Funing Hall

The day before the Dragon Boat Festival, Zhao Shiqi went to Jinmingchi together with Taichang Siqing. Taichang Siqing was afraid of making mistakes, so he watched everything carefully.Zhao Shiqi walked with him for a while, then went around to the Fifth Hall to have a look. Like the other buildings in Jinming Pool, the house was built on the water, but it was too square and not graceful enough.

Zhao Shiqi shook his head secretly, turned around and continued to search, and finally he found a room in the middle and rear of Jinming Pool.

The house is naturally built on the water, surrounded by water, and the water surface here is full of lotus leaves, which spread layer by layer and have not bloomed yet.

Half of the house is open to the air, and the other half is hidden in lotus leaves and bamboo, which is chic and elegant.It's just that the haze that Zhao Cong loves is missing.Zhao Shiqi put his hands behind his back, squinted his eyes, and had a plan in mind, so he turned around and ordered people to act according to his instructions.

Before returning to the palace, he did not forget to tell Yan Mo to keep an eye on Zhao Congde himself.

Zhao Congde is very timid, he is afraid that Zhao Congde will regret it tomorrow, so he dare not come to Jinmingchi.If Zhao Congde doesn't come, how can this play be played?

Yin Mo waved the small porcelain bottle in his hand, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't worry!"

Just as Zhao Shiqi thought, Zhao Congde did want to run away again, even though he had already planned that Aunt Wang was the queen mother's personal servant, and then poisoned the queen mother, pushed her into the water, and made a look of committing suicide. Believe it, it has nothing to do with him.

He was still a little scared.

If Zhao Cong finds out about other things he did, what should he do?

What if Aunt Wang misses it?What is Zhao Cong going to do with him?Shouldn't Jin Mingchi order him to be executed on the spot?Every idea popped into his mind.

He has been a little suspicious these days, especially when he sent the second manager out to inquire. Many people outside said that Zhao Cong's gossip was released by him!He was terrified!

On the day of Dragon Boat Festival, his eldest son, Zhao Shiyuan, specially came to his room to invite him.

He still pretended to be sick, lying on the bed, unwilling to move.

Zhao Shiyuan was a little helpless, he could tell that his father was pretending to be sick.It's fine to pretend to be sick normally, but how can you pretend to be sick at this time?Your Majesty is watching the water battle in Jinming Lake today. The people are all there, and their clansmen have to show their faces. After all, his father is the son of Prince Wei. If he doesn't go, what will others say?

Zhao Shiyuan said all the good things, but Zhao Congde ignored him.

Zhao Shiyuan said bitterly: "Father, Daddy has already gone to Jinmingchi. Before he left, he told me that I would take my father with him. If I don't go, Daddy will ask the family law to beat me fifty times. Then I will pay you back." How to get to the yamen? At this juncture, if I don’t go to the yamen, what will people say about me? This errand is not easy for me.” Zhao Shiyuan has a honest and honest personality, and these words are very touching.

Zhao Congde was at war with heaven and man, but after all he still felt sorry for his son-in-law, got up from the bed, and sat in the carriage with a determined face.

Only then did Zhao Shiyuan heave a sigh of relief, and got on his horse.

Shizi Concubine Jiang Shi sat in another carriage, closed her eyes, opened them again after a while, and said to her envoy: "I don't know why, I'm so flustered."

"I'm afraid it's hot today, and the car is a bit stuffy?"

"Maybe..." Jiang frowned.

When they were about to arrive at Jinming Lake, some of them came back to inquire about the news and said that other clan disciples had already arrived, and Zhao Shiyuan was a little anxious.With Zhao Shiqi's current status, their family can't hold him back, and they have to be more careful.He turned around and glanced at Zhao Congde's carriage, his younger brother said: "Brother, let's go in first, I just sent someone to ask, the brothers and sisters of Prince Hui's family have come early."

"Father--"

"Father and mother go together. We can't be worse than other people's houses. If we don't go in, we will be the last!"

Zhao Shiyuan frowned, and hurried in with his younger brothers.

After the carriage stopped, Mrs. Jiang also helped the envoy's men to get off the carriage. Looking back, Zhao Congde hadn't come down yet.She sent someone to ask, and she replied: "The prince said that there are many people here, and he is a little bored."

Jiang Shi regarded him as a real illness, after all, after returning from Luoyang, he never entered the concubine's yard again, which was even more difficult to see than rain on a sunny day.It is indeed a bit boring today, and she was also feeling bored just now.She originally wanted to get into the carriage and wait for him to come slowly, but a sister-in-law came to greet her, and they walked into Jinming Pond together holding her hand.

The second butler got into the carriage and asked worriedly, "My lord, where are you?"

Zhao Congde's face was really pale, he said in a deep voice: "No, I don't think today is a good day, I'd better go back home!"

