Bastards

The prince continued to provide Tian Guifei with opportunities to make trouble.

In the current situation, Prince Chang's father, Nashi Nahuyun, can't sit still, and his mother, Concubine Tian Gui, can't sit still either.Prince Chang is still in the dungeon, let alone meddling, if you want to meet, you have to spend a lot of time, this is a love for the parents, why don't you discuss it?

There was an accident in Tianze Temple last time, but it didn't happen. This time, we must sit down and have an interview.

Moreover, Concubine Tian Gui will definitely not dare to make troubles and do other tricks, even if it is for the good of everyone.

What if something happens accidentally again like last time?

This time, she will be more cautious.

The crown prince Yang Xuan was very magnanimous when he was in a hurry, and at the right time, as the minister of Zongzheng Temple and in charge of royal affairs, he made a proposal that no one could refuse-sacrifice to the emperor's tomb.

Ordinary people worship their ancestors every year, let alone the royal family?This imperial mausoleum is sacrificed every year, but the time can be flexible, usually around the Chinese New Year, and occasionally due to special reasons, it is moved to different seasons.The weather is good this year, and now it is the winter moon, and there is only more than a month before the Chinese New Year. The timing is just right!

The imperial mausoleum is located in the west of the northern suburbs, in a remote place, although it is not too far from the city, it is impossible to complete one day after coming and going, one needs to stay outside for one night.In order to show respect to the ancestors, the food and lodging will definitely not be very good. Generally, you have to remember the bitterness and think about the sweetness, you must be a vegetarian, you must abstain from sex, and it is best not to even order the charcoal basin.

Concubine Tian Gui is in this situation, she is favored but not titled, and she is not a queen, so she should not be able to sacrifice to the mausoleum with Emperor Taikang, so it is best not to go.That's what she did in the past. When Emperor Taikang went, she didn't go. Sometimes Emperor Taikang didn't want to go, so he sent a representative of Yue Junwang to stay with her in the imperial city.

But this time is different.

This year is generally going well, but various things, especially the sons, are so bad that Emperor Taikang wants to personally sacrifice his ancestors, that is, his father, and let the late emperor take good care of him. It would be better if he made a move.

Emperor Taikang was very active about this mausoleum sacrifice.

Concubine Tian Gui had a plan in mind, so she also clamored to follow.

Of course, you can't say this directly, you have to 'take your heart'.

Her status does not allow her to sacrifice to the mausoleum, so it doesn’t matter, she doesn’t go in, she just watches from the outside, and kowtows a few times from a distance; it’s okay to be a vegetarian and suffer from the cold, she doesn’t feel bitter, and she has lived a life worse than this before; as for abstinence, She is a woman, timid, how dare she make trouble in such a sacred place?

She was just worried about the emperor and didn't want to be away from the emperor...

Concubine Tian Gui had already grasped Emperor Taikang's pulse. There was nothing she wanted, and she didn't even need to plan ahead for such a trivial matter, and it came at her fingertips.

Emperor Taikang took Concubine Tian Gui with him.

……

Cui Mata didn't want to join in this excitement.

What's so good about the mausoleum?It’s nothing more than kneeling and worshiping according to the etiquette process. The emperor made a speech on the altar. In winter, the cold wind is blowing, watching this excitement?

Is it fun?

Cui Yu didn't want to suffer from the cold. Besides, he didn't have an official status, so even if he got an invitation, it would be a dishonorable name. He might as well look at Luoyang City.

Ashina Huyun may talk to Concubine Tian in secret, or ignore her and go directly to the prison to find Prince Chang...

The possibility of the latter is not very high. The prince has a special status, involves too much, and takes too much effort to round up. If he is not careful, he will be exposed. Ashina Huyun has been lurking for several years and acts in secret, so it is unlikely that he will be so impulsive.

The most beneficial method for him is to find Concubine Tian Gui.

But no matter how small the chance is, it still exists. Cui Yu made up his mind to defend Luoyang.

However, it is a pity that the plan is not as good as changing. Cui Shu came to him and said that he had prepared everything, and invited him to go to the theater together.

Cui Yu directly refused: "No."

"I know you're afraid of the cold, so my little uncle promises not to let you freeze!" Cui Shu blinked at him with a mysterious expression on his face, "I found an excellent place with a good view, airtight, a brazier, and Bring tea, snacks and melon seeds!"

Cui Mata looked at him sideways.

So the most important thing is melon seeds, right?

