Wen Xiangyanyu

The fire on the Shangyuan Festival lasted until the evening of the second day before it was completely extinguished.

Although only a few soldiers who put out the fire were burned, the city tower was almost completely destroyed, and the 20-foot-high lamp wheel crashed to the ground, leaving the ground in a mess.

This lantern wheel has stood at the gate of the west city since the founding of the Dacheng Dynasty. It is lit every year during festivals. After more than 100 years, the common people believe that the brighter the lantern is, the better the national fortune will be in this year. Now that he was burned by a sky fire, many rumors and gossips inevitably arose in the streets and alleys for a while.

Three days after the incident, an imperial decree was issued from the other palace, not only the gatekeeper of the west city gate was dismissed, but also a group of people in the Jingwei Army were implicated and transferred. When they went to the place, the deputy commander of the Jingwei Army was temporarily replaced by the deputy commander who had specially ordered someone to set up a roadblock beside the lamp wheel.

Afterwards, the Ministry of Criminal Justice also reported the investigation results of Shen Xingyao's case to the East Palace. Because it had been a long time, no clues or evidence could be found. No matter how dissatisfied and dissatisfied in Duke Wei's mansion and other mansions, the case of Cai murdering and throwing away the corpse was settled, but the Crown Prince of the East Palace agreed to this conclusion, and the matter came to an end.

In mid-February, Wen Ying went to the other palace again, and this time Ling Qiyan went with him.

Wen Ying went into the emperor's bedroom to say hello, Ling Qiyan was waiting in the garden outside, but met an unexpected person.

It was Yu Zhaoyuan, who had just come out of the emperor's bedroom, saw him from a distance, and came over to talk to him.

Yu Zhaoyuan was sent to the palace by Ling Qiyan's plan back then, and also helped him once or twice in the palace, other than that, the two of them had little contact in private.

"Uncle, long time no see."

Yu Zhaoyuan is graceful, with such an appearance, she is no different from the beautiful girl who leaned softly on him and said "I like Your Highness" and "I am willing to serve Your Highness".

Ling Qiyan nodded lightly: "Does Lady Zhaoyuan come to attend to His Majesty every day? Thank you for your hard work."

Yu Zhaoyuan slightly raised the corners of her lips: "It's not hard work, it's nothing compared to Concubine Shu's sister."

"I heard from the prince that you have done no less than her."

"It's all due, and I dare not take credit for it."

After saying a few words casually, Ling Qiyan didn't say any more, inexplicably feeling that whether his cheap mother or Yu Zhaoyuan in front of him gave him an indescribably weird feeling, but he didn't bother to delve into it.

But Yu Zhaoyuan asked him: "When I came out just now, I met His Highness the Crown Prince going in to say hello to His Majesty, did Uncle come here with His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"En." Ling Qiyan responded casually.

The other party smiled: "That's no wonder. Back then when the uncle was drunk in the Huitong Hall, it was the crown prince who came down to take the uncle away. At that time, the crown prince was just a guest in the uncle's house. After so many years In the past, I never thought that Uncle and His Royal Highness are still so good."

Ling Qiyan frowned slightly, before he could say anything, she said again: "I'm a bit talkative, don't blame uncle."

"Actually, I really liked my uncle back then. If I wasn't so greedy, I would have followed my uncle. Even if I had been my uncle's maid for the rest of my life, it would be nice."

"Ms. Zhaoyuan be careful." Ling Qiyan reminded her in a deep voice.

Yu Zhaoyuan smiled again: "I was joking with Uncle, how could I have such a blessing, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not agree."

She said no more, blessed her body, and left.

Ling Qiyan turned his eyes, this Yu Zhaoyuan is now one of the emperor's nine concubines, he is just a Liu Bo, really speaking, how could he accept her gift again.

Footsteps sounded behind him, Ling Qiyan turned around, and it was indeed Wen Ying who came out.

Wen Ying stepped forward, glanced at the back of Yu Zhaoyuan who had gone away, and asked Ling Qiyan, "What did she tell you?"

"Some inexplicable words," Ling Qiyan said indifferently, and asked him again, "How is the emperor?"

"I've been sick and haven't recovered."

Ling Qiyan stared into his eyes: "Your Highness, what have you done?"

Wen Ying asked him, "Are you afraid?"

Ling Qiyan raised the corners of her lips lightly: "Why should I be afraid? As I said earlier, I'm not afraid of anything you do, as long as you don't bully me."

After thinking for a while, he added another sentence: "Keep it a little secret from the Queen Mother, she can't bear to be stimulated."

Wen Ying took him by the hand: "Yes."

After entering March, the weather was getting warmer, and the emperor still did not return from the other palace. Manchu officials went straight to the East Palace after entering the palace every day, which had become a habit.

