Whose cub am I pregnant with?

An elderly senior official stepped out, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister. Hongda has been an official in the court for [-] years. He has been conscientious and hardworking. He is frugal and frugal to maintain integrity. Last year, Hongmu's [-]th birthday, I was invited to Hongfu Participating in the banquet. The dignified official of the third rank has a simpler and more modest family than the local sixth rank officials, and the banquets are only a few dozens of tables. After the Hongda people learned that the only son leaked the question, he did not hesitate to take the initiative to send his son Pressed into Dali Temple. However, the three generations of the Hong family are single-handed, and Hongbin is the old son of Hongda. It is an unbearable pain for ordinary people to send a white-haired person to a black-haired person. Now Hongda is old and sick. If he is allowed to witness the beheading of his only son for public display, I am afraid that his grief will be overdone and his condition will aggravate. I also ask the emperor's prime minister to look at the situation of Hongda and decide what to do."

Zhao Qi also felt that this Hongda man was a bit pitiful, "Prime Minister, do you want to stop thinking about it?"

Xiao Shiqing said: "Since Mr. Wu and Mr. Hong have a close relationship, on the day of Hongbin's execution, Mr. Wu will accompany Mr. Hong to watch the execution and chat for comfort, how about it?"

Master Wu's face turned pale.

"If Mr. Wu is not enough, let all the officials above the fifth grade in Beijing who have families and careers go to accompany him." Xiao Shiqing said coldly, "It's just to let them know that there is no way to teach children, and they will end up in vain."

For a while, there was no sound in Taihua Hall, and all the officials dared not breathe.Zhao Qi was also uncomfortable sitting on the dragon chair, he caught He Changzhou's gaze.He Changzhou shook his head invisibly at him, signaling him not to say more.

After a long silence, Xiao Shiqing said: "Other ministers, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhao Qi felt that he was back in class, focusing on listening and learning, and basically did not need to speak.Once he came down early, he saw Xiao Shiqing's decisive and resolute killing with his own eyes.To put it more directly, it is a dictatorship. As long as he decides something, no matter how many people object to it, he will not change his mind.

Zhao Qi silently rolled his eyes.That being the case, Xiao Shiqing would have to give orders directly if he went to court early or discussed state affairs.

At the end of the morning court, Empress Dowager Wen sent someone to invite Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing to Ci'an Palace for dinner.On the way, Xiao Shiqing said: "The emperor has something to say, but it doesn't matter."

Zhao Qi hesitated to speak, and said tactfully: "Have you ever thought that you may not be right about some things." Seeing Xiao Shiqing raised his eyebrows, Zhao Qi hurriedly added the address, "Brother Prime Minister?"

Xiao Shiqing smiled, "The emperor thinks that the minister is too arbitrary?"

Zhao Qi raised his hand and gestured, his index finger and thumb were almost touching together, "That's the point."

"So what's right, what's wrong." Xiao Shiqing said, "The authority of those in power is far more important than right or wrong. Manchu civil and military can fight with each other, you come and go, but those in power must be arbitrary."

Zhao Qi was not convinced, "But as a person in power, shouldn't he follow the good example?"

Xiao Shiqing looked at him, "Who said that?"

"It's said in the history books."

"So, the emperor believes in history books more than his ministers?"

Zhao Qi:? ? ?

This is not nonsense? !You are the author of the original book, a traitor who is both righteous and evil-do you want me to learn it for you?Look at your big face.

Zhao Qi smiled, "Of course I trust the prime minister even more!"

When they arrived at Ci'an Palace, Empress Dowager Wen asked about the situation in the early court today, Zhao Xi said: "I have learned a lot from the prime minister."

Empress Dowager Wen smiled, "That's good. Your Majesty, take your time, there's no need to worry. Shiqing, your Majesty is not familiar with government affairs, so I'll trouble you to spend more time."

Xiao Shiqing nodded, "I should."

"I heard that King Zhaonan has submitted an invitation to ask for an increase in military pay, or is it 30 taels?" Empress Dowager Wen said, "As the only king with a different surname in Dajing, Li Chisu is a big talker."

Xiao Shiqing was noncommittal.

Empress Dowager Wen said in a lively tone, "This Li Chisu is still a romantic figure. The old King Zhaonan brought seven or eight beautiful concubines to the palace before his filial piety, and the imperial censor sued all of them. Here comes the family. It is rumored that after he succeeded to the throne, he had no intention of doing official business, and spent all day in the Qinlou Chu Pavilion. Did he ask for 30 taels of silver as military pay, or to support all the Yingyingyans inside and outside the mansion? Yan?"

