Beyond Gold and Jade [Rebirth]

Just as Ye Yanbai speculated, within three or two days, Emperor Qingzong's serious illness and dying could not be concealed, and the capital, which was undercurrents surging, began to really fall into the struggle for the heir apparent.

Because the prince has been fighting abroad for many years, many people no longer take him seriously. Although the queen is here, the only brother of her natal family is not up to the mark.

The foundation of the Ming Dynasty in the court is not insignificant. He was a 15-year-old attendant on the government affairs. Now it has been more than ten years, and he has taken the title of "eldest son". Among the six departments, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials belong to him. The voice of King Liming becoming the prince is getting higher and higher.

Fortunately, there was Ye Yanbai pressing in front, otherwise the volumes of memorials would have caught Emperor Qingzong's eyes, and he wouldn't have been mad at him.

He opened a few memorials and glanced casually, saying nothing more than that the prince "has no merit or virtue, only the courage of a reckless man", and it is difficult to be a king.

Ye Yanbai sneered, although he didn't like Gu Chen either, he didn't dare to say that His Highness "only has the courage of a reckless man".

Before the establishment of the previous dynasty, the Central Plains had been divided into ten kingdoms. When the ten kingdoms were still one, there was a worry about the northern Tartars in the deserted north of Saibei. The three dynasties had a total of more than [-] years. Many generals wanted to pacify the north, but all Failed, lost to the harsh weather in the north, and the terrain as if created by ghosts and gods, even the old general Meng can only guard in Yong'an City, looking north and sighing.

The reason why King Ming's uncle Zhu Wei returned home in defeat was not because he couldn't beat the Tartars, but because he was self-righteous, dazzled by the victory, and went deep into the desert to pursue the enemy, making five thousand soldiers never return.

In that desert, an unknown number of bloody men were buried, and an unknown number of bones were buried under the loess. For 600 years, only the Northern Expedition Army led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince conquered it and retreated.

In the past few years, some recruits have come back from the northern part of the Great Wall. When talking about the bravery of General Meng, the ingenuity of Junshi Liu, and the heroic deeds of other generals, they are all eloquent and eloquent, but when it comes to His Royal Highness, it is revealed. With an expression of awe and fear, he didn't dare to say much, and only said: It is a blessing in this life to follow His Highness the Crown Prince.

How can such a person be a reckless man.

Ye Yanbai flipped through the memorials, and among the memorials, he saw the records of the Duke of Yue's residence.

He glanced at him briefly, but he couldn't laugh or cry. Seeing the strange expression on his face, Prince Cheng smiled, and said: "Among the heroes who followed the former emperor to conquer Daegu, only the Duke of Yue and the Marquis of Zhenyuan The title is hereditary, which shows how much the late emperor loved the two ancestors. When the king was young, he served as a vanguard under the command of these two people. He admired him very much. The son is one day at a time."

Ye Yanbai lowered his eyes and said with a smile: "It's true, it's really the difference between cloud and mud."

In fact, compared to the Duke of Yue and the Marquis of Zhenyuan, the former emperor's favorite was the great general Meng Tingwei. Unfortunately, he held [-] military power in his hand. Because he was afraid of hurting the relationship between the monarch and his ministers, the first emperor did not take his tiger talisman, but he could not. Give him the title, otherwise it will be passed on from generation to generation, and the land of Daegu will be in whose hands in the future.

Now that old General Meng is gone, the tiger amulet is temporarily in the crown prince's hands, but it is actually in the hands of the emperor. If the new emperor ascends the throne, the tiger amulet will be ordered to be taken back. If Gu Chen fails to hand it in at that time, it will be tantamount to a traitor.

Prince Cheng said: "When Lu Lin was not in his thirties, the Dali Temple was in his hands, and he overwhelmed the Ministry of Criminal Justice and the Jingzhao Mansion. Even this king felt ashamed. A few days ago, the governor of the Jingzhao Mansion came to The Ministry of Punishment approached me and said that I would work with me to renovate Dali Temple and show Lu Lin some flair, but in the end, I sent someone to beat me out."

Ye Yanbai laughed, and said: "My lord hates these tricks the most, but the Governor of Jingzhao has found the wrong person."

Prince Sheng said: "Originally, it is up to each person to handle and investigate cases. This king is not good at this way. The emperor asked me to take charge of the punishment department. This king reluctantly went there. Since Lu Lin likes to investigate, the case will be closed." Give it all to him, this king will take his salary for nothing, and he is happy to be at ease."

