The Way of the Consort

"Doesn't the princess like consorts?"

"Like it……"

"Then why is the princess—" Qing Jin wondered.

After leaving the palace, Princess Fuchen sat in the carriage, looked at the maid's puzzled expression, smiled, and said nothing.

Qing Jin thought for a while, then asked: "Princess, do you still miss Mr. Pei Lang..."

Pei Rong?

A face quickly flashed in Fu Chen's mind, this face she had remembered for two lifetimes.

At the age of 16, on the anniversary of her mother's death, she went to Dabaoen Temple to pray and light lamps for her mother. She did not put on a princess guard of honor, but brought maids and guards.The princess came in person, so naturally no one else was allowed to enter the temple.

After she prayed, she wandered around the mountain behind the temple, and a deer in the forest ran out.Little deer is familiar with people, so it's not scary, she even feeds the little deer, but that day the little deer went crazy and bit her skirt.The guards were all at the foot of the mountain, no matter how tempted the maids were, they couldn't lure the deer away, and she was almost bitten off the cliff by the deer biting the corner of her skirt.

Later, it was Pei Rong who jumped from the tree to save her.

In fact, it was a very clichéd encounter. Pei Rong was abducted by Huazi since he was a child. He was originally a little beggar, but was picked up by a master. He never became a monk. He has been raising deer in the mountains and rarely appeared in front of people.If she hadn't been in danger, Pei Rong would never have jumped off the tree to show her face.

Qing Jin whispered: "Princess, the son-in-law is better born than that Mr. Pei Lang, and his family background is good, so he will treat you well..."

Fu Chen smiled lightly, yes, Ji Zhao is the best-looking man he has ever seen, Pei Rong is completely incomparable to Ji Zhao in terms of appearance, family background and knowledge, how many people in the world can compare Ji Zhao.

But she still only likes Pei Rong.

In her previous life, she had looked for Pei Rong, and because of this, she turned against the emperor brother who drove away Pei Rong for a while.

She searched for her whole life, but she didn't find Pei Rong when she found death. Instead, before she died, Ji Zhao told her that he found Pei Rong and killed him.

She doesn't know if it's true or not, so let's take it as fake.

In this life, she will never look for Pei Rong again.

She is a princess, and he is just a commoner in the mountains. They have no possibility in the first place.

In this life, let Pei Rong live happily and freely in a place she doesn't know, just like those fawns he raised.

The corners of Fu Chen's eyes were a little wet, but she quickly smiled again, and ordered: "Go and invite the son-in-law over, we will have dinner together tonight."

Qingjin happily answered "Yes".

Ji Zhao and Zong Yan made an appointment to go fishing together on the lake. When the fish they caught were fresh, they would directly stew milky white fish soup to eat hot mutton.

As a patient, how could I dare to eat these before?He used to be very envious of others having picnics and picnics, but now that he can finally do this, isn't it also the same as picnics?He really hangs out with Zongyan brothers all day long these days, he has never had any friends.

The old ancestor had a high temper, and seemed to be friends with everyone, but in fact he had no real friends, so that when he recalled it, he could hardly find anyone he was familiar with.

After he came, Zong Yan took the initiative to make friends, which was really interesting in itself, and he quickly became good friends with Zong Yan.

At least, he thinks that he and Zongyan are already friends.

Going to a picnic with good friends, he had been looking forward to such a beautiful event for several days, and finally waited for this day, he got up early in the morning, picked out his favorite scented clothes, and finally waited until the same time, full of enthusiasm After leaving the house, wait for Zongyan and his guards at the agreed place.

They waited and waited but couldn't wait, and then the steward of Prince Zheng's Mansion apologized and rushed over, saying that the five young masters had been summoned by the prince to enter the palace.

Ji Zhao was very disappointed, but he couldn't compete with the prince.

He had no choice but to murmur a few words to the prince in his heart, not to look for someone sooner or later, but at this time.

The steward of Prince Zheng's Mansion smiled apologetically: "My son-in-law, before our young master enters the palace, he has repeatedly instructed him to invite his son-in-law out for a small gathering at a good time tomorrow or the day after tomorrow!"

Only then did Ji Zhao become happy again, and said directly: "It's getting cold, I plan to invite you fifth son to go to my Zhuangzi to rest for a few days. There is a hot spring there. Remember to tell him when your fifth son returns home."

"sure!"

Ji Zhao led people back to the mansion. On the way, Yin Ming rode a horse by the window and said, "Mr. Lang, it seems to be the carriage of Ji's mansion ahead."

Chen Xing lifted the curtain and took a look, then turned around and told him: "Sure enough, shall we have a few words?"

Ji Zhao hesitated a little, he was really unfamiliar, what should I say when we meet?

After hesitating, they were also spotted in front of them.

Soon, Ji Chongjin and Ji Chongyuan came directly, and Ji Zhao had no choice but to get out of the car.

Ji Chongjin, the son of Yulan who had always been slightly sad, seemed very happy, and said with a smile: "What a coincidence, I met my third brother here."

Ji Chongyuan turned his nose to the sky, hummed, and Ji Chongjin pulled his hand: "Give your third brother a salute!"

Ji Chongyuan bowed reluctantly: "I have seen the third brother..."

Ji Zhao could only smile and salute.

Ji Chongjin said again: "The eldest sister and the second sister are going to visit the little sister's house today. My fourth brother and I are off school, so we will drop by to pick them up."

Ji Zhao glanced at the carriage, guessing that the two younger sisters were inside.