"It's okay if you want to bring food and drinks!" Cui Shu patted his chest, "That place is on the downwind side, no matter how strong the smell is, just go outside when it floats out, never go into the crowd, and make sure no one smells it Discover!"

Cui Yu looked at the sky outside the window and was a little moved.

"After sacrificing the mausoleum, I will take you to the cliff on the top of the mountain. There is a small house there, which is very comfortable. You can see the most perfect sunrise and the most beautiful sea of ​​clouds. No one knows about it yet!" Coaxing and persuading, he said that the scene of sacrificing the mausoleum was extremely fun, like watching a monkey show, and described the scenery of the cliff like a fairyland.

Even Cui Shu helped him think about the sky prison that Cui Yu was worried about.

"Don't worry, my little uncle has made arrangements for the sky prison, and I guarantee that there will be no mistakes. If the old Turkic man dares to come, he will definitely let him go and never return!"

"Go, let's go...Let's watch the fun with uncle and nephew...You just look after the prince, don't let him make trouble..."

Cui Mata couldn't beat the little uncle, and his heart was a little moved, so he didn't hesitate anymore and followed the little uncle.

The Royal Sacrifice Mausoleum was grand, and the Son of Heaven traveled in person, with his staff stretched out for several miles, solemn and mighty, but the speed was a little slower.

Cui Shu led Cui Yu to ride a horse, detoured around the path, and walked along the side of the mountain, light and fast.

The horse walks on the mountain road or on the flat ground, so the rider feels the same, and will not feel uncomfortable. Cui Yu was wrapped airtight by his uncle in a super thick silver fox fur cloak, and he wore leather boots with fleece lining under his feet. He also brought a hand stove, not to mention the cold, he was almost sweating from the heat, so he had to lift the hood trimmed with snow-white velvet a little more to cool off.

The leaves are withered in winter, and the scenery is a bit depressed, but the mountains are different.The deciduous trees are bare and unsightly, but there are pines and cypresses in the mountains, and they are still standing in emerald color at this time of year. The mountains are humid, and there are faint white mist clusters in the high places, lingering in the green clumps. Among them, the clouds and mountains look like purple transpiration, which is very eye-catching.

Cui Yu followed the horse all the way through the mountains, admiring the mountain scenery for a long time, until a group of buildings appeared.

The imperial mausoleum covers a very large area, with Shinto, stone carvings, archways, stele pavilions, Minglou, Endian... just the ground, the land occupied by the ground can no longer be seen at a glance. How deep and how wide.

Before the emperor arrived, the imperial mausoleum had been cleared and checked by the imperial guards, and there were many guards.

Cui Yu followed Cui Shu from the mountain path. He did not reach the gate of the imperial mausoleum, nor did he take the corridor. The aerial roots hanging from a big tree swayed to the East Side Hall.

The imperial mausoleum faces south and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The mountain on the east side is the steepest, the farthest, the most inaccessible, and the east side hall is also very far from the main altar.Due to the terrain, the westerly wind is blowing here, which is equally cold and has no temperature, but Cui Shu is right, this place is really on the downwind side, and it is a little far away. The nearest guards are tens of feet away. What they do, as long as there is little movement, no one will really notice.

Cui Shu chose the attic above the East Side Hall. The space is not as small as the main hall, and it is slightly shorter. It will be enough for an adult to stand and walk, but the location is high enough and the view is excellent.The space is not very large, and it is convenient for Cui Mata to install a charcoal basin. Just put one, and the entire attic can be warmed up. There are exhaust windows at the rear, so you don't have to worry about getting charcoal gas.

"How is it? Are you comfortable?" Cui Shusheng finished the charcoal basin and took out all the things he brought, of course, he didn't forget his milk-flavored melon seeds.

Cui Yu sincerely praised: "Very good, thank you for your hard work, little uncle."

"Be polite with little uncle—" Cui Shu stretched out his hand with a smirk, "Just let little uncle pinch his face!"

Cui Yu held the tea in a slow manner: "The little uncle touched Miss Meier's hand last time, it seems that...you haven't left the house for two days?"

Cui Shu withdrew his hand awkwardly and touched his nose.

Xiang Ling of his family is good at everything, but he is very jealous and has a bad temper. He always eats unpalatable vinegar.He doesn't really mind playing wildly once in a while, it's fine if he doesn't get out of bed for two days, as long as he feels happy, but if it's because of this reason... it's a bit embarrassing.

"Oh, that's a cold." He didn't admit it.

So far, he has made the point of not allowing Xiang Ling to be jealous, does pinching his nephew count as one?