Speaking of this, he snorted and said: "In comparison, Duke Yue is far behind, he is quite old, everyone knows about the troubles in the family, the eldest son died disgracefully, A regular wife from a famous family was driven crazy by him. The queen mother was dissatisfied with him, and the Shangguan family even regarded him as an enemy. Now that Beijing is in such a mess, smart people know how to protect themselves, but he is jumping around desperately for fear of others I don’t know, he is a dog of King Xian.”

Ye Yanbai closed the booklet, and said: "Duke Yue is indeed absurd, the truth is just a pity for Mo Zifeng's talent."

Prince Cheng didn't take it seriously: "It's everyone's ability to be reincarnated. This king and Ye Xiang can be reincarnated. It's no wonder that Mo Huaixuan can't be reincarnated."

Ye Yanbai frowned. The education he had received since he was a child was that there is no distinction between high and low in learning. In his opinion, the son of the Mo family is full of talents, while the prince of Sheng is a rough man. It is still unclear who is superior and who is inferior. , so I just smiled perfunctorily.

Prince Sheng also knew that he and people like Ye Yanbai could never get along, but right now his brother was in danger, and the nephews had ulterior motives. , dare not even say a word.

Nowadays, the only one who can vent a few words is this old fox who has always been wrong.

The two of them sorted out today's memorial, withdrew everything related to the throne, sorted the important things that needed to be dealt with into a pile, and sent them to the emperor's bedroom.

Seeing these memorials, the queen mother said: "The emperor has become so ill, you still bother him with these things, go quickly, otherwise Aijia will ask the guards to drive you away."

Emperor Qingzong's face was covered with a layer of ashes, and he said weakly: "Mother, these memorials have been annotated by Ai Qing, and I only read them for my ears. The important affairs of the country should not be trifled with."

The empress dowager's eyes were flushed, she held his hand, and said: "If the crown prince is in Beijing, there is no need for the emperor to take care of these matters. Chen'er really disappointed the Ai family. Could it be that he was really fascinated by military power as the outside world said? Do you want to be self-respecting?"

As soon as she opened her mouth, Empress Mu, who was serving at the side, suddenly changed her face. She wanted to explain, but was snatched away by Concubine Lan Gui, and said: "The empress dowager, the prince is a hero in Daegu. The people outside love the prince more than the prince." Your Majesty, it's just that people's hearts are fleshy, and if your Majesty is so ill, he still hasn't come back, isn't it a little too indifferent."

The Empress Dowager's face was ugly, she looked back and scolded: "I can't stop talking, Ai's family is talking to the emperor, it's your turn to interrupt with a mere noble concubine?"

Concubine Lan quickly pleaded guilty and knelt aside.

She knew that she would be scolded, but she also knew that these words entered the Queen Mother's heart. For the Queen Mother, there is no difference between several emperors and grandchildren. The difference between the heirs is which one is more filial to her.

The prince is rebellious, obviously not liked by the queen mother.

Empress Mu said: "Mother, you watched Chen'er grow up. The empress should know what kind of character he is. The prince went out with the army at the age of 12. It was for the people of Daegu and for the emperor. How could he be so indifferent? People? Saibei is full of desolate deserts, and you can't even drink a sip of hot tea. If you are not careful, you will end up shrouded in horse leather. I want to ask Concubine Lan Gui, will the third prince be willing to suffer this?"

Concubine Lan Gui said: "If His Majesty makes an order, the third prince will naturally agree."

"But the prince voluntarily went, because he is the prince of Daegu, for the people of the country, for the respected father, he risked his life to go to the battlefield!"

Empress Mu knelt in front of the dragon couch, made a prostration ceremony, and said tearfully: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, the crown prince is not in Beijing now, and nothing here can be heard in the desolate desert in the north of Saibei. He does not know that His Majesty is seriously ill. I don't know, he is focused on defending the territory, how could he know that his brothers are all scrambling to replace him!"

This time, not only Concubine Lan Gui, but also the concubines of the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince's mother all changed their expressions and quickly knelt behind Empress Mu.

Concubine Lian said: "It's natural for the empress to be worried about the prince, but it's not easy to talk nonsense. Our little seven is only thirteen, and we are still at the age of ignorance."

Concubine Xu also said: "Empress Empress, the Sixth Prince respects and loves Empress Empress very much, and has never been disrespectful in the slightest. Dare I ask where did I offend Empress Dowager, so that I can slander him so much in front of Empress Dowager and Your Majesty?"

A sneer escaped from the corner of the queen's mouth, but she didn't answer.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, and just about to order them to get up, Emperor Qingzong said calmly: "The Empress gets up and feeds me the medicine."

Empress Mu was taken aback for a moment, thinking that she had heard wrongly. She had been having disputes with the concubines in the harem for a long time. The emperor would scold her first regardless of the reason.

