empress and princess

The "Hanqing Palace" in that room received a letter, and her old friend invited her to a teahouse outside the palace. After much deliberation, Chu Huaimin decided to go to the appointment.

The teahouse is located in a bustling market, but the private rooms upstairs are extraordinarily quiet.

You can see the scenery of the city through the window, and the incense is wafting from the corner. On the table is a pot of sake, two cups of tea, and three dishes of side dishes. Old friends are sitting opposite each other.

"I left Chu State in a hurry. I haven't said goodbye to you yet. When we talk about it again, we are in Qin State. Now this is the scene." Song Rong sighed for the impermanence of the world.

Chu Huaimin was not in the mood to sigh, and when he picked up the cup, he paused: "Your injury?"

The mottled scars exposed on Song Rong's wrists are either deep or shallow, covering both hands. They are in stark contrast with the white skin, which is very frightening!Look carefully, but it is blocked by Song Rong's sleeves.

I heard that the Song Dynasty was in turmoil, and the third prince was arrested and imprisoned and was bullied...

"It's not a problem, it's just a minor injury." Her tone was relaxed, her eyes were still soft, "My throne is not easy to come by. I didn't want to fight for anything, but they are too aggressive."

"So I endured the humiliation and finally sat on the throne. These injuries can be considered merit. Thinking about it this way, it doesn't hurt so much."

The smile is still that warm smile, but there is something more in his eyes. After all, he has been a carefree young man for many years. He has experienced the turmoil in his family and country, lost everything, learned to grow up, and shouldered the burden of the country.

Looking at Song Rong, Chu Huaimin saw the determination in those eyes, but he couldn't see through the person in front of him.Although half of them have the same blood, they are not from their own family after all. A person who can calm the chaos of the Song Dynasty has no ability. I'm afraid it has long been...

Talking too much will only expose people's scars, everyone has their own way to go, so Chu Huaimin said: "Forget it, from now on, rely on yourself."

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Song Rong smiled at her, frowned, showing some hesitation, "It's you, who was supposed to be the empress of Song Dynasty, but now I'm Qin Kingdom..."

It is not an exaggeration to say that he is a prisoner.

Chu Huaimin pursed his lips and said calmly, "I'm fine too."

Song Rong waved his hand: "Forget it, let's not talk about these unhappy things, we each have our own destiny, since it is destined, let it go."

"Song Rong, you are still so free and easy."

"Then what should I do?" Song Rong shook his head and smiled bitterly.They want her dead, does she really deserve to die?

"I toast you."

Not much to say, the wine that Chu Huaimin added this time was also a respect to the young monarch in front of him.

The future will be smooth and high-spirited.

She toasted Song Rong and drank a few more glasses. After drinking the wine, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she became slightly drunk, but her consciousness was so clear.

"To be honest, I took the risk to come to Qin for the daughter of King Qi...but this King Qi doesn't seem to give me any face, and I repeatedly evade, but I...haven't seen her yet."

"Qin Jihuang?"

"Yes, it's her!" Song Rong said, "I came here for her."

Chu Huaimin was silent for a moment: "Do you really like her?"

It wasn't wine red or blushing, Song Rong touched the base of her ear uncomfortably: "...I like it." Then he smiled warmly, "The first time I saw her, I fell in love with her, although, then The girl always speaks badly, but I just like her, so I don't care about her."

"Qin Jihuang... has such an unruly temper, which is far from yours. Your visit to Qin may not be as you wish."

Song Rong's eyes turned cold, as if thinking of something, and then smiled: "I remember she said, when I become the king of Song and come to her again, she will marry me."

"Arong, things... are not as simple as you think."

"Is it complicated? I know you don't like her, so it's not a big deal. If that's the case, and the promise comes first, so what if I marry her?"

Chu Huaimin was speechless for a moment.

"Her, I'm going to make a decision." Song Rong stared straight at Chu Huaimin, word by word:

"What I, Song Rong, decided, will never look back in my life!"