I can't be sure, so I have to give up, in case my nephew sues...

cough cough.

Cui Shu began to chat about other topics: "Will the emperor officiate later? Where is the prince standing?"

"One step back to the left, where is it?" Cui Yu pointed in a direction uncertainly.

Cui Shu crossed his legs, resting his chin and sighing: "It would be great if the prince officiates this time, it just happens to be a chance to win people's hearts..."

Worshiping ancestors is all about showing their faces. Those who stand at the front must be the ones that attract the most attention, and it is also the best way to determine the majesty of the status. In the past, Emperor Taikang was lazy, and the king of Yuejun had replaced him many times. Without a sense of presence, it was finally the prince's turn, but Emperor Taikang wanted to come in person.

Although the current strength of the prince does not point to this enhancement of presence, but it is better than nothing.

The uncles and nephews were sipping tea, chatting, um, knocking melon seeds, and the topic gradually changed from offering sacrifices to mausoleums to all over the world, ancient and modern worlds, and Cui Shu also gossiped and taught Cui Yu all the strange things he encountered. , like a storytelling, with ups and downs, foreshadowing and climaxes, plus reminders of surprises and flashes, it is very similar to the story, and Cui Yu is also a supporter, and if he responds twice at the right time, Cui Shu will be even more excited...

The atmosphere is particularly warm.

Cui Yu suspected for a while that if the little uncle insisted on dragging him, it must be because he wanted someone to accompany him.Think about sitting here alone, waiting for something to happen, even if there are melon seeds knocked, it is deserted, too lonely, isn't it?

Inadvertently, time always passed quickly, as if in a blink of an eye, Emperor Taikang came with a large army, and immediately after, the activities of worshiping the mausoleum began.

As imagined, the ceremony was solemn and solemn, with a sense of majesty everywhere.

When the neat phalanx team wearing armor and battle armor and holding spears passed by; when the ministers fought in civil and military divisions, and lined up to greet them; when the crown prince Yang Xuan was dressed in bright yellow court clothes, with sharp eyebrows and calm steps...

The sky is high and the ground is wide, the wind is buzzing, and the momentum is Huanghuang.

The silence at this moment, the "Prince Chitose" that shook the world the next moment, is like a picture that is strongly imprinted in your mind.

Only he, only the crown prince, can give people this feeling, this feeling that seems to be bestowed by the gods of heaven and earth.If it were someone else, King Yue, King Ping, and even Emperor Taikang himself were not as impressive as the crown prince.

The civil and military ministers had different expressions, their heads kowtowed to the ground in awe.

This is the momentum... the momentum of the world, the momentum of the heaven and the earth!

The process of sacrificial mausoleum is indeed a bit boring. Even the emperor is a bit like a puppet, following the guidance of the ritual officer again and again, doing different actions.No matter how straight Emperor Taikang stood and how excited he was when he spoke, Cui Yu could tell from his slightly stiff movements that the emperor was extremely cold.

But the ceremony is not over yet, so we have to persevere.

Looking at the thick clothes on his body, the hot tea in his hands, and the brazier in front of him, Cui Yu felt that...he was happier.

Turning my head again, I found that the little uncle had lost all energy to kowtow melon seeds, yawned and stared impatiently outside, as if to say: Why is it not over yet?

Didn't the little uncle just want to come to this fun?

Could it be...

Finally, the ceremony was finally over, and Cui Shu came to his senses: "It must start over there, and I don't know what Xiang Ling is doing..."

Cui Yu understood that it was fake to watch the excitement of the festival, and the main purpose was to keep an eye on Xiang Ling!

"Hmph, it's so mysterious, saying 'I'll let Concubine Tian Gui use me', but she doesn't reveal a single word, it's so tantalizing, it's too bad!"

Cui Shu had disgust on his face, but there was no lack of expectation in his eyes.

Cui Yu paused for a moment: "There are many uncontrollable factors in his doing this, and there may be dangers. Isn't my little uncle worried?"

"Worried about him?" Cui Shu waved his hand, raised his brows, "He has a nickname among us, 'Xianghu, the all-rounder'. He has great abilities, just wait and see."

……

Concubine Tian Gui was placed outside the mausoleum, in the west wing, a place specially for the entourage to rest.

Now that she had given the obvious reason, she had to be round. When the voice came from the front, Concubine Tian Guifei pretended to remove her big clothes, came out and knelt in the yard, bowed and kowtowed in the direction of the imperial mausoleum, very pious.

She kept saluting, even though her body was shaking slightly with fatigue and her lips were dark blue from the cold, she didn't stop.