Emperor Qingzong said again: "Concubine Lan Gui, Concubine Lian, Concubine Xu lost her dignity in front of the imperial court and went to kneel outside the palace. When it gets dark again, I don't need you to serve me."

Although they didn't say it clearly, everyone knew in their hearts that the emperor had no intention of changing the crown prince for the time being.

The queen mother frowned and said, "The emperor..."

"Mother, let Li Gui take you back to the palace. If you pass my illness, it will be your son's fault."

The empress dowager's eyes turned red, and she said: "The Ai family has lived enough at this age, and they should have followed the late emperor back then, otherwise they would not have to suffer the pain of being separated from each other. After leaving the husband, are you going to send away the son now..."

Prince Sheng said: "Queen Mother, please stop crying, you are so sad, don't you make the emperor uneasy."

After a few more words of comfort, she stopped crying, and accompanied by the maids and maids, she left Qianzheng Palace.Li Gui helped her, seeing that it was some distance away from the Qianzheng Palace, the Empress Dowager asked: "Director Li, has your majesty made a will?"

Li Guidao: "Returning to the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty's illness has come on urgently, and he has not made a will yet."

The queen mother nodded, waved her hand and said, "Go back and serve the emperor."

As soon as the emperor let go, the Chuan Guoxishou will be temporarily placed in her hands. The emperor did not leave a personal edict, so this matter will be much easier to handle.

=======

In the days that followed, the imperial doctors in Qianzheng Palace changed batch after batch, and the imperial list was posted outside the palace, recruiting famous doctors to treat the emperor, but after seeing it, without exception, they all shook their heads and said: Medicine stone no doctor.

The imperial doctor used Tianshan snow lotus to hang the emperor's life, and it lasted nearly a month.

In the middle of the night, the queen fell asleep on the bench next to the dragon couch. In her sleep, she suddenly felt someone caressing her cheek. She opened her eyes suddenly, only to see Emperor Qingzong standing beside her. She was pleasantly surprised at first, and then It was a feeling of collapse.

This is not a cure, but a return to light.

Emperor Qingzong sat beside her and said, "I suddenly felt refreshed all over, so I got out of bed and walked around."

Ever since Empress Mu learned of the emperor's illness, she hadn't felt sorry for him at all. She was only worried about whether her son could successfully inherit the throne, but at this moment, her eyes suddenly became stingy, and an unspeakable feeling gushed out of her chest.

"Yaxian, you hate me."

Do you hate it... This person gave her supreme honor and made her the saddest woman in the world.It must be hatred, of course it is hatred, but she only shook her head slightly.

Emperor Qingzong twitched the corner of his mouth, and said slowly: "I know you hate me, why don't I hate you, I know that Wanyan's death is related to you."

Empress Mu raised her eyes suddenly, disbelief flashed in her eyes, and there was also a kind of panic that went deep into the bone marrow.

"Wanyan is innocent and innocent. When she first entered the palace, everyone made things difficult for her. If you treat her well, she treats you like her own sister. But she has always been in good health. Why is the fetal position abnormal and difficult to deliver? I asked the imperial doctor later, It is said that it is poisonous like Luozitang, but if you really drink Luozitang, it will not be dystocia, but one dead body and two lives. Therefore, someone must have smoked the medicine on the clothes and exposed Wanyan every day. , will cause her to die during childbirth."

He said: "It's really a smart way. Even if you are found, there is no evidence. Even I have nothing to do with you. What's more, it is too common for a concubine to have a dystocia. Who would investigate it? I didn't think of it until a few years later. Poor little Wu, because of that drug, his mind is underdeveloped, his reaction is slower than ordinary people, and he treats you, a mother-killing enemy, as his own mother."

Empress Mu's face was pale, her lips trembled, she looked like a female ghost.

Emperor Qingzong said: "I won't kill you, because I know that death is a relief for you. I let you sit on the most honored seat, and then picked up one woman after another to trample you. Watching you suffer, I feel helpless." Help, I think Wanyan should be satisfied, but when I dreamed about her just now, she said she was not satisfied, she said that I should forgive you."

"Wanyan treated you sincerely back then, and you were kind of sincere towards her. Over the years, I see that you have taken care of Xiao Wu patiently at the beginning, and then you have become more and more distant and even afraid of him," he said lightly. He smiled and said: "After all, he looks more and more like his mother and concubine. If you see too much, you will feel uneasy."

Empress Mu gritted her teeth, and suddenly asked sharply: "Why should I have a bad conscience!" She raised her eyes ferociously, but tears flowed from her eyes, and she couldn't help crying: "I don't regret it, I never regret it!"