"My lord, you have to go for such a big event today." The second butler persuaded.

"Come back quickly!!" Zhao Congde urged repeatedly, "Pack up your things when you go home, let's go live in Songzhou Zhuangzi for a while!" The closer he was to Jinming Lake, the more panicked he was, he felt that Zhao Congding knew everything , I will kill him today!He can't throw himself into a trap!He wanted to sneak away before no one noticed.He doesn't care about others, his life is the most important thing.

The second butler was the most loyal, seeing that he was in such a panic, he had no choice but to drive the carriage back.Zhao Congde urged him from time to time, but the second steward took a shortcut.Today's Dragon Boat Festival, people, those who can enter the Jinming Pond have gone, and those who cannot enter are surrounded. Many wide alleys are very quiet, and they can walk easily.

Seeing that the front was about to turn a corner, suddenly a masked man jumped from the top of the wall.

The second butler tightened the reins in panic, and the carriage barely stopped. Before he could sit still, someone raised his hand and slashed at the back of his head, and the second butler fell on his head.

"Who!" Zhao Congde was as frightened as a bird, but he didn't dare to open the curtain.

Yan Mo raised the corners of his mouth and smiled, jumped into the carriage lightly, opened the curtain, met Zhao Congde's panicked eyes, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and Zhao Congde passed out when he rolled his eyes.

Yan Mo snapped his fingers, and a middle-aged man walked out from the side, his appearance was somewhat similar to that of the second housekeeper, he quickly took off the clothes on the second housekeeper's body and changed them.

Yin Mo smiled and said: "Go quickly, send him to Ximen, someone is waiting for you."

"Yes!" The brand new "Second Butler" threw off his whip, and the carriage quickly left for Jin Mingchi.

Zhao Cong arrived at Jinmingchi at an auspicious time.

Many people surrounded him, and when they saw his chariot, they all knelt down and shouted "Long live". Zhao Shiqi rode beside his chariot, and his face was full of smiles.

When they got to Baojin Tower, Zhao Cong helped Rantao's men get off the car, took a look at everyone, and took his concubines and officials to Baojin Tower together.Behind him, Qian Yuemo was there, and Empress Dowager Sun was also there.After all, it's an important matter. If Queen Mother Sun is still awake, that's all. Once she wakes up, she will definitely come.

Moreover, she knew that the matter between her father and brother could not be resolved, but she still wanted to seek some kindness from Zhao Cong. Zhao Cong did not see her in the palace, so she had to come here.Everyone went up to Baojin Building, and she also supported Aunt Wang's hand. Halfway there, she asked softly, "Is it because I'm weak, or is your hand shaking?"

Aunt Wang's hands were shaking badly.

Would she not be afraid to kill someone in front of so many people, success or failure?She is also very scared!But success also seeks from danger, and she can only do so.Empress Dowager Sun believed in Aunt Wang the most, even when Qing Ming took the blame for Aunt Wang, she also thought that Aunt Wang went to kill Zhao Cong because of her.

There is only one person that Empress Dowager Sun has never doubted, and that is Aunt Wang, who grew up with her and grew old.

She also said softly: "It is said that he will stay in Jinming Lake for a few days, after watching the water battle later, I will definitely talk to him, and then plead for the family."

She said it lonely, Aunt Wang lowered her head and answered, her eyes were full of panic, but there was also a gleam of light.

After Zhao Cong boarded the Baojin Tower, he walked to the open air and looked down, feeling refreshed and happy.

Jinming Pond used to be the place where sailors were trained. After the first emperor ascended the throne, due to fewer wars, he changed this place into a royal garden, so almost all the houses were built on the water.There are many lotus leaves on the surface of the water, only the area in front of Baojin Building has fewer lotus leaves, which is just for competition.

But looking far away, the eyes are full of green lotus leaves.It is not yet the flowering period, and it is rare to see a few flower buds. Even so, the light summer breeze and the tender green have brought a refreshing mood.

Zhao Cong narrowed his eyes, deeply enjoying it.

And the official start of the competition always has to wait for an auspicious time.

Zhao Cong said some festive words to the people upstairs first, and the boatmen waiting for the competition on the water shouted slogans, the sound could be heard for several miles, and the people around them applauded and cheered.

Before the competition, the atmosphere is already like this, Zhao Cong is also very happy.

If His Majesty is happy, all the people accompanying him are happy, and if they are not happy, they have to act happy.

Aunt Wang is trying to poison the Queen Mother.

Zhao Congde gave her hallucinogenic toadstools, but she thought of five years ago.If this time, someone also rescued Queen Mother Sun, wouldn't all previous efforts be wasted?Aunt Wang was very poisonous when she became poisoned. She had already made a plan, and simply followed Zhao Congde's original plan to poison Queen Mother Sun directly.

Poison the Empress Dowager Sun.

