bluestone

After that day, Qing Ming was still the new emperor of Great Zhou with a refined smile and sharp eyes, and Han Tuo was still the young general Han who "competed head to head" and "careless" with the new emperor. For a moment, the two exchanged a look that only they understood each other, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.

They were all looking forward to that appointment.

Soon, Han Tuo finally sent someone to deliver the news on a certain day that Zhu Xun was almost impatiently waiting for.

Afterwards, I heard that Zhu Xun was extremely happy all day long, and even treated the servant who made a mistake with a kind face.

The conspiracy on the surface and the countermeasures behind the scenes are all being carried out in an orderly manner, arranged, seemingly silently, just waiting for the thunder on the ground and the sky to burst...

November 18th is the new emperor's birthday. It has been a full ten years since he left the imperial capital, and a full [-] years since he was born. As the first birthday of the new emperor after he ascended the throne, it is natural to celebrate it.

Therefore, that day became an excellent opportunity, and at the same time, it also became an important date for the family to decline.

On the ninth day of October, one month before the birthday celebration, preparations began.

On October [-]th, the new emperor led his entourage to visit Zhu Zhixing's hermitage in the suburbs of the city on the grounds that he had never visited his grandfather when he returned to Beijing.

I heard that Zhu Zhixing, the former prime minister, was very happy and entertained the new emperor in the humble house. He talked with candlelight all day and night, and the conversation was so happy that he even forgot the time to eat; Qi Qiran.

As for the content of the conversation, only the two of them know, and no one can inquire.

On October 21, the Emperor Taishang suffered a serious illness. Doctor Xuan entered the palace for diagnosis and treatment, and left at dawn.

Empress Dowager Zhu was worried about the emperor's illness and refused to leave for a long time. The new emperor was grateful for her affection and allowed her to accompany her day and night, take care of her left and right, chant scriptures and pray for blessings, and never saw outsiders.

On November [-]nd, there were still ten days before the birthday celebration.

Just in the afternoon, Qing Ming sat in the imperial study, sorting out the affairs of the court.

Suddenly hearing a soft knock outside the door, Qingming raised his eyes and glanced outside.

Dong Gui immediately understood what he meant, hurried out, and soon returned to Qing Ming.

"What's the matter?" Qing Ming put down the brush, leaned on the back of the chair, folded his hands naturally, and said gracefully.

"It's Xiao Li who is next to His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince, here to send a message for the Sixth Prince." Dong Gui paused, and seeing that he was silent, he continued: "The Sixth Prince is the host of the other princes, and invites the Holy One to come to Anping tonight. Let’s celebrate the birthday of the Holy Majesty in advance.”

When Qingming ascended the throne, the first prince Ji Yuechun was named King Chun, the second prince Ji Yueliu was named King Liu, and the fourth prince Ji Yuelin was named King Lin. They had their own mansions and titles, but the fifth and sixth princes were still young. The king does not have a title, but is only called the fifth prince and the sixth prince. He lives in the palace, and he will be given a title when he reaches the age of fifteen.

Anping Hall is the residence of the Sixth Prince. Obviously he led this matter. The other princes probably couldn't bear to reject the youngest brother, so they simply let him go. Celebrating the birthday is just a cover after all. I guess he has something to say to Qing Ming. , I just didn't know what method to use, so I found an excuse and told him to go to my residence.

Qing Ming smiled, he is still a smart young brother, he can probably guess what he wants to say, "I know, I will go on time, so you go back."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Dong Gui withdrew and conveyed Qing Ming's meaning to Xiao Li.

Xiao Li immediately returned to Anping Hall.

The sixth prince, Ji Yueji, who was waiting in the palace, saw him come back, and quickly asked, "How is it, has the emperor agreed?"

"I agree, I agree, the emperor said: I will come on time."

"That's good, that's good." The eight-year-old sixth prince was beaming with joy, his childish and round face was faintly cyan under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for several days, his whole body was much haggard, with big anxious eyes Finally revealed a ray of light.

