admiration

Zhu Qiming has known this since he could remember. To Concubine Jing, he is just a pawn that can be used at will.

Seeing him approaching, the maid at the door shouted into the hall: "Your Majesty, the First Prince has come down."

"Let him in." The voices of the people in the room were clear and cold, not at all warm as usual. The palace people looked sideways and sighed in their hearts.Zhu Qiming stood at the door, took a deep breath, and then followed the palace servants in.

There was only one person in the hall, that person was dressed in luxurious brocade clothes, with exquisite eyebrows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, without any trace of age, he was looking coldly at the person standing outside the door, holding a whip that was usually used to punish palace officials.

Zhu Qiming was silent in his heart, walked over under her relentless gaze, bowed down and saluted, "I will see the imperial concubine and empress."

Concubine Jing ignored it, and waved her hand to let the palace guards leave. She took the whip and walked down the steps step by step, staring directly at the eldest prince.

After a long time, she said, "Have you met Master Wei Ling?"

Zhu Qiming's heart trembled, and he stared at Concubine Jing's skirt with a complicated expression.Wei Ling's visit to the mansion has been suppressed by him. It is impossible for outsiders to know about it, but Concubine Jing, who lives deep in the harem, knows it well. Obviously, she has planted eyeliner in his mansion to keep an eye on him at all times. Words and deeds.

He nodded and said: "Yes, Master Wei Ling is Mo Yanchi."

"Have you found out his identity?" Concubine Jing walked slowly beside him, but she didn't intend to let him get up, the whip in her hand was shaking, like a long sword, resting on Zhu Qiming's forehead It made him break out in a cold sweat.

The eldest prince kept his kneeling posture, not daring to make any moves, and replied honestly: "No. The whereabouts of the lord Wei Ling are uncertain, and it is difficult to find out."

"Trash, it's really not enough to succeed but more to fail." Concubine Jing said angrily, raised her hand and whipped Zhu Qiming hard on the back, tearing his clothes instantly.

Zhu Qiming gritted his teeth to resist the burning sensation on his back, and dared not speak out to beg for mercy.

Concubine Jing said: "Usually I tell you to look less at unrealistic ways of governing the country, and get rid of Mo Yanchi first, but you just don't listen, but now it's good, leaving such a big hidden danger."

"In the past three years, I have been looking for opportunities all the time, but my father is protecting me secretly, so I really can't do anything," Zhu Qiming said.Mo Yan came to the capital for three years late, and Zhu Qiming plotted against him for three years, but every time he was stopped by Emperor Hongzhi, and he was severely warned afterwards, this matter was delayed again and again, and it was three years .

"So you just do things that don't get on the table?" Concubine Jing sneered.

Zhu Qiming was speechless, and could only say nonchalantly: "Then... Mother Concubine, what should we do now?"

Concubine Jing sneered: "What should I do? Naturally, get rid of Mo Yanchi and take General Wei Ling as her own."

General Wei Ling, just these three words are enough to make people crazy.

It's just that Zhu Qiming also knew that Mo Yichi couldn't do anything in three years, and now that he had General Wei Ling, it was like having an extra life-saving talisman.

Concubine Jing didn't mention him a thing or two, leaving him to kneel on the spot to think, and only after a while did she speak again: "How many of your people are in the court today?"

"The Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and several people from the Ministry of Rites." Zhu Qiming said.

"Where's the Ministry of War?"

"No." Zhu Qiming said angrily: "Father pays special attention to the people in the Ministry of War, and my son really can't get in the manpower."

"You are said to be a waste, but you are really a waste. Recently, the position of Minister of the Ministry of War has been vacant. His Majesty said that after the palace examination, he will select talents from candidates to fill it. You should observe carefully and try your best to include all high school students in this palace examination. ’” Concubine Jing said.

Zhu Qiming nodded, and continued to listen to her: "If it can't be used by me, get rid of it as it should, and don't leave any trouble behind."

"Yes." Zhu Qiming listened humbly.

Concubine Jing saw that he was respectful and showed no dissatisfaction on his face, so her mood improved slightly, and she called the palace servants to bring him tea, and gave him a seat along the way.

Zhu Qiming thanked him, and got up and sat down with the help of the palace servants.