Chu Huaimin didn't say anything, just poured a glass of wine, and sipped it slowly. The aroma of the wine was not intoxicating, but it was intoxicating and blinded.

Fate is so tricky.If you can't get it, you have to fight for it, what's wrong?

She didn't tell Song Rong that she might not see Qin Jihuang at the banquet tonight. Not long ago, the Empress Dowager Wei sent a message that she was also at the banquet, so the two of them came for Qin Jihuang, so it was inevitable It takes a confrontation.

Although the Empress Dowager Wei has not summoned her, but she has listened to the government behind a curtain for many years, how can she not know about the state affairs and the world situation?How can he tolerate the woman who was exchanged for the city of Qin to enjoy the years?

The palace banquet was also a confrontation between light and darkness.

But according to Qin Jihuang's temperament, tonight's excitement...

Once back to "Hanqing Palace", Chu Huaimin immediately called Chen Hao, and listened to the instructions, Chen Hao nodded and went to do it immediately.

When night fell, Qin Palace was shrouded in moonlight.

There is no corner, two shadows pull.

"Impossible! This is a serious crime of deceiving the emperor. This old slave dare not do such a thing! No matter how much money you have, it will be useless if you lose your life!"

"What are you afraid of? I have heard that the King of Qin is kind. He will not embarrass his subordinates for such a trivial matter. When the time comes, just do what I say."

"But……"

"Come on, I'll give you another thousand taels, why don't you?"

"...How do you know that the king will not attend in an open and aboveboard manner?"

"There are so many reasons, just go ahead and do it. If you do it, the eldest princess will reward you."

"Let the old slave think again."

"What are you thinking about? You can earn money that you will never earn in your life. You can easily earn it by completing a small task. Why don't you do it?"

"……Dry!"

Half an hour later, the night was dark, and everyone gathered for the palace banquet.

On the way, the two met each other. Li Shizhou fixed his eyes and saw that the visitor was dressed in white clothes like a moon, and his temperament was dusty. The veil could cover his face, but it couldn't cover his innate luxury.

"It's such a coincidence that I met Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess here."

"Female phase."

"It's better to come early than to come early. Can you accompany the eldest princess?"

"Huaimin can't wait for it."

The two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes were clear and bright in the night.They accompanied each other all the way, chatting harmoniously.

"Is the Ninth Prince alright?" Chu Huaimin was still concerned.

"Okay, that guy can take a beating, eat, drink, sleep, and kill anger." Li Shizhou said, and couldn't help but smile.

Chu Huaimin also smiled lightly: "My daughter spoke ill of the Ninth Prince in front of me, so she must have a good relationship with the Ninth Prince."

"Well, yes, it's very good." Li Shizhou looked at the palace wall. At that moment, she seemed to see three children climbing the wall and playing together. We grew up together as brothers and sisters, and we have experienced so many things in these years, we have already become a family."

"A lifetime relative?"

"Yes, relatives and confidants."

"It's rare to have a confidant in life, Huai Min is really envious."

"You are still young, the rest of your life is still long, and you will always meet a confidant who understands you."

I hope so.Chu Huaimin pursed his lips and smiled, because the woman said "confidant", thinking of the time when she was in Chu State, that man pretended to hold her hand and utter nonsense:

"The ministers regard the eldest princess as a beauty, and the eldest princess should also regard the minister as a confidant."

There is no sincerity in a confidante, it's just a conspiracy.

Chu Huaimin looked at those red bricks and green tiles and the high and deep palace walls, it seemed that she had been trapped here, like a cage, but moved from one place to another.

Song Rong was the first to come to the palace banquet, and entered the palace before it was dark, sitting in the palace from day to night, watching one after another, but the girl in red holding the jade fan was never seen.

After all, he was not in his own country, Song Rong suppressed his impatience, and showed the demeanor of a king, looking calm and relaxed, but the corners of his eyes glanced at the way he came from from time to time.

