miscalculation

Ever since Xiao Cheng was imprisoned, there has been no peace in Prince Zhao's mansion, and Princess Zhao Gu Jinghua even ordered the door to be closed to thank guests.For the past few days, she has been staying at her natal family, the General's Mansion.Seeing her worrying day and night, Gu Zhao couldn't help persuading her: "This matter is quite strange, but there is still room for maneuver. My daughter doesn't need to worry too much."

"Father, how can I not worry about you? My daughter finally got into the prison, but I didn't expect the prince to keep silent. He only asked me to discuss countermeasures with you. Everything is up to you. I wanted to go to the palace to inquire, but he But he told me not to enter the palace, so as not to fall into someone else's trap." Gu Jinghua said, and then began to sob faintly.

Seeing his daughter's miserable expression, Gu Zhao sighed: "King Zhao acted too impulsively, how could he behave like this, especially killing a slave, it really shouldn't be!"

"No, I have already asked the prince, and he said that he did not kill the slave, but was framed by others."

"Jinghua, you are still too naive. Your Majesty has solid evidence for this kind of thing. I have already sent someone to ask secretly. Although Xiaoliu and Siyue are dead, they both found Zhao Wang's letter in their residence. Even if the letter is fake, who in the palace can have such ability? Si Yue is nothing, after all, the third prince is missing, the seventh prince has been sick for days, and it is unknown if someone sneaks in. But Xiaoliu is four People around the prince, if someone sneaks into the Xiaoyue Pavilion and secretly releases the letter, how can they hide it from the eyes and ears of Ningxin Palace? Concubine Lan Gui is not a cheap lamp." Gu Zhao shook his head again and again.

"Perhaps Concubine Lan Gui sent someone to release the letter secretly, so that the second prince can be blamed and the fourth prince's grievances cleared." Gu Jinghua was anxious and said casually.

"The Fourth Prince has always been on good terms with the Seventh Prince, and the Seventh Prince is also on good terms with the King of Zhao. Logically, the Lanxin Palace should favor King Zhao, so how can we blame him? Unless..." Gu Zhao's thoughts turned back and forth for a while. He hesitated again.

"Father, unless what? Tell me quickly!" Gu Jinghua asked quickly.

"Unless Lanxin Palace and Taifu Yin have decided to support the fifth prince from now on, after all, they have already accepted the future princess of Yue as a righteous daughter. Who knows that the relationship between the king of Yue and the fifth prince is very close! Speaking of which, their wind direction in the past was really different. Obviously, but last time when the court was discussing the crown prince, the old man felt strange when Taifu Yin helped the fifth prince to speak. Now it seems that Yin Zhonglin had already made up his mind at that time." Gu Zhao stroked his beard lightly, thoughtfully.

"Father, if this is the case, it must be Concubine Lan Gui who framed the prince, please think of a way."

"In fact, this matter is not without a turning point. Although the letters in the two maids' rooms were found, they committed suicide on the spot when His Majesty questioned the case. It is really suspicious, and it can even be said that there is no proof of death. What is released now is about Zhao Wang's behavior. Irregularities, forcing the palace maid to death, never mentioning the matter of searching the third prince and putting his jade pendant into the hands of Jiao Nu, and even using the seventh prince to investigate the Huanong Pavilion and frame the fourth prince, etc., all of which were not mentioned. It can be seen that His Majesty must have doubts in his heart. The ministers in the court who know the inside story, apart from Meng Guangbin, Minister of Dali Temple, are probably only fathers, Taifu Yin and Taishi Ji. It seems that His Majesty intends to let us know the inside story, but I don't know what the intention is Now that the fourth prince was framed for redress, the Yin family must be terrified. In the short term, the Taifu and Ningxin Palace will definitely stand by and watch, not daring to act rashly. After careful calculation, the fifth prince will benefit the most from this matter, so it is the most suspicious. Taishi Ji I am afraid that His Majesty is in control of every move of Chuxiu Palace now, and he must be very careful to avoid making mistakes."

"Daddy, should we just stand still like this?" Gu Jinghua felt reasonable after hearing Gu Zhao's analysis, but he didn't want to just sit and wait like this.

"A few days ago, I heard the battle report from the front line, and there was some commotion in the Dian Kingdom. They repeatedly used strange tactics and forced our army to retreat for [-] miles. Although Ji Ze has many military exploits, he actually wrote a letter to ask his father for help this time. Although he is defending well now It's quite strict, and it's hard to guarantee that there will be any inappropriateness in the future. This time, His Majesty intends to let me go into battle against the enemy. Presumably, the decree will come down after a few days. Don't worry, Dali Temple has already taken care of it for my father. In the past few days It is not a problem for you to go to see King Zhao, but you must not act rashly. Since His Majesty is determined to find out, he will not let King Zhao be wronged in vain. Otherwise, even if King Zhao has not done anything, if His Majesty has doubts in his heart, it will be considered nothing. It’s like it’s been done.”