Concubine Jing took a sip of hot tea, and said: "You are a concubine, don't be tired of being a concubine, in terms of status, you can't compare with him, the prince has always established a successor, you don't have an advantage at all, and now Mo Yan Chi got the general of Wei Ling first, if he can't get the power of the Ministry of War, he will die in the future."

Zhu Qiming hesitated to speak, his lowered eyes looked at Concubine Jing.

It has been 15 years since the former empress passed away, and Concubine Jing is still only a noble concubine. Emperor Hongzhi missed the former empress and refused to establish a successor. This is one reason.Before Mo Yan was not found back, it didn't matter whether he became a queen or not, but now that he is back in the palace, if he doesn't become a queen, he will always be inferior to Mo Yanlai.

Zhu Qiming's eyes were obscure, Concubine Jing glanced at her, and said: "I know what you're thinking, the back seat is really important to us, but once you take the back seat, the Nie family will be suppressed, it's not for you." Good thing."

Concubine Jing's mother's family name is Nie. More than ten years ago, she followed the unenthroned Emperor Hongzhi to fight everywhere, pacified the Quartet, and made great contributions.

The so-called high meritorious service, the Nie family was worried that Emperor Hongzhi would be jealous, so they reluctantly parted with Concubine Jing and sent her to the palace. The reputation was that many people served Emperor Hongzhi, but in fact they just took her as a hostage.Concubine Jing has served by Emperor Hongzhi's side for more than ten years, keeping herself safe, never competing for favors or interfering in government affairs, and thus keeping the Nie family stable and peaceful.

One is a real right, and the other is a rightful and legitimate position, and it is really impossible to have both.Concubine Jing had said this a long time ago, and Zhu Qiming didn't have to worry about it. The Nie family would serve as the backing, dormant in the court, and become Zhu Qiming's help.

Zhu Qiming said: "Then why don't we go to our grandfather first and see if there is any countermeasure there?"

Concubine Jing frowned, objecting without saying a word: "No."

"Why not?" Zhu Qiming was stunned and asked.

"My father has a lot of soldiers in his hands. Do you really think that His Majesty will be completely at ease and not let people stare at you? This time coincides with the palace examination, and His Majesty will guard against all officials forming a clique for personal gain and contacting rashly. If someone exposes you, you may die land."

She was right, but Zhu Qiming didn't take it seriously, and said: "I will be more careful, and my grandfather is the father of my mother and concubine, so it is reasonable for my son to walk around occasionally..."

"Shut up!" Concubine Jing interrupted Zhu Qiming, looked at him deeply, and said, "If I say no, I won't do it."

Zhu Qiming lowered his head, pursed his lips tightly, and looked up at Concubine Jing after a long time. Seeing anger and disgust in those deep and dark eyes, he immediately panicked, and hurriedly responded: "Yes."

Concubine Jing said: "Now the Nie family is not in a hurry, when you get rid of Mo Yanchi, this force will definitely help you to ascend to the throne."

Zhu Qiming nodded, absent-mindedly said: "Yes."

Concubine Jing spoke a few more words with Zhu Qiming, and seeing that Emperor Hongzhi was about to get up for lunch break, she waved her hand to let him leave.The maid who went out to see them off was silent all the way, and when she came to the palace gate, she reminded again: "Your Highness, just now the empress said, don't go to the Nie family, so as not to cause trouble."

"This king knows." Zhu Qiming said.

He left in a hurry this morning, and he didn't bring a servant with him, which was unintentional.Zhu Qiming made up his mind, and after leaving the palace, he did not go back to the First Prince's Mansion, but disguised himself and went to Nie's house.

Xiao Zhijin put down the folding fan in his hand and said, "Really?"

Xing Yan nodded: "And he didn't go in directly, but stayed outside and waited for General Dingyuan to come back. He didn't show his face during the period, as if he was afraid of being recognized by someone."

"That's strange. You sent someone to investigate what happened in the past few days, especially the matter between the Nie family and Zhu Qiming." Xiao Zhizhi said.

"Yes." Xing Yan said.

After speaking, he got up to leave.Xiao Zhijin stopped him again, and asked: "How is the manpower arrangement of the palace?"

"There are several people in each palace, but..." Xing Yan was a little embarrassed, "Concubine Jing's palace is solid, our people can't get in and out, and we were almost noticed yesterday."

Xiao Zhijin frowned, and immediately said: "It's nothing, this woman is not a kind person, you tell your subordinates to be careful and act carefully."