In the courtyard of the apse, Ling Qiyan commanded a group of young eunuchs to throw pots for him to watch. Just as he was bored, Jiang Lin came to report that Prince Jing had just come to ask to see the crown prince, but the crown prince was discussing matters with the cabinet, and Prince Jing suddenly proposed, I want to see him, Uncle Wen.

Ling Qiyan raised his eyebrows: "Prince Jing wants to see me?"

"That's exactly what it said."

Ling Qiyan's thoughts were spinning, but he couldn't figure out the intention of this fifth uncle.

What did Prince Jing see him for?

In the past few years, this Prince Jing has been guarding the border, he is not really close to him, let alone, now he has such an embarrassing identity.

strange.

If he can't figure it out, he just doesn't want to think about it, Ling Qiyan raised his chin, and ordered: "Please come in, Prince Jing."

Not long after, Prince Jing was welcomed by his servants. Ling Qiyan got up and went forward to ask for a salute, but he stopped him: "No need, there are no outsiders around, so I don't need these vain presents."

Ling Qiyan smiled: "My lord, please."

Inviting King Jing into the palace, Ling Qiyan calmly ordered people to serve hot tea and snacks, not minding at all that King Jing saw his status in the East Palace.

Prince Jing's expression was flat, as if he was not interested in the affairs between him and Wen Ying, he just asked him: "I heard that you went to the other palace with the crown prince last month, have you ever seen your majesty, how is your majesty?"

"His Majesty the Crown Prince went in to greet His Majesty. I was waiting outside, but I didn't follow in. I heard from His Majesty that His Majesty's health is indeed not very good. He is sick in bed and needs to be taken care of." Ling Qiyan said calmly.

Prince Jing scrutinized his expression nonchalantly: "You heard all these from the prince?"

Ling Qiyan nodded: "His Royal Highness told me."

"His Royal Highness, has your Majesty mentioned anything to you?"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very worried about His Majesty's dragon body. Every day, he will send people to other palaces to pay his respects. His Majesty's wife is not well. He didn't dare to publicize it. He was afraid that the officials outside would make wild guesses, people's hearts would be unstable, and the Queen Mother would be worried. I I didn't dare to mention these things with the Queen Mother."

Ling Qiyan knew that this Prince Jing might be suspicious. The emperor went to another palace for several months, during which time they went to see each other except on New Year's Eve. The brother went twice, but was blocked back.

Not only him, but there have been some bad rumors outside, implying that the emperor is under house arrest by the prince.

Moreover, the crown prince Jianguo has expelled the first assistant and second assistant in the past few months, and replaced the commander of the Jingwei army by taking advantage of the fire on the Shangyuan Festival. It is hard not to think bad things.

Prince Jing is the emperor's most loyal brother, so he is naturally toward the emperor.

"What you said is true?"

Stared at by Prince Jing's cold eyes, Ling Qiyan's expression remained calm: "Of course it's true, I dare not lie to my lord."

Looking at each other calmly for a moment, Prince Jing moved his eyes and reminded him in a soft voice: "Yan'er, the queen mother has always regarded you as a child of our family, and I hope you will always remember this. After all, your majesty has given you the grace of nurturing you for 20 years." .”

"I know, I won't forget."

Ling Qiyan wasn't afraid at all.

His Majesty has indeed raised him for 20 years, but he has such a temperament, he will go to whoever he likes, and no matter what Wen Ying wants to do, he will only stand by Wen Ying's side.

Prince Jing put down his tea bowl and stood up, and finally said, "It's good that you know what's in your heart, and I'd like to persuade you to pray for the night." He didn't linger any longer, and went to the front.

In the front hall, Wen Ying was reviewing memorials.

When Prince Jing came in, he put down his pen and got up to meet him.

"I'm sorry to keep the emperor waiting for so long."

Prince Jing looked at the imperial nephew in front of him calmly, and recalled that when he first met Wen Ying in the Northwest, he was already like this. He seemed calm and introverted, but in fact he was ambitious. What belonged to him, he didn't persuade people at that time, how much effect can he say today?

When he really saw the person, Prince Jing felt a lot of uneasiness again.

He just didn't expect that Wen Ying's ambition was far greater than he thought, maybe he was really wrong.

"What happened to your father?"

Facing Prince Jing's almost questioning tone, Wen Ying replied calmly: "Not very good."

"How bad is it?"

"I'm asleep most of the time, and I'm rarely awake. Nothing can be seen on the pulse, and the imperial doctor can't explain why. The prescription has been changed several times, but it doesn't help much."

King Jing frowned when he heard this: "Why did this happen? When did it start?"

"After going to the other palace, at first I just caught wind and cold, but it didn't get better intermittently, and then it got worse day by day, the reason is unknown."

What Prince Jing asked, what Wen Ying answered, every word, without any guilt.

"really?"

"Don't dare to lie to Uncle Huang."

Wen Ying was so calm that even Prince Jing was not sure if he had misunderstood him.