"Father taught you the right thing." Gu Jinghua had no idea at this time, hearing what his father said was very reasonable, so he had no choice but to obey.

Seeing that Xiao Qian's wedding was approaching, the Banlin Pavilion was very lively, not to mention people from all the palaces coming to give gifts and congratulations, and there were also some court ladies and eunuchs watching the excitement, disturbing Xiao Qian's mind.He wanted to relax, so he dispatched the accompanying palace servants, wandering alone, restless, and unknowingly walked outside the Qingcan Palace.

Unexpectedly, Eunuch Zhang was standing outside the door, with the Holy Majesty's chariot parked beside him.When Xiao Qian saw him, he knew that it was Xiao Yi who came to visit Xiao Jue, so he didn't dare to go forward, just about to turn around and leave, only to hear Eunuch Zhang salute behind him: "The front is His Royal Highness the King of Yue?"

Xiao Qian knew that he had already seen him, and if he left on his own, his father might find out, so he could only turn around and say with a smile: "Eunuch Zhang, is your father coming to visit fifth younger brother?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty came to visit the King of Qi. Because His Highness's wedding is approaching, and you and King Qi have been close since childhood, it seems that His Majesty intends to allow King Qi to leave Qingcan Palace in advance."

Eunuch Zhang had told this out of good intentions, thinking that Xiao Qian would be happy about it, after all, everyone knows that among the princes, the two of them have the best relationship.Unexpectedly, Xiao Qian shook his head instead, and said: "As a prince, the fifth younger brother should have restrained himself and returned to the courtesy, but it is a big mistake to take the seventh younger brother to a place like Huanong Pavilion. The concubine Chen punished him The three-month confinement was a matter of course, but the emperor was kind enough to change it to two months, and now for the sake of this king, allowing him to come out earlier is really pampering him."

Xiao Qian originally thought that it would be best for Xiao Jue not to see his wedding in person, but he didn't expect that his father would let him go out early, and he was a little worried in his heart, for fear that Xiao Jue would cause trouble at the wedding banquet.

"Jue'er, did you hear these remarks? If I had known that your elder brother is so sensible, my father should not have let you out of this Qingcan Palace." get out.

Xiao Qian knew that he had heard what he said just now, so he knelt down and said, "Father, forgive me! My son didn't know that Father was here, so there were so many disrespectful words just now."

"Hahaha Ban Lin, you should apologize to your fifth younger brother, why did you admit your mistakes to the emperor?" Xiao Yi said and helped Xiao Qian up.

"Father, I think what Eldest Brother said is true, why not stay in Qingcan Palace and come out after the two-month period expires." Xiao Jue bowed his head and said respectfully.

"Just now you begged me to let you out as soon as possible. You didn't want to miss your elder brother's wedding. Why did you change your mind now? Haha, I have already given you permission to leave the Qingcan Palace. If you still want to live in it, that's up to you." " Xiao Yi said.

"Father, you are not joking, since you let the fifth younger brother out, how can you let him go in again after letting the fifth brother out for a while. I also hope that the father will forgive the reckless nonsense of the son." Xiao Qian said again hastily.

"Could it be that you two brothers are at odds? This is really strange. I remember that you have never had a quarrel since you were a child. Why do you look so different now?" Xiao Yi frowned and asked.

"Father, now it's not like when I was young. My son is going to get married soon. Naturally, he can't play around with his fifth younger brother like he was when he was young. Otherwise, wouldn't it be inappropriate? As for the quarrel, it really didn't happen before. My son is just fine. It’s a matter of fact.”

"Forget it, Jue'er will go to a place like Huanong Pavilion. It must be because several of the emperor's brothers all have imperial wives. Jue'er, I have agreed with your mother and concubine last time to choose Dong Xiaolin's daughter as your good friend." Match, let's make a decree to grant marriage some other day."

"Father! My son thinks...it's too early for this matter, it's better to discuss it in a few years." Xiao Jue said hastily.

"Are you really not in a hurry? Hahaha, how could Jueer's father not know what is on Jue'er's mind? Is it because you are afraid that you will be arrested if you have a princess? Forget it, I will give you a few maids in another day, and we will talk about the marriage in the next year." Xiao Yi With a big laugh, he rode on a chariot and left.

Xiao Jue and Xiao Qian saluted one after another, respectfully sending Xiao Yi away.Xiao Qian didn't wait for Xiao Jue to speak, he said: "Congratulations to the fifth younger brother for becoming the King of Qi. Please tell Concubine Shu that I have received the things."

After Xiao Qian finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave, but was grabbed by Xiao Jue.

"Let go!"

"Brother... Don't you want me to go to the Yue Palace to congratulate you on the wedding day?"

"Do not want to."

Xiao Qian pulled back his sleeves and left, but he never looked back, leaving Xiao Jue standing there alone in a daze.