"Lu Wanyan, Lu Wanyan, the reason why I live such a miserable life is because of her, Lu Wanyan! I hate Lan Xin, but I hate her even more! Lan Xin's favor was won by her, but Lu Wanyan, she doesn't have to do anything, you Then I prepared everything and sent it in front of her, Concubine Li, Concubine Li, then Concubine Huang, and in the end, even my seat will be snatched away by her!"

"I have nothing to lose. I just want to protect Chen'er to live. It's not easy for anyone in the harem. In order to survive, who doesn't have blood on their hands? Lan Xin, Xu Anrong, Wang Qinglian, who doesn't I have killed people, they have done more bad things than me! I, in my life, have only killed one person, only one person..."

She looked down at her hand, and suddenly covered her tear-wet cheeks. That person was her good sister.

Tears dripped down the marble floor between her fingers, and she said faintly: "I... I didn't want to kill her at first... I stopped the fumigant, but one day, she told me, you tell her, I want the fifth prince to be the prince."

Emperor Qingzong said: "But Wanyan refused."

"She refused. It was because she was still too young and still retained her innocence and kindness outside the palace. In a few years, one day, she began to miss power. At that time, what should Chen'er and I do? From the hidden mansion to the harem, the thing I can't believe the most is the woman."

Candles were brightly lit in the hall, and the most distinguished couple in Daegu sat on a bench together. It was the first time in more than 20 years that they were so close.

After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Qingzong said: "According to my original idea, after my death, the queen will be buried with me."

Empress Mu let out a foul breath and smiled easily, "My concubine, thank you for your kindness."

Emperor Qingzong shook his head and said: "Now, I have changed my mind. The crown prince has guarded the border for seven years and saved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians from fire and water. I will save his mother and queen. It is the last time I send him as my father." A Gift."

After saying that, he slowly lay back on the dragon couch and closed his eyes.

Empress Mu sat there blankly, looking at the man with a smile on his face, his undulating chest gradually stopped, and his expression was numb.

That year when Shili Hongzhuang married each other, everyone envied her for being the princess.She was also a naive girl in the boudoir, guessing how handsome her husband would be after the red hijab was lifted, she also secretly expected to raise her eyebrows and bring her white hair together.

For more than 20 years, it seems like a mirror image, leaving only hatred.

========

Since the ugly time, the bell of Anhua Building has rung 81 times, which is the news of the emperor's death.

That night, no one in the palace could sleep. Emperor Qingzong died, and the crown prince was still on his way back to Beijing.

The virtuous king went to the palace overnight to attend the funeral, and was stopped by the sixth prince leading troops outside the Qingwu Gate. According to the palace rules, anyone who entered the palace was not allowed to wear a sword, but the virtuous king not only rode a horse with a saber, but also brought a large team of troops. The tendency to seize the throne was obvious. Confrontation, not giving way.

At the same time, King Ming gathered a group of civil and military ministers to wait outside the Jinluan Hall, waiting for the early court to force the Empress Dowager to establish a new king.

Now that the son-in-law is not around, it is natural that he should establish a leader. This is the rule left by the previous emperor. He has no fear. He doesn't pay attention to any of the princes in Beijing. The only one who is vigilant is Gu Chen.

From the time the news of Emperor Qingzong's serious illness spread to Saibei, it would take more than a month to say the least. Even if the eight hundred miles were rushed, the prince's people could only reach Zhongzhou City at this time, not to mention that he brought a large army and wanted to enter. How could the city be so simple, when he returned to the capital, he, the emperor brother, had already ascended the throne first.

At that time, when Gu Chen's army came to the city and the queen was in their hands, how could he still abandon his mother for the sake of the throne?

If he really has such a vigor, then it doesn't matter if he is given the throne, he wants to see how Gu Chen is scolded by the history books, poked in the back by later generations, and becomes the most unfilial son in the ages.

After receiving the news of the funeral in the palace, Ye Yanbai found it difficult to fall asleep, and sat in the study all night. When it was almost dawn, he rubbed his eyes and called out the door: "Ye San, wait for the truth to take a bath and change clothes." , ready to go up."

Ye San came in with a few servant girls and waited for him to wash. After washing, he waved him away. He whispered the news about the princes in the palace last night, and said, "Only the seventh prince has never heard of it. Tell me what's going on."

Ye Yanbai shook his head and said: "The seventh prince has always been the closest to the queen mother."

Ye San was stunned, but he heard Ye Yanbai say: "Look, this morning, the queen mother will take the 'will' to announce the seventh prince's ascension to the throne." He rubbed his brows, "I really don't want to listen to their verbal battles, my head hurts Very much."