After thinking about it, he brought up another matter: "That boy from the Shen family and his followers were found buried in the canal after two years of disappearance, with boulders tied to their bodies. They must have been deliberately drowned. , I remember, the only grandson of the mentor you mentioned who sponsored you to study drowned in the lake behind the Imperial College?"

"Yes, it is true."

Wen Ying's expression remained motionless, which made King Jing even more confused.

Back then, in order to determine Wen Ying's life experience, he and the eldest princess had carefully checked his past life, and they were very clear about his relationship with the grandparents of the Zhao family. Some people guessed that it was Shen Xingyao and his group, but Prince Jing couldn't help but think about the connection between the two.

How can ordinary people be able to quietly kill the princes of Wei Guogong and bury their bodies in the water for two full years, and the time when those people disappeared happened to be the eve of Wen Ying's appointment in the Northwest, what a coincidence some.

"Qi Xiao, you know what I mean, tell me honestly, does this matter have anything to do with you?"

Wen Ying asked him, "So what? What if you don't?"

Prince Jing took a deep breath: "You really did it?"

Wen Ying didn't admit it, but said: "No matter who did it, they deserve death."

There was coldness in his voice, King Jing looked at him, as if he suddenly understood that maybe this was the nature of his nephew.

The mind is deep and dark, and the grievances must be revenged.

What he cared about was not the deaths of Shen Xingyao and the others, but Wen Ying like this made him very worried.

"Uncle Huang doesn't have to worry about this," Wen Ying lowered his voice, "I have my own measure."

King Jing became angry when he heard the words, and suddenly raised his voice: "Eliminate the two cabinet ministers, and replace the commander of the Jingwei army. What exactly do you want to do?"

Wen Ying said calmly: "Uncle Huang misunderstood, those two court elders invited themselves to return home, only thinking that they are old and should enjoy their old age, and couldn't bear to force them to stay, so they were fulfilled, Jing The commander of the guard army was transferred out due to dereliction of duty, not on purpose, but just to give an explanation to the people in Beijing."

His words were watertight, as if there were no flaws, but Prince Jing refused to believe it, and asked him in a cold voice: "Tomorrow I will go to the other palace to ask to see His Majesty, I wonder if it is possible to see His Majesty this time?"

Wen Yingdao: "If the father is awake, and the uncle wants to see him, he will naturally see him."

When he said that, it was even more difficult to find fault.

"...If that's the case, that would be great."

The two were silent, Wen Ying seemed to have made up his mind, and Prince Jing would not say anything unless he asked him. King Jing knew that there would be nothing to ask from him, so his frowning brows were still not loosened, and he left.

After the people had left, Ling Qiyan came out of the back hall and asked Wen Ying, "Are you sure you can let Prince Jing go to another palace to meet the emperor?"

Wen Ying asked without answering, "You also met Prince Jing just now? What did he say to you?"

"It's nothing, just to remind me of the emperor's kindness in nurturing me, let me persuade you not to do bad things with you."

Ling Qiyan's words were full of ridicule, Wen Ying pretended not to hear it, and Ling Qiyan asked him again: "Is it true that King Jing is going to see the emperor like this?"

Wen Yingdan said: "If he wants to go, no one can stop him. If I stop him, he will try his best to go."

Indeed, King Jing has the military power of the Beijing North Camp. If he really suspects that Wen Ying has kidnapped the emperor and insists on breaking into another palace to rescue him, who can stop him?

Ling Qiyan smiled but said, "Your Highness, it seems that you have never done anything. Aren't those rumors and gossips just pouring dirty water on His Highness?"

Wen Ying didn't answer, just reached out and stroked his temple hair.

"Can't you tell me?"

Wen Ying looked at him silently.

Ling Qiyan knew that although this person did not hide his ambition in front of him, he did hide something from him, if not, he would not keep silent every time he mentioned it.

"Poor scholar, you don't want to kill the king and father, do you?"

He was the only one who dared to ask this outrightly in front of Wen Ying.

Wen Ying shook his head slightly: "No, and there is no need."

He just wanted that position, he didn't want to wait any longer, and he didn't want Ling Qiyan to live in such a miserable life.

Ling Qiyan breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the words: "That's the best."

The emperor treated Wen Ying, the son who came back halfway, not bad. If Wen Ying really did something outrageous, even if he didn't care about it himself, let alone the infamy that thousands of people accused him of, he was afraid that God would not be able to see him.

Some things are better to be believed.

Wen Ying asked him, "Do you care about this?"

Ling Qiyan smiled: "I care about you, Your Highness. If you don't do anything, the Crown Princess is about to enter the door. Then I really have to make room. At that time, I will go to Jiangnan and never come back..."

Before Ling Qiyan finished speaking, Wen Ying's face became cloudy, so he smiled even more happily, and continued to tease the cold-faced prince: "When I go to the south of the Yangtze River, I will also marry a wife and give birth to a puppy." Egg."

"To shut up!"

It really was a joke, Ling Qiyan smiled and fell into his arms.