There is poison on her body, as long as she takes it, she will definitely die within a quarter of an hour.As long as she is poisoned, she can escape if she can, and if she can't escape, she will refuse to admit it!Your Majesty hates Queen Mother Sun very much, and he will not seek justice for Queen Mother Sun.If it is really bad luck, she will also be executed, which is not a loss!

Anyway, the Queen Mother was attracted!

She only wants Queen Mother Sun to die at this time.

In the morning, she had added some sleeping pills to the Empress Dowager Sun's meal, which would make her sleepy again.She lowered her head and waited, and sure enough, it didn't take a while, before the auspicious time came, Empress Dowager Sun became sleepy.

Empress Dowager Sun herself was also a little puzzled.

Only Empress Dowager Sun has been lingering on the bed lately, not thinking about other places at all.

Qian Yuemo noticed that she closed her eyes from time to time, and asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"

Empress Dowager Sun barely opened her eyes, she was already very sleepy, so she didn't force her eyes, but responded: "Yes."

Zhao Cong heard their conversation and looked at the two of them.

Qian Yuemo knew that His Majesty didn't like her, so she said to Aunt Wang: "Take your mother to rest later."

"My lady, this—" Aunt Wang pretended to be reluctant.

Qian Yuemo frowned slightly: "Go."

Only then did Aunt Wang stand up and help Empress Dowager Sun to leave.Empress Dowager Sun wanted to stay, but she was so exhausted that she was about to collapse, so she had to go with Aunt Wang.

Zhao Shiqi, who was standing beside Zhao Cong, took a look at Ji Xiang.

Jixiang lowered his head, and when everyone looked outside the building again, he quietly retreated out.

Aunt Wang supported the Empress Dowager Sun, followed by several maids from the Palace of Baoci.Aunt Wang originally planned to get rid of these maids and go to a far-reaching house, but the auspicious eunuch from Funing Hall also followed, and said with a smile: "Gu Gu, why don't you send your mother to the Fifth Hall to rest? It's cool, when we compete later, the boats will pass by there, and the empress will take a break to watch the water battle."

Aunt Wang just wanted to find a place where no one was around to kill, but she didn't dare to refute auspicious words. Once she refuted, she would make people suspicious.

As soon as she gritted her teeth, she would definitely poison Queen Mother Sun to death today, at worst she would die with Queen Mother Sun!

She bowed her head to support Queen Mother Sun, and walked to the fifth hall with auspiciousness.

Jixiang was very appropriate, seeing Aunt Wang put the Queen Mother in place, saluted and left.

Aunt Wang turned her back to the ladies in the palace and said coldly: "Stay away, don't disturb your empress' rest."

The court ladies rolled their eyes secretly, what a state they are in, and they still take themselves seriously.They responded, and turned their heads to see the excitement outside, it was rare for them to come out of the palace, they wished for it.

As soon as they left, Aunt Wang touched the porcelain vase at her waist with trembling hands.

Ji Xiang stood in the bamboo forest next to the fifth hall, and after a while, the maid of honor from the Baoci Hall came and said with a smile: "Mr. Ji Xiang, Your Majesty is taking a break. I trouble you to tell His Majesty and Concubine Shu to know."

"Success." Jixiang also smiled, and looked up at her.

The eldest palace maid quickly whispered: "The servant girl changed all the medicines yesterday."

Ji Xiang smiled even more, and said openly: "Young one, go and answer your majesty and lady, you stay outside with your lady."

The grand maid gave a blessing with a smile.

Baojin Tower is bustling with activity at this time.

When the auspicious time was approaching, suddenly a guard downstairs shouted loudly: "Your Majesty! Lord Jiang Qianjiang please see me!"

Jiang Qian is just a petty official, so he is not qualified to climb Baojin Tower with His Majesty.But he is a descendant of the Jiang family, and he was the one who wrote the imperial edict for His Majesty at the critical moment. Now he is very popular and everyone recognizes him.Hearing that Mr. Jiang came here suddenly, they all fell silent.

Zhao Cong was taken aback, did Jiang Qian send Xiangrui here?

Choose to send at this time?

It's really great, when there are the most people and the busiest time, I will send you auspiciousness.

Zhao Cong smiled, why didn't he meet the Jiang family earlier, they are so knowledgeable, and they are still clean.

He motioned to Fu Lu, who took a step forward and asked loudly, "Master Jiang came here suddenly, why?"

The guard said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Jiang said that he has something important to report!"

Zhao Cong nodded to Fu Lu again, and Fu Lu said, "Your Majesty, although this is rude, Mr. Jiang is the most appropriate person. Even if he is rude, he still has to come here. I'm afraid there is something urgent. Mr. Xuan Jiang comes in! "

"Yes—" the guard turned around to report.

The smile on Zhao Cong's face never faded.