The entourage didn't dare to be negligent, and hurriedly urged Nanny Gui to persuade him.

"The empress respects the ancestors, it is a filial piety, but the late emperor has always been open-minded and generous, he must not want to see someone hurt his body to remember him..."

"Although respecting the ancestors is important, the emperor's dragon body is even more important. The empress still needs to serve the emperor. If you are injured or sick, not only will you not be able to serve the emperor, but it will also cause him to worry..."

……

Nanny Gui led people to persuade her three times before Concubine Tian Gui stood up with 'difficulty' supporting her hand, and said softly: "Mommy, don't blame me, I understand..."

After being helped into the house like this, Concubine Tian Gui didn't come out again, the people below were very anxious, for fear that something would happen to this beloved concubine.

As a regular attendant of the province, he often served in the inner court and dispatched Mr. Xiang Ling who was very strong in coordinating work. Since he followed suit, all kinds of troublesome matters related to the emperor must be reported to him.

Concubine Tian Gui was tossing about whether it was big or small, and she couldn't ignore it, how to deal with it, how to coax people, the people below couldn't make up their minds, so they naturally came to him.

Xiang Ling smiled slightly, and arched his hands upwards: "Since the emperor has entrusted the matter to the subordinates, the subordinates will definitely handle it well, don't worry, I will go and have a look in person."

Calm and stable, but also particularly responsible.

The little eunuch who reported the letter was so moved that he almost cried.

After all, he is a foreigner, and he pays attention to avoiding suspicion. When Xiang Ling arrived at the place where Concubine Tian was staying, he did not disturb anyone, and quietly called the eunuch and maid in front of Concubine Tian's door for questioning.After asking carefully, he began to give instructions.

The rules say that it is not allowed to burn charcoal pots, and it does not say that the empress must be frozen. The empress has been kneeling for a long time, and she is tainted by the cold, so it is always good to soak her feet, right?Go prepare hot water, medicated bath, and soak your mother's feet!

After soaking your feet, the empress must not sit on a chair, go to spread a thick and soft quilt on the bed, and smoke it with a hot stove in advance to ensure warmth!

Even if the empress is on the couch, it may not be cold, so prepare a few more Mrs. Tang and put them under the quilt at any time!

The empress's tea can be touched at any time, and it will be hot at any time. If it is not hot, change it immediately. The palace raises you, not to hide from laziness!

……

The same thing, the arrangements are thoughtful and meticulous, he can think of what others can think of, and he can think of what others can't think of.

A group of palace maids and eunuchs were led around by him, but somehow they had a backbone. They were not panicked or chaotic, and their footsteps were much more stable. They should do what they should do.

In the room, Nanny Gui squeezed Concubine Tian Gui's shoulders, and seeing the eldest lady gave her a wink, she handed Concubine Tian Gui a cup of hot tea, quietly walked to the side, listened to the report of the eldest lady.

When she came back quietly, she happened to receive the unfinished tea from Concubine Tian Gui.

Concubine Tian Gui's voice was tight: "What happened?"

"It's nothing serious..." Nanny Gui lowered her voice, "Just now when Xiaotao went out, Master Xiang saw her."

Xiaotao is a palace maid who came in recently, she is being trained, she violated Concubine Tian's taboo just now, she was punished a bit severely.Let’s just leave it alone, now in the imperial mausoleum, you need to pay attention to everything you say and do. It’s not a good thing for the maids in the palace to be exposed in front of people like this. If the adults accidentally spread the word...

Concubine Tian Gui narrowed her eyes: "Is there an order outside?"

"Yes."

"He saw Xiaotao, did he say anything?"

"It's not, it seems that I didn't see it."

Concubine Tian's eyes fell on the green jade bracelet on her wrist: "This is a smart..."

She already knew Xiang Ling.He is tactful, knows how to deal with affairs, is considerate in handling affairs, and is a master of crisis management. When others mention him, there is no one who does not give a thumbs up.To be able to be this kind of person must be very transparent, don't want to worry about things, things are sensitive, and have nothing to do with oneself, it's normal to pretend that you don't see it.

Concubine Tian Gui twirled the bracelet, her thoughts turned sharply in her eyes.

In the previous few times, she lost a lot of people, but this time, she went out of the palace again, so she can't bring too many people, and there are really not many people who can be used right now.Xiang Ling... is not her person, and she doesn't dare to believe it all, but this person has a personality, and it doesn't matter if he takes advantage of it a little.