Before Xiao Shiqing could speak, Zhao Qi, who had been concentrating on eating, said, "He was just pretending, just to make the imperial court feel at ease with him, and let you dispel the idea of ​​cutting down the feudal clan."

Li Chisu appeared several times in the original work, and Zhao Qi knew him well.The old Zhaonan King and Jing Gaozu were sworn brothers and fought the world together.After the matter was accomplished, Emperor Jing Gaozu even said something like "I share the world with my brother".The old King Zhaonan was terrified, and went to the doctor's office overnight to ask him to remove his armor and leave the capital.Emperor Jing Gaozu tried every means to keep him to no avail, so he named him the King of Zhaonan, and gave him the three southwestern states as fiefdoms, hereditary.

Decades later, the descendants of the Zhao family have long forgotten the flames of war, and the Li family, as the only king with a different surname in Dajing, became a thorn in the heart of the late Emperor and Empress Dowager Wen.Fortunately, the old Zhaonan King has always kept his own place and was loyal to the royal family. The court never mentioned the cutting of the feudal clan when he was alive.Later, when the old King Zhaonan died of illness, Li Chisu inherited the throne, followed his father's wishes, concealed his strengths, kept a low profile, and made the imperial court think that he was addicted to women and could not be a big responsibility, so he relaxed his vigilance against the three southwestern states.

After Zhao Tong rebelled, the imperial court ordered Li Chisu to send troops to suppress the rebels, but Li Chisu refused to resist; Zhao Tong sent counselors to win him over, but he was unmoved.Zhao Tong and the dog emperor fought to the death. The three southwest states were the only places that had not experienced wars. The people's livelihood and military strength had grown unprecedentedly, far surpassing other states.By the time the world was first settled, Zhao Tong had long since had no energy to deal with a King Zhaonan who was sitting on the sidelines and reaping the profits.Only then did Li Chisu calmly accept the olive branch thrown by the new emperor and continue to be his overlord of the southwest.

Empress Dowager Wen was so shocked that she almost lost her chopsticks, "What did the emperor say?"

Now Zhao Qi doesn't care whether his character design collapses or not. Anyway, his character design has already collapsed, and Empress Dowager Wen and others seem to have gradually accepted his changes.And he felt that it was very necessary for him to remind them to be wary of Li Chisu. "What I mean is that the tiger father has no dogs. I don't really believe that the old King Zhaonan would raise a son like Hong Ziming. Didn't the old King Zhaonan have many sons? Li Chisu is still the youngest one. If he It’s really as unbearable as the rumors say, why did the old King Zhaonan pass the throne to him?”

Empress Dowager Wen looked at Xiao Shiqing, Xiao Shiqing seemed much calmer than her, "What the emperor said is not unreasonable, it is too early to judge Li Chisu's behavior."

Empress Dowager Wen regained her composure, and said: "When he enters Beijing, the Ai family will find ways to test him. One more thing, since Hong Ziming has been dismissed, what are your plans for the vacancy of the Minister of Rites?" Pulling back her temples, "Next month will be the Longevity Day, and it is the busiest time for the Ministry of Rites."

Xiao Shiqing understood what Empress Dowager Wen meant, and asked, "Does the Empress Dowager have a suitable candidate?"

Empress Dowager Wen took a sip of tea, and said: "Sun Wenxiao, the head of Duke Wen's house, won the Jinshi in Yuanxing for three years, and has been working as an editor in the Imperial Academy since then. The child Aijia watched him grow up. He has good conduct, both ability and political integrity. Everyone wants to give him a real job. Shiqing, what do you think?"

Wen Guogong's mansion is the mother's house of Empress Dowager Wen, and it is also one of the few dignitaries in Beijing who do not follow the lead of the Xiao family.Empress Dowager Wen intends to promote her own people, Xiao Shiqing has always been aware of it.He glanced at the little emperor who was burying his head in the soup, and said: "The Queen Mother agrees, and I have no objections."

Empress Dowager Wen smiled gratifiedly, "Shiqing, I heard that your mother has been ill recently, and it just so happens that there is a snow lotus from Beiliang that is a tribute to Aijia. You can bring it back to the mansion and give it to your mother."

Xiao Shiqing: "I thank the Queen Mother on behalf of my mother."

Even Zhao Xi could sense the undercurrent between Empress Dowager Wen and Xiao Shiqing.When gods fight, it's better for a little monster like him not to join in the fun.

The Longevity Festival is approaching, and according to the rules and customs of Dajing, the kings who have been in the fiefdom all year round, and the princesses and princesses who married far away have returned to Beijing one after another.Zhao Qi and Empress Dowager Wen were busy meeting the clan and nobles who had returned to Beijing, and the palace became more and more lively every day.But seeing that there was only half a month left before the Longevity Festival, Zhao Qi still didn't see the person he wanted to see.