Seeing this, Zhao Shiqi felt unhappy.

Jiang Qian's looks were a bit impressive, instead of being Zhao Zongning's son-in-law, he came to court Zhao Cong, and he raised his eyebrows secretly.

And Jiang Qian came in with others, he was wearing a silver-white gown with white jade on his waist, elegant and elegant.Downstairs, there is a curved water bridge on the water very close, the water bridge is slightly arched, Jiang Qian walked directly onto the wooden bridge and stood at the highest center.After he stood still, he lifted the hem of his clothes, knelt down and raised his head to look into the distance, Zhao Cong from Baojin Tower said: "Your Majesty! I have something important to report!"

On behalf of Zhao Cong, Fu Lu said loudly: "Master Jiang, please speak!"

Jiang Qian said happily: "Your Majesty! I was able to take a rest during the Dragon Boat Festival. When I returned to my home in Luoyang, I found a strange thing!"

Zhao Cong was secretly excited, here he is, he really wants to know what kind of auspicious Jiang Qian will make up for him.

"I'm in the outskirts of Luoyang, and there is a garden named 'Jinyuan'. Five miles away from the garden, there is my Zhuangzi! Yesterday, a farmer reported that in Zhuangzi, there was a row of rice in the Zhuangzi that was growing ears at this time. The ones born are all double spikes!"

The people stared in amazement, this is Jiahe!It's not just one or two plants, it's a whole ridge of land!

"I didn't believe it at the beginning, so I went to see it myself. Unexpectedly, it is so!" Jiang Qian said very excitedly, and then said again, "The field is full of double-eared Jiahe! I moved a few plants and brought them , want to serve His Majesty!"

Zhao Cong was amazed.

Jiang Qian is very powerful, he doesn't play fake things, he doesn't play those unicorns and dragons, they are too popular and vulgar, and they are just talking good things when they hear them.They went straight to the people-friendly route and found "Jiahe"!

Unexpectedly, this is not over yet, Jiang Qian became more and more excited: "I asked carefully, the Zhuangzi in my house was actually built in August of the third year of Xiangyou!"

Zhao Cong wanted to applaud Jiang Qian, who was born in August of the third year of Xiangyou.

"A few days ago, His Majesty came to the minister's house in person, but unexpectedly he was rewarded with such a blessing!" Jiang Qian kowtowed excitedly, his voice seemed to be crying because of being moved, and said, "A few years ago, there were quarrels between Beijing and the surrounding areas. The locust plague, Zhuangzi in my family was not immune. At the beginning of this year, there were many snowfalls one after another, and I felt that this was a good omen. I didn’t understand what a good omen was until I saw those Jiahe with my own eyes! Your Majesty! 'Jiahe' is a gift from the heavens, a gift from the heavens to the ministers because of your majesty! It is a good omen given to us by your majesty!"

Jiang Qian spoke excitedly, raised his head and cupped his hands towards Zhao Cong: "Your Majesty! Only in a prosperous and peaceful world can we receive the grace of heaven, and heaven will send Jiahe!"

Zhao Cong just wanted to continue to applaud him.After all, it is a cultured family, and everything is included in a few simple words.People said he was violent and cold, but it was because of Sun's family affairs.It was in Jinyuan that the Sun family had an accident. Jiang Qian directly said that Jinyuan Zhuangzi was born in Jiahe, and that Zhuangzi was built in the year he was born.It not only shows that Zhao Cong is a man destined by heaven, but also that Jinyuan is also a land of blessings.

Your Majesty, who else dares to question?

It's wonderful.

While praising him, he didn't forget his family.

Jiang Qian raised his hands high and said loudly: "Golden harvest from heaven! The world is peaceful! It's all thanks to His Majesty's grace! Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!"

The people were so excited by what he said, they knelt down together and shouted "Long live".

The officials and concubines upstairs couldn't lag behind, and immediately knelt down and shouted "Long Live", including Zhao Shiqi.

Zhao Cong didn't tell Zhao Shiqi about looking for Xiangrui.After all, it was not something worth talking about. When he was alone with Zhao Shiqi these days, he was mostly tired of talking about political affairs, and he himself forgot.

Zhao Shiqi was also a former emperor. In fact, the superiors never really trusted this thing, but they often used it.But right now, on such a day, offering such auspiciousness is really a great thing, Jiang Qian is smart and caring after all.He was also really happy, and he knelt down firmly.

Zhao Cong looked at the kneeling people in front of him and behind him, and wanted to cover his face.

He really admired Jiang Qian very much. This was too provocative, and his emotions, words and body were all just right.Most people in this day and age believe this.It is said that Gu Ci relied on this trick to deceive Yeluqin's trust. He deeply felt that Jiang Qian and Gu Ci should have something to talk about.

From this point of view, it is really not an exaggeration to give the Jiang family this duke.