If used well, this person will help her avoid troubles, and even testify for her in case of an accident...

"Tell him to come in, I will meet you in this palace."

Nanny Gui hurriedly pulled the screen, and sent someone to order Xiang to come in.

Xiang Ling's eyebrows are slightly frowned, his eyes are slightly tight, and there is a habitual warm smile on his face, but there is a bit of nervousness in the bottom of his eyes.

Seeing his performance, Concubine Tian was relieved a lot.This person is smooth and transparent, but he can't hide some thoughts. He is a smart and sensible person, but he can use it.

"Master Xiang, don't be nervous. Please get up."

Xiang Ling got up and didn't speak in a hurry.

Concubine Tian Gui was even more satisfied, and she didn't make any secrets, and said directly: "I invite Mr. Xiang to ask Mr. Xiang for a favor."

She had thought about it, with a small official like Xiang Ling, you don't have to be too kind. If you are too warm, the effect will not be good. It is better to order directly.

"Bengong is a little tired now, and wants to rest for an hour. When I wake up, I want to steam the pastry with my favorite sugar. But this time I came out in a hurry, and the chef who made the pastry didn't know what to bring..."

Xiang Lingxian understood her hint, and clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, don't worry, your Majesty is resting, and no outsiders will disturb you. This crispy cheese can definitely be eaten."

"En." Concubine Tian Gui nodded, "The emperor said earlier that you are capable, and I think so too. This crispy cheese has to be cooked carefully, and Lord Xiang please watch it carefully, and don't let the people below play tricks."

"Yes."

"The ceremony ahead is over, and the emperor won't be free for a while. I see that there is a plum forest to the north. The scenery is good. I want to go for a walk later. To avoid embarrassment when encountering a stranger, I ask Mr. Xiang to help clear the place."

The order should also be.

Concubine Tian Guifei finished talking about everything, and did not leave any further orders: "Only these few things, I will trouble Sir Xiang today, Sir, if you do well, I will reward you greatly."

"Thank you madam!"

The meeting was brief, but satisfactory to both parties.

Concubine Tian Gui thought she had found the right person to help, so she could carry out the following plan. Xiang Ling... Xiang Ling's lips changed slightly, as if he was smiling, but he didn't seem to be smiling at all. Like blood.

Concubine Tian Gui, it looks like she is about to move.

I just don't know, when?

As I said before, I was so deliberate and tight, and in the end I casually mentioned Yu Meilin and asked him to clear the way, so, which one is it?

……

Concubine Tian Gui leaned against the wall, walked through one road after another, turned out two doors, and stopped at a remote boulder.

She was very anxious, twisting her handkerchief from time to time, walking back and forth within three feet, turning her head from time to time, and looking around, vigilant and eager.

She is waiting.

The heart that was waiting was hot and cold, cold and hot again, and after an unknown period of time, the wrist was clasped and the person was pulled aside.

As soon as she saw the person coming, Concubine Tian Gui became angry, tears almost burst out, she was angry and resentful: "You still know to come!"

The person who came was wearing a white hoodie, his figure was invisible, and his head and face were completely covered.

"Since the imperial concubine doesn't want to see me—" His voice was low and hoarse, but he still exuded an indescribable sense of power, arrogant, cold, and a little bit bad, and this kind of bad, the most Attract women, "Then I'm leaving."

He wasn't just talking, he had already turned around while talking, his body was slightly lowered, and his toes were stretched out, as if he was about to practice lightness kung fu.

Concubine Tian Gui was in a panic and grabbed his sleeve hastily.

Worried that the sleeves would be torn off due to lack of strength, she put her arms around the man's waist again, and beat the man's back with her fist: "You are heartless, don't care about me, don't you want your son!"

As he spoke, he actually cried.

The visitor showed no pity at all, and pushed Concubine Tian Gui away indifferently: "Do you still know it's my son? My son, how good is it to be tricked by a stupid woman like you?"

Concubine Tian Gui had never failed to show her charm to Emperor Taikang, now she took the initiative to rush forward, sincerely, but was pushed away like this, she was a little ashamed and angry, and she couldn't help taking two steps back.

She backed away, but the person approached.

The person came step by step and forced her to the corner, with oppressive momentum and fierce eyes: "Stupid, stupid, short-sighted, and insanely stupid, my son has been raised and disabled by you! Now even the sky prison is in place!"

Concubine Tian Gui felt a little wrong about this matter, after all, it was brothers fighting each other, but it wasn't her fault alone!

One sentence blurted out, confidently: "It's not because I don't have a father to teach!"