"Already ordered to go down." Xing Yan said.

Undercurrents are surging in the Forbidden City, but the palace is peaceful and quiet. Emperor Hongzhi is discussing the regulations for tomorrow's Luming Banquet with the Minister of Rites.

For three years, Emperor Hongzhi had protected Mo Yichi both openly and secretly, because he was afraid that he would be too conspicuous in protecting him and would cause people to hate him, so he was not allowed to go to court on the grounds that he had been away for many years. At the same time, he never changed his surname. Let his surname be "Mo".Mo Yanchi once heard Emperor Hongzhi say that the former empress was surnamed Mo, and not changing her surname was out of his thoughts for her.

The emperor's heart is hard to fathom, and Mo Yan is not allowed to go to court late, but he often summons him in private, and occasionally rewards one or two antiques.Others see it as Emperor Hongzhi's compensation to Mo Yichi for the past 15 years.

When Minister of Rites heard that it was the second prince, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes, waiting for Emperor Hongzhi to drive him away.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Hongzhi, who was originally calm, showed a smile, and waved his hand to let Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites handle the matter of the Luming Banquet by himself, and let the palace servants invite Mo Yichi in.

Minister of the Ministry of Rites was startled, he didn't dare to say anything, he obeyed the order to leave, and when he got to the door, he took another look at Mo Yanchi, and found that he seemed to have changed a lot compared to three years ago.

Three years ago, he was also in charge of the regulations for the second prince's return to the palace. At that time, during the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, Mo Yichi, who was only fifteen years old, had eyes full of fear. He stood alone on the altar to worship the ancestors, and finally stepped down. , because of excessive panic, he accidentally fell down, causing Emperor Hongzhi to lose face.

The timid young man who didn't want to be back then has grown up, he behaves properly, is heroic, and looks like the long-gone queen.

The Minister of Rites hastily resigned, not daring to stay longer.

Mo Yanchi ignored the Minister of Rites, he entered the imperial study room, saluted Emperor Hongzhi, and after Emperor Hongzhi granted him a seat, Fang said: "Father, did the Minister of Rites come to explain the matter of the Lu Ming Banquet? "

"Yes." Emperor Hongzhi said, "Why, want to participate?"

Emperor Hongzhi just asked casually, you know, Mo Yanchi has always disliked these banquets, except for the New Year's Eve family banquet that cannot be rejected, he never showed his face a few times throughout the year.

Mo Yanchi scratched his head and said shyly: "I have nothing to do these days, I want to go and have a look."

Emperor Hongzhi was approving the memorial. Hearing what he said, he raised his head and looked at him in surprise. Seeing that there was nothing unusual about him, he didn't refuse him. Come from Xiangtai, see you tomorrow and catch up with them.”

The number one scholar's name is Xiao Zhijin, he comes from Wangxiangtai, he won the number one scholar before reaching the weaker crown, he is a rare talent.This news has already spread throughout the entire capital, and Mo Yanchi should have heard about it even if it is closed again.

After hearing what Ye Min said, he guessed that the number one scholar would be Xiao Zhijin, so he entered the palace and proposed to participate in the Luming Banquet, and Emperor Hongzhi wanted him to show more performance in front of the world.

When Emperor Hongzhi said this, Mo Yanchi did not refuse, and nodded in agreement.He thanked him with a smile, but Emperor Hongzhi was quite surprised, this was the first time in so many years that he saw him so happy, and the only doubts in his heart were dispelled by his smile.

No matter, he is her child, no matter what, Emperor Hongzhi will always protect him.

The conversation between the two in the imperial study room quickly reached Concubine Jing's ears. Concubine Jing's face was dull, making people keep watching.

First General Wei Ling, then Luming Banquet, Mo Yichi's move is obvious - he is going to start fighting for reserves.

Concubine Jing was thinking like this, but she didn't know that Mo Yanchi was really helpless, he didn't care about it, but was pushed forward step by step.

The days of Zhu Qiming covering the sky with one hand are about to pass, and the balance that has been skewed for many years will gradually balance in the days to come. No one can predict the future trend of the court.

Concubine Jing returned to the palace, wrote a letter, and handed it to the secret guard.It was obviously not the first time that the hidden guard had delivered a letter to her, and he jumped out of the palace without any hesitation after getting the letter.