"It's fine if you come, no matter what kind of punishment, as long as the father is fine, it will be worth it." He muttered happily.

Xiao Li next to him knew the truth to some extent, but seeing the young master's worries and anxieties could not be expressed, he felt very tormented. After today, he could finally stop worrying.

That night, at You hour, Anping Hall

"The emperor is here~" Dong Gui sang, and Qingming arrived as promised.

All the princes stood up, bowed and said, "Welcome, Your Majesty!"

"Everyone, please stand up, there is no need to be too polite." Qing Ming put his hands on his hands and smiled modestly.

After a brief exchange of greetings, everyone was seated.

Qingming was in the first place, King Chun and King Liu sat on both sides, and the remaining three sat around the table in turn.

The princes of the Ji family don't move around much, and when they were young, they might have been jealous over who was more favored by their father, but now the one who should grow up and the one who should succeed to the throne are not considered close, but can still be regarded as relatives. and harmony.

Qing Ming took the initiative and said: "It's hard for you brothers to remember it specially, I will do it first as a respect!" Then he raised his glass and drank it, and then said, "It stands to reason that I haven't seen you for ten years, and I haven't moved around, so it should be Yue Huang This man who left home is entertaining all of you, but unfortunately he is busy with affairs and has no time left, Yuehuang will punish himself with three cups." After speaking, he drank three more cups in succession.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a king or a minister tonight, it's just brothers reminiscing about the old days, so don't be cautious." He smiled broadly.

"Then the second brother should be respectful rather than obedient!" Ji Yueliu, who was always bold and unassuming, smiled recklessly and raised his glass.

"It should be like this, please, second brother." Qing Ming raised his glass.

"Ding~" The two cups collided.

Ji Yueliu drank the sake in the cup, the fragrance remained on her lips and teeth, and the lingering aftertaste, she couldn't help but blinked, and sighed, "Good wine, I also wonder why my third brother is so greedy today, and drank four cups as soon as he sat down. I didn't expect it to be Gu Dan's tribute There are no more than five jars of good wine here, as far as I know, this should be the last jar!"

"Second brother really knows the goods. After receiving the news from the sixth brother today, I sent someone to bring the wine, just to entertain everyone tonight."

"It seems that the brothers have a good meal tonight," Ji Yueliu said, waving his hands, "Hurry up and try it, lest you will be punished by the third brother and confiscated."

Listening to his teasing, Qing Ming was not annoyed, but just smiled gently.

The other people, who were still a little worried, looked at the two of them, and they all raised their glasses and took a sip. The sixth prince was still young, so he only took a sip and then put it down.

Then, Ji Yueliu turned to talk to the fourth child on the other side.

Qingming also turned his head, and said to Ji Yuechun on the other side: "I heard that my sister-in-law gave birth to Lin'er for my elder brother, and I'm really sorry that I haven't had time to say congratulations to my elder brother in person."

"I can't bear it, I can't bear it," Ji Yuechun hurriedly stopped, and said, "I still want to thank you, Your Majesty..."

"Cough~ big brother!"

Ji Yuechun quickly changed his words when he heard the sound, "Third brother Lao is worried about him. He is obviously busy with government affairs, but he took the time to send someone to send a generous gift. Brother is already very happy, so there is no need to feel sorry."

"Thank you, big brother, for your understanding! I heard that my little nephew was born fair and cute. I don't know when I brought it to the palace, so that my third brother can have a look?"

"When the third brother is free, you can do it anytime. Let's talk about Sheng'er..." When talking about his own son, Ji Yuechun, who had just been promoted to be a father, couldn't help talking too much.

Qing Ming didn't interrupt, and listened very carefully.

The atmosphere, which was still a bit rigid and serious, was completely relaxed in the subtle harmony between him and Ji Yue.

After a dinner, the host and guest enjoyed themselves.

After drinking and eating, the other four princes took their leave one after another and left the Anping Palace.

Qing Ming stayed behind on the grounds of checking the sixth prince's homework.

