These gentlemen are all strangers to His Majesty."

For His Majesty who has lost a loved one, it is too easy for the young birds to recognize their relatives.

"As for the empress—" Cai Bo said, "what if he is strict with the empress, anyway, he listens to whatever the empress says, and it is the same with King Zhongshan, and it is also the same for His Majesty not to go to class to play."

Thinking of what Chu Zhao said in front of Deng Yi just now, he was really not afraid at all, and Deng Yi finally let it go, Xie Yanfang laughed again.

He naturally knew the truth of what Cai Bo said, but the Taifu's strictness towards the queen was different from that of other people, it was purposeless, and the words were pure and strict.

This harshness is sincere.

Du Qi led the chariot and horses over, interrupting Xie Yanfang's trance, he lifted the curtain and sat in the car, Cai Bo also sat in, the car was spacious and comfortable, there was a tea stove and tea set on the car table, Cai Bo was skilled at pouring tea .

"My son has avoided the court for more than half a year, and the Tai Tuo and the empress have become closer and closer." Cai Bo said.

Of course, he didn't care that the Tai Tuo was close to the Empress, what he cared about was that His Majesty would be led by the Empress to get close to the Tai Tuo.

How close His Majesty is to this Queen, they know best in their hearts, but the Queen's preferences can affect His Majesty too much.

"Third Young Master went back this time and calmed down the family. Mrs. Xie will not come to the capital. We have really become distant relatives of His Majesty."

Cai Bo sighed lightly when he said this.

"I know the third son is worried. It's for your majesty's benefit not to start a conflict with the empress dowager. But your majesty is a child of our family. It's really unreasonable for the old man not to get close to him."

"Your Majesty will not stay close to us just because we are far away." Xie Yanfang said softly while holding the teacup, "When I came back this time, Your Majesty saw my eyes sparkle. I am not alienated at all, but even closer."

He left the capital, but wrote to Chu Zhao every half a month, telling what he saw on the way, what he heard during the disaster relief, and even the intertwined relationship among local officials, and he did not hide the misery of the people after the disaster.

That girl would tell Xiao Yu these beliefs, because she knew that this would help the little emperor understand the world better.

This is how sincerity and intimacy are conveyed through the nib.

Even better than what a face-to-face can convey.

The distance was never a big deal. The child hated him and alienated him because of life and death. With time and his sincerity, it has been resolved now.

"Also, the Taifu obeys the queen's words, and there is nothing to be nervous about when the queen is close to the Taifu. The reason why they are like this is that they have the same purpose and the same desire. However, people are different, and it is impossible to always want the same. of."

He looked at Cai Bo.

"The Taifu issued two edicts to the frontier army, does the Empress know?"

……

……

When night fell, Xiao Yu was already fast asleep.

There was a lot of fun at the flower viewing banquet today, pot throwing, archery, swing, polo, Chu Zhao took Xiao Yu to play the whole process.

After returning, Xiao Yu also completed the homework promised to Deng Yi.

After all this was done, the exhausted child fell asleep.

Chu Zhao picked up the bamboo tube beside the bed.

"Your Majesty has not used this for a long time." Eunuch Qi whispered, "How about putting it away?"

Chu Zhao shook his head and said in a low voice, "Wait a little longer, when he says no, let's not make the decision for him."

Eunuch Qi responded and helped put down the curtain: "Your Majesty, go and rest."

Chu Zhao didn't go to rest, but came to the study, read the memorials, and looked at the progress of the court affairs. This was her homework.

Although he is only listening to politics behind a curtain and is not qualified to express his views on the court affairs, since he is sitting in the court hall, he cannot be deaf and dumb.

Ale smoked incense in the room, while talking to Xiaoman, and the two seemed to have a dispute about what they said.

"What are you arguing about?" Chu Zhao raised his head and asked.

Xiaoman snorted and ignored.

Ah Le said with a smile: "It's not noisy, I guess Miss will write a letter to Uncle Zhong tomorrow, and Xiaomanguess Miss will write to Uncle Zhong the day after tomorrow."

Although the imperial court has a newspaper from Bianjun's mansion, Chu Zhao still maintains correspondence with Zhong Changrong. Of course, for safety, the letters are conveyed through Xiaoman and Mu Mianhong.

Therefore, Chu Zhao will also write letters to Mumianhong.

The last time I wrote a letter was years ago, and spring began in the blink of an eye——

Uncle Zhong is fine, and the empress’s movement report can also be seen. In order to tame [-] soldiers and horses, Mu Mianhong hides in the wilderness of deep mountains, hills, valleys, and is almost isolated from the world.

She misses her very much.