On this day, Zhao Qi learned the way of governing the country from Xiao Shiqing in the Hall of Qinzheng (to be precise, it was Xiao Shiqing who was reviewing the playbook, and he was in a daze at the side), and asked: "Brother Prime Minister, do you think King Huai will come to Beijing under the imperial edict?" ?”

Xiao Shiqing looked up at him, "Why do you ask this?"

Zhao Xi rested his chin on the table and yawned, "I think he doesn't want to come back. He was humiliated so badly by me before he left Beijing, maybe there is already a shadow."

Xiao Shiqing sneered slightly: "I didn't expect the emperor to remember it. However, he will definitely come back. First, if he doesn't return, he is resisting the decree; second, there are people in Beijing that he wants to see."

Zhao Qi turned his head with difficulty, "Who is it?"

Xiao Shiqing only said: "For whom did he kneel down at the gate of Yonghua Palace, and endured thirty court battles?"

"I will answer this question," Zhao Xi said, "For Rong Tang. So what does Brother Prime Minister mean, he will come back for Rong Tang?"

"Duke Huai and Rong Tang have an extraordinary relationship," Xiao Shiqing smiled, "Don't the Emperor know?"

Zhao Qi saw that Xiao Shiqing's smile had a bit of schadenfreude, so he couldn't help but said, "What about Brother Prime Minister, are you and Duke Huai innocent?"

Xiao Shiqing still smiled, "Huh? Go on."

Zhao Qi didn't flinch, and lowered his eyes and said: "A few years ago, Brother Prime Minister and King Huai were trapped in the palace for a night by accident, didn't they have a good chat. Looking at the snow, watching the stars, watching the moon, talking about poetry, songs and prose to the philosophy of life. Dare you say that you don't appreciate him at all?"

Xiao Shiqing fell silent.Zhao Qi thought his words had angered him, so he raised his head and took a sneak peek, "Brother Prime Minister?"

Xiao Shiqing's face was hard to distinguish between joy and anger, "Why do you know this?"

"I... I saw it with my own eyes." Zhao Xi said, "You just say that this thing happened?"

Xiao Shiqing nodded lightly, "It is true."

Zhao Qisan said: "Oh, some people still have the nerve to say that others are laughing at fifty steps, it's ridiculous."

Xiao Shiqing asked: "You don't seem to like me getting too close to Duke Huai?"

Zhao Xi replied without any hesitation: "Yes." He didn't want Xiao Shiqing to abandon him at the critical moment of life and death like the plot in the original book, and switch to King Huai's camp.

Xiao Shiqing raised the corners of his lips, "Then you can stay in Qinzheng Hall tonight."

Zhao Qi: "???"

"I also talk with you at night by candlelight, watching the moon and stars—are you satisfied?"

"..." I don't need it, thank you!

Zhao Qi thought that Xiao Shiqing was just talking casually, but he didn't expect that he had no intention of leaving at night.Xiao Shiqing didn't leave, so Zhao Qi could only stay with him.The two had dinner together, Xiao Shiqing continued to digest the pile of notes, Zhao Qi yawned from boredom.

Xiao Shiqing asked: "You seem to be very free."

Zhao Qi is very innocent: "I have nothing to do."

Xiao Shiqing threw him a playbook, "Look."

Zhao Qi opened the playbook and began to read it with great difficulty: "The Minister of Liuzhou Governor Shi Zhenyongsi, according to the facts, participated in the play of Liuzhou Governor Dong Zong..."

Xiao Shiqing: "Cong, that word reads 'Cong'."

Zhao Xi insisted: "I know, I just misread."

Xiao Shiqing laughed, "Go on."

"During Dong Cong's tenure, he repeatedly dereliction of duty for personal gain, condoned his subordinates to use power for personal gain, act perversely, and disregarded Dajing's laws and regulations. The minister was so worried that he implored the emperor to issue an order to investigate and punish Dong Cong, so as to rectify the power of the country and the emperor." Zhao Qi did not forget to comment. "Having said so much, what exactly did Dong Cong do, why don't you give a specific example."

Xiao Shiqing asked: "What do you want?"

Zhao Qi thought for a while, and said, "Send someone from the Procuratorate to Liuzhou for a detailed investigation and then report?"

Xiao Shiqing: "Okay, write it down."

"what?"

"Pick up the pen and write down what you just said." Xiao Shiqing said, "You don't need me to teach you how to write."

"But my handwriting is ugly."