Sitting at the table, Qingming carefully read the political commentary written by Ji Yueqi.

Ji Yuezhen lowered her head, and looked up at her elder brother sitting beside her from time to time, as if hesitating to speak.

"Just say what you want to say, tonight I'm just your brother, not the new Emperor of the Great Zhou." Qing Ming said softly, keeping his eyes on the paper, and just raised his hand to caress his head.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked timidly, "Brother Yuehuang, is it true that Father is still awake after being poisoned?"

Qingming gave him a cold look, and asked casually, "Where did you hear the rumor?"

"Brother Yuehuang, if it's a rumor, why didn't the empress father and mother even see me, and why was the empress placed under house arrest?" Ji Yueqi suddenly asked excitedly.

"The queen mother told you?" Qing Ming asked.

"No, I overheard it during the discussion among the imperial doctors." He lowered his head and replied with a guilty conscience.

"It's okay to tell you. After all, the others already know about it. It's just because you are young that you are hiding it from you. Since you want to know, I will tell you." Qing Ming put down his homework, looked at him, and said seriously. He said, "Father was indeed poisoned, and the poison was unique to the Rong people. Father is still in a coma and has not been able to completely detoxify. He only suppressed it temporarily. When the poisoner is not found, his life will be in danger at any time."

"The person who poisoned you?" Ji Yuezhen turned pale instantly.

Qing Ming didn't speak, but just looked at him inscrutablely.

"What about the queen mother?" He asked anxiously again.

"The poison was indeed related to the queen mother, but she said she didn't know what happened, so she was only under house arrest for the time being."

"Brother Yuehuang, if you catch the poisoner, what will you do to him?" Ji Yueqi asked with a pale face and trembling body.

"Whoever made a mistake should be responsible for his actions. I have a deep understanding of this, and you should understand it too."

Ji Yuechen gritted her teeth, anxious and contradictory.

Qingming watched him struggle and finally made a choice.

"Brother Yuehuang, I... I know who the poisoner is," Ji Yueqi squeezed out the words one by one with red eyes, choked up, "I saw that in Zhu's residence, he received several The guests from the northwest... I didn't know who they were at the time, but I found out later; a few days before my father was poisoned, I went to visit my mother, and I saw the same thing. He handed a pack of medicine to my mother, saying yes... said yes The medicine for strengthening the body, the queen mother happily planned to cook it for the father... Then, the father fell ill. That person, he, he is..."

"I see." After all, Qing Ming couldn't bear it and interrupted him.

"Huh? You know?" Ji Yueqi raised her eyes and looked at him in surprise.

"Well, I already knew that the poison of the father has been cured, and he is just resting quietly; although the queen mother didn't say who gave her the medicine, she can find it out as long as she checks it. After all, she can see it. There are not many people, as for the house arrest, it is also to protect her from continuing to contact her uncle." Qing Ming explained.

"Brother Yuehuang, uncle, he, he..."

"You don't have to plead for him. The wrong things he has done can no longer be solved by simple punishment, and it may even cost the entire Zhu family. No matter how good your relationship with him is, no matter how close you are, don't forget that you Your surname is Ji, and you are the sixth son of the Great Zhou royal family, and he and the Zhu family are only relatives." Qing Ming reminded him in a deep voice, "Some people have done wrong things, and no one can keep them, and neither can I."

After finishing speaking, without looking at him, he got up and walked out, "Think about it carefully, is he sincerely treating you, or is he just trying to use you? These few days, I will shut myself in the hall and reflect on myself, so I don't want to see guests."

"Your Majesty," Ji Yueqi suddenly stopped him, using another address.

Qing Ming didn't look back.

"Will you let the rest of the Zhu family go?"

Qing Ming didn't give an answer, and left the Anping Hall directly.

Afterwards, the Anping Hall was guarded by the guards in the palace, who said: The sage ordered that the sixth prince was addicted to play and neglected his homework, and he was specially ordered to close the door and think about his mistakes. During the time of thinking about his mistakes, he refused to see guests.