"I didn't guess, what's there to guess." Xiaoman snorted and said, "The imperial court issued an edict to Bianjun, and the Bianjun will send people to the capital soon. Zhong Changrong might come in person, what can I say? If you want to ask, just ask face to face."

Of course Chu Zhao knew about this matter, it was decided by the court, and she had personally read the edict.

A Le asked Chu Zhao nervously: "Miss, will Uncle Zhong come in person?"

Chu Zhao laughed: "How could Uncle Zhong come, he can't leave."

Ah Le asked again: "Then--will Ah Jiu come? Didn't Ah Jiu follow Uncle Zhong, and Uncle Zhong can ask him to come instead of him."

Ah Jiu, Chu Zhao hesitated, nodded and shook his head: "I don't know."

A Le said: "Miss, you should call the Taifu directly to let him come."

Chu Zhao shook his head: "That can't be done. He has to make his own decisions on this matter, and he can't be forced to come." She put down the memorial in her hand, looked at the bright palace lantern, "And Ah Jiu likes the frontier army very much."

In Bianjun, he was Ah Jiu, not Xie Yanlai.

This capital is a prison for him, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't come.

"Don't worry, Uncle Zhong will make arrangements after receiving the edict." Chu Zhao said with a smile, "Just wait and listen to Uncle Zhong's words in the court hall."

Ale nodded and sat down opposite Chu Zhao.

"Uncle Zhong will not come, and Ah Jiu may not." She said, stretching out her hand to rub the ink, "Miss, you should write a letter today. At that time, you will listen to Uncle Zhong in the court, so that Uncle Zhong can also listen to you in Border County." say."

Chu Zhao nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll write two or three letters tonight." After finishing speaking, he spread out the letter paper and dipped his pen in ink.

Xiaoman didn't come over, but took a few steps outside, looking around vigilantly, but a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, there was always a letter for her aunt among the two or three letters.

……

……

In the deep night, Xie Yanfang was writing something after washing.

"Young master." Du Qi opened the door and came in, followed by Xie Qiye, "The news from Yunzhong County said that Xie Yanlai will come to the imperial court as an envoy of the frontier army."

Xie Yanfang raised her head, said oh, her expression didn't change much, but Xie Qiye's face was already ashen.

"Didn't the people over there tell him?" He said angrily, "We sent so many people, are they all fools?"

Xie Yanfang smiled: "Seventh Uncle, it's not like you don't know, when did he hear the words."

Of course Xie Qiye also knew, and said coldly: "It doesn't matter if you didn't listen before, but if it affects our affairs this time, let him never listen to the words again, let's die on the way, he is useless."

Xie Yanfang held her pen and thought: "Did you die on the way? I'll think about the pros and cons."

Chapter 9 Gift Giving

The spring flowering period is short, with a gust of wind and rain, the flowers that were flourishing a few days ago disappeared, scattered on the ground in the pool water, and were quickly swept away, and the noise of the branches was replaced by thick green leaves.

Deng Yi stood on the porch, drinking tea while looking at the trees in the courtyard.

"Second Master, your official hat." The servant ran out from behind holding the hat.

Deng Yi hummed twice.

The young servant saw the official robes still in the room, and asked, "It's strange, why didn't the second master go to court today?"

A servant stepped in from outside and said in a low voice: "My lord, the latest news from Bianjun is that Xie Yanlai is the one who has entered the capital."

Deng Yi finished his tea: "I knew it would be like this."

Just as the servant was about to reach out his hand, the new servant had already taken the tea bowl: "Fortunately, the Taifu has other preparations." He paused at this point, "Should I tell the Queen about Liang Qiang's entry into Beijing? After all, the Liang family and the Queen had previously -"

Deng Yi also knew what happened to the Liang family and the empress back then.

"Actually, the empress and the Liang family had nothing to do with each other. It was just a discord between the sons and daughters. As for the Liang family's crime and exile, it was Xie Yanfang who cleaned the prince's hands. In the name of the children's affairs, the empress had to bear the enmity with the Liang family. ."He said.

The attendant nodded: "Although this is true, people will always remember these children's affairs more. If rumors are spread over time, no hatred will become a real hatred."

Being a true enemy doesn't do the queen any good, only some people.

Deng Yi said indifferently: "What I want to ask is the details of the frontier army. Military and national affairs have nothing to do with personal affairs. Just like the queen's arrangements for the frontier army before are also military and national affairs and have nothing to do with personal affairs. I don't want to ask."

The attendant understood what he meant. Earlier, Xie Yanfang's younger brother Xie Yanlai followed the Queen to the frontier army, and started to lead the army. It is said that now he is also leading the guards of the fallen city of Chu Ling back then.

Neither the Queen nor the frontier army asked the Taifu for instructions on this matter, and the Taifu did not intervene or object. This is the Taifu's trust in the Queen.