He walked out of the study and saw his eldest son waiting in front of the door, wearing a white mourning dress over his official uniform, and said respectfully, "Father."

Ye Xiang patted the elder son on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Thinking of you and I being officials in the same dynasty, being a father brings a lot of comfort to my heart."

"What do you mean by that?"

Ye Xiangdao: "Today in the courtroom, it is inevitable to hear people quarreling. Thinking of Hui'er, you hate noise more than your father, how can you not comfort me." He smiled lightly, and got into the carriage first.

A faint smile flashed across Ye Chonghui's eyes. His younger brother stuffed him with two balls of cotton wool last night, and he thought it would come in handy this morning.

========

Ye Chongjin couldn't sleep anymore since seeing the fall of the Emperor Star last night. He hugged the big cat for a while feeling panicked, and then secretly rejoiced. , jumped out of the window.

Ye Chongjin stared at its back, raised his hand to close the window angrily, and cursed: "Stupid guy, you are not allowed to come back if you run away."

Qiu Zi was on duty tonight, knocked on the door and asked him what was the matter, he hurriedly said: "It's all right, go to sleep."

He slowly climbed onto the couch, but suddenly he touched a warm and firm body. He was startled. He was about to call someone, but his mouth was covered by someone, and he was dragged to the bed. It was pitch black, and he could only see a pair of deep black eyes flickering with faint light.

The man pressed him on his chest, panting heavily, and rubbed his face with one hand, the calloused palm wandered over his cheeks, the tip of his nose, and his forehead, the soft skin was scratched It was painful, his movements were very hasty, as if he was confirming something, the scorching breath almost scalded him.

Ye Chongjin heard his strong heartbeat, one after another, it was Gu Chen, it was him.

"Ajin, Ajin, Ajin..."

The familiar deep voice, with a strong aggression, has experienced desert wind and sand, experienced icebergs and snowfields, experienced countless fights, and the evil spirit all over his body can no longer be concealed, as if he is one, emanating from the soul.

Ye Chongjin raised his hand, wanting to touch his face, but he held it immediately, and the man put a carved jade bone to his lips, and kissed him preciously, over and over again, as if nothing was enough.

This man was covered with heavy dew, he had just rushed back to the capital, so eager, but he didn't catch up in the end.

He asked sadly: "Do you know, Your Majesty..."

After a long time, he heard a low reply from the man.

"I thought that I could see him for the last time. I thought that he would wait for me for an extra year and wouldn't care about waiting for me for an extra hour, but he didn't."

In this world, there are always more regrets.

Ye Chongjin stretched out his arms, wrapped his arms around the man's tall body with difficulty, and said: "Don't blame yourself, you are already amazing. Breaking through many obstacles and breaking into the capital, no one can do it, only the prince brother can do it." arrive."

A soft light flashed across Gu Chen's eyes, he sat up suddenly, and took the child out of his arms, before he took a closer look at what his Ah Jin looked like now.

As soon as he opened the torch and lit the candlestick, Ye Chongjin suddenly got into the bed and covered his face tightly. Gu Chen hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

"I, I don't look good now..." He felt that he was not as beautiful as in his previous life, so he felt embarrassed and afraid that this person would show a disappointed expression.

Gu Chen was taken aback for a moment, but let out a joyful smile from his chest, and said, "Whether it looks good or not, they are all orphaned child brides-in-law, and orphans will not dislike them."

He was used to being rude at the border. Now facing a delicate 14-year-old boy with such a soft body like a bud, so delicate that it would hurt if he touched it. He didn't dare to touch it, but he couldn't bear to touch it. He didn't know where to start, so he just hugged it carefully.

"Ah Jin, come out and let Gu have a look. When dawn dawns, Gu still has things to do."

Ye Chongjin said anxiously: "You are not allowed to leave, the whole city is now under martial law, if you are discovered by King Ming's people, you will be in danger..."

While he was talking, Gu Chen stretched out his hand to lift off the quilt that was in the way, and the boy hiding under the quilt was exposed without warning, and his eyes met.

Under the dim candlelight, the young man's hair was covered with soft black hair, which fell on the snow-white sheets, and the strands were intertwined. A pair of black and white eyes were shining brightly, biting his bright red lips lightly, like embellished with jade fat. With a touch of red lips, the beauty is shocking.

Gu Chen was fascinated, and leaned over to kiss his snow-white cheek. Ye Chongjin hadn't seen his adult face for a long time, and was a little shocked for a moment, so he foolishly let him kiss him.

Gu Chen held a delicate and beautiful boy in his arms, his breath was a little unsteady, and he choked out a sentence for a long time: "You Ye family, you are really humble."