"Just show me how ugly it is."

Zhao Qi had no choice but to pick up the pen, and was about to write it down when Xiao Shiqing said again: "The blue batch is not for you—come here, present the imperial pen for the Zhu batch."

The eunuch presented the imperial pen, Zhao Qi held the pen in his hand, and suddenly felt that his hand weighed a thousand catties.He held a pen in one hand, rolled up his sleeve with the other, and seriously wrote down what he just said.

Xiao Shiqing frowned, "Your handwriting...sprinkling a handful of rice on the paper and putting a chicken on it will look better than your writing."

Zhao Qi said cheekily: "Thank you, Brother Prime Minister, for your compliment."

Xiao Shiqing chuckled, and threw him another memorial, "Continue."

The two of them stayed in Qinzheng Hall until the sky was getting darker, Xiao Shiqing let Zhao Qi go back to the bedroom.Zhao Qi felt depressed, Xiao Shiqing and Zhao Tong spent the whole night watching the snow, the stars and the moon, but when they came to him, they spent the whole night reading the playbook.

Xiao Shiqing let Zhao Qi rest for two days, and not long after, he ordered someone to deliver a copybook. "Prime Minister Xiao said, please copy the copybook ten times a day, and hand it over to the Prime Minister in one month."

At that moment, Zhao Qi once again thought of the fear of being dominated by homework, and wanted to cry but had no tears.No... He has worn out all his books, why should he endure this pain!

In the first two days, Zhao Qi could barely complete the task.On the third day, he started to go crazy, bang bang bang bang bang his head on the table.Jiang Dehai was terrified when he saw it, stopped him, and suggested: "Should we find some servants who can write to relieve the emperor's worries?"

Jiang Dehai's words awakened the dreamer. "That's right, let other people imitate my handwriting, anyway, they are all copied, Xiao Shiqing may not be able to see it."

Jiang Dehai: "This slave will find someone right now."

"No need, isn't there a bunch of idlers in the harem?" Zhao Xi said, "Let them write for me!"

Jiang Dehai asked: "Then Mr. Rong wants to write?"

"Write!" Zhao Qi said without hesitation, "They are all my beauties, and I want to treat them equally, regardless of the rain or dew!"

After receiving the task, all the beauties in the harem complained one after another: We enter the palace to be the pets of men and women just to sit back and enjoy the rewards, and get something for nothing!It’s fine if we need to exercise, but now we need to practice calligraphy, what did we do wrong!

After Zhao Qi's verbal order was issued, Rong Tang took the initiative to look for him in Yonghua Palace for the first time.Zhao Qi shocked the whole family and asked, "Are you here for Zhen, or for Jiang Dehai?"

Rong Tang: "..."

Jiang Dehai said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't make fun of the old slave, Mr. Rong must have come to find the Emperor."

Zhao Qi was suspicious: "Really?"

"Ah."

"why?"

Rong Tang frowned lightly, "The emperor's handwriting is unsightly, I don't want to imitate it."

Zhao Xi's ears became red, and others said it's fine, but Rong Tang is a serious explorer, a well-known talent, Zhao Xi still feels a little ashamed when he says that. "I think my handwriting is not bad, but you are too demanding."

"The emperor also studied in the South Study Room when he was young, why did he write such characters?"

Zhao Qi wanted to vomit blood, "It's been too long since I haven't written."

Rong Tang spread out a piece of paper, picked up a pen and dipped it in ink, then handed the pen to Zhao Qi, "Please write a word, Your Majesty."

Zhao Xi scratched his head with the tip of the pen, and after writing a little bit, he heard Rong Tang say: "The posture of holding the pen is wrong." His cool hand held Zhao Xi's right hand, "It should be like this."

Zhao Qi smelled the faint scent of medicine again.Rong Tang stood behind him, with his chest pressed against his back, he could even feel the beating of the other's heart.

"What does the emperor want to write?" Rong Tang asked behind his ear.

"Rong," Zhao Xi said, "Rong Tang's Rong."

Rong Tang paused for a moment, then squeezed his hand tightly, and wrote his surname smoothly on the paper.After finishing the last line, Rong Tang let go of his hand and asked, "Is the emperor meeting?"

"Uh...it seems to be a bit of a feeling. Do it again?"

A young eunuch came in and whispered a few words in Jiang Dehai's ear. Jiang Dehai immediately smiled, and stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, the person you have been looking forward to for a long time has just arrived in the capital, and he will definitely enter the palace to ask to see you."

"The person I've been looking forward to for a long time," Zhao Xi said, "You mean, Duke Huai?"

Rong Tang stood up straight without any trace.