However, after a long time, the important person in the banquet is still coming.

The Ninth Prince was unable to attend due to injury, King Qi did not know where he was, and even the most honorable person did not show up for a long time, but instead, Chu Huaimin and the woman beside her came.

Wearing a veil, Chu Huaimin couldn't see his face, but his eyebrows and eyes were also very good-looking, which attracted other people's eyes, but the woman next to him glanced at him calmly, and whoever met him would not bow his head.

"Huaimin, you're here too." Song Rong hurriedly got up and went over.

Chu Huaimin nodded, and was about to introduce Li Shizhou when Song Rong asked first:

"Who is this?"

"My daughter-in-law of Qin State, Li Shizhou." Li Shizhou bowed briefly, "I have met King Song."

"You don't need to be polite to a female minister." Song Rong smiled a little, "I have heard about it for a long time. The female minister of Qin State is versatile in both civil and military affairs. Look, it's really extraordinary."

"The King of Song praises it absurdly, and the ministers are ashamed." Li Shizhou cupped his hands.

"A woman deserves her name, there is no need to be modest."

"Please take a seat, King Song." Li Shizhou made a gesture of invitation.

"Please, lady."

Several people exchanged pleasantries, and after taking their seats, Song Rong turned around and asked, "Huaimin, have you seen Qin Jihuang? Why hasn't he come yet?"

Chu Huaimin shook his head, and Song Rong was lost. Seeing Li Shizhou at the side, he asked again: "May I ask Prime Minister Li, the daughter of King Qi, do you know him?"

Li Shizhou smiled meaningfully: "Of course the ministers know each other."

Song Rong was overjoyed, and hurriedly asked again: "Then can she come to the banquet tonight?"

Li Shizhou said: "I will come."

"That's good, that's good." Song Rong breathed a sigh of relief.

Chu Huaimin just listened with lowered eyes, and didn't talk to others until Chen Hao came, and whispered back: "Princess, everything is properly arranged."

Following the fall, the attendant said, "The queen mother is here!"

Chen Hao stepped back quickly, Chu Huaimin took off his veil and stood up, bowing his head with everyone.

Outside the hall, the Empress Dowager Wei, dressed in a phoenix robe, stepped onto the red carpet, her majestic appearance, unstoppable momentum, approaching every step of the way.

Wei Si caught sight of Fang Chu Huaimin, because she lowered her head and couldn't see clearly, her brows were frowned, her gaze flitted, and it fell on Song Rong's uplifted face, and she met her gaze across the air.

"All gentlemen, please take your seats." Wei Si raised her hand.

"Thank you, Empress."

"Little Wang Song Rong, I have met Queen Mother Wei." Everyone sat down, but Song Rong saluted respectfully, still standing with a slight smile.

"Why doesn't King Song sit down?" Wei Si asked while standing under the steps.

"Xiao Wang dare not."

"Why?"

"Before King Qin arrives, Xiao Wang... really dare not sit down."

The words were measured and there was nothing wrong with them, but they were obviously thorny. Although Song Rong was respectful, he did not obey the Queen Mother Wei's words.

This also implies the current situation of Qin State, the mother is strong and the king is weak.

Just this one sentence, overtly and secretly, is a good way for mother and daughter to sow discord and scheming.

Seeing Li Shizhou shaking his head, Chu Huaimin felt a palpitation in his heart, glanced at Song Rong, and thought to himself that after all, he was young and frivolous.

"Is the King of Song really not going to sit down?" Wei Si asked again with good intentions.

"It's not time yet, and King Qin didn't come, how dare Xiao Wang sit first?" Song Rong cupped his hands.

"That……"

Wei Si hesitated, turned around and walked up to the highest position, sat down politely, raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Your Majesty is unable to come here today because of the wind and cold, since King Song likes to stand, let him stand."