Sure enough, Ji Chongjin followed up and said, "There are so many people on the road, it's hard for the two younger sisters to come down. Why don't we have dinner outside today? The White Crane Tower is not far ahead."

Ji Zhao wanted to agree, although he didn't really want to go.

But Ji Chongjin has been invited like this, so how could he not go.

Just at this time, Ku'er hurried over on his horse, got off his horse and said, "My son-in-law! The princess has sent someone to invite you to the princess mansion!"

Ji Zhao seemed to be dozing off and met the pillow, and immediately looked at Ji Chongjin with a "pity".

Ji Chongjin was full of pity: "Then we can only wait until next time." He added, "Please wait for us to greet the princess."

"Okay, okay!" Ji Zhao happily climbed into the carriage and left.

As soon as they left, Ji Chongyuan immediately "hummed" and said: "You just want to have dinner with him, do you think he is willing?"

"It's the princess who has an appointment..."

"Even if the princess doesn't have an appointment, he doesn't want to have dinner with us. Otherwise, why don't we see him go back to the academy for more than a month? He never comes to the house, but hangs out with the young master of Prince Zheng's mansion all day long. Hmph, we What is it—”

Ji Chongjin frowned, Ji Chongyuan just "hummed" a few more times, didn't say any more, turned around and the two got on the horse and went home together.

The eldest lady in the carriage heaved a sigh of relief, and the second lady said: "Sister, you are too afraid of him. Could it be that he really dares to bully us in front of elder brother and fourth younger brother?"

"That's not what you say."

"What else should I say? By the way, what did you secretly say to Sister Chen today?"

The eldest lady always knew everything about this younger sister, and said softly: "Sister Chen said that the palace is going to marry the crown prince to the crown prince."

The second lady's eyes lit up: "Is it true, which family's little lady is it?"

"I do not know either……"

"It's just the girls from the prime minister's house." The second lady looked at the eldest lady regretfully, "It's a pity that our family has a son-in-law, otherwise who is more suitable to be the crown princess than sister?"

The eldest lady blushed all over her face: "Don't talk nonsense, the concubine of the Zhou family can only be a good concubine! Besides, our girls from the Ji family cannot marry the royal family."

"Hey, how dare her Zhou family compare with our Ji family? So what if she can't marry the royal family, isn't the third brother married to the princess? Sister, I don't know what the prince looks like, the third brother should have seen it, he is the prince's brother-in-law , it is said that the prince looks very good, he—”

The eldest lady couldn't take it anymore, so she simply covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

On the contrary, Ji Zhao was more willing to get along with Princess Fuchen. It wasn't that he was admiring the high and stepping on the low, maybe it was the influence left by his original body. He was always a little uncomfortable with the Ji family.

Princess Fuchen was different, she was beautiful and kind-hearted, and the two of them ate and chatted together, which was very pleasant.

"Now, everyone in Beijing knows that the pears and ginkgo fruits from the son-in-law's family are very valuable. I heard that there are countless people waiting to buy one with silver every day."

Ji Zhao laughed out loud, it was true, a few days ago, people really came to the door every day wanting to buy some.

"I entered the palace today and tasted it in my elder brother's palace. The stewed water is really sweet."

"As long as the princess likes it! This year's fruit has been picked, and I will send it to the princess next year!"

Fu Chen smiled and shook his head: "I don't need it, you give it to my brother, and if my brother feels good after eating it, I will be the happiest."

Ji Zhao didn't say any more, and had already made plans for next year in his heart.

For more than a month, although he didn't stay overnight, as usual, he would come to the princess for a meal every five or six days, and he was used to it.

So after dinner, the two sat down and drank two cups of tea, chatted for a while, and then Ji Zhao wanted to say goodbye and leave.

But Fu Chen put down the teacup, glanced at him, and said slowly: "My son-in-law, stay here tonight."

Ji Zhao froze, staring at her with wide eyes.

Fu Chen couldn't help but chuckled softly, and quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

Ji Zhao came back to his senses, embarrassed, and smiled awkwardly.

Fu Chen said softly: "Don't think too much, son-in-law, it's just like the night of our wedding."

Only then did Ji Zhao let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, and Fu Chen laughed again.

In the evening, after the two of them had washed and washed early, the maids all smiled and retreated out, closing the door for them.

Ji Zhao moved the screen again and put it between the bed and the Arhat bed. Ji Zhao lay on the Arhat bed, unable to sleep.

He could tell that Princess Fuchen was not asleep either.

After a while, Fu Chen asked in a low voice: "My son-in-law, have you ever fallen asleep?"

"Never..."

"Today, when I went to the palace, my brother asked me why I didn't keep you overnight."

Ji Zhao was a little nervous and asked, "What does the princess say?"

Fu Chen smiled and said: "I said I haven't adapted yet. Brother-in-law, my brother is very good. I'm afraid you don't know, it was my brother who said hello and personally appointed you to be my son-in-law."

Ji Zhao really didn't know, Fuchen continued, "Brother said you are kind-hearted and good-looking."

Ji Zhao felt embarrassed, would the crown prince really praise him so much?If you think he is so good, why do you want to kill him?

Fu Chen continued to talk about how her brother praised Ji Zhao. The original intention was to let Ji Zhao know his brother's goodness and spare his life in the future.

Ji Zhao listened, and suddenly asked, "Princess, is there anyone you like?"

After asking, he wanted to slap himself.

As expected, Fu Chen was stunned for a moment, and then asked back: "Why does the son-in-law ask like that?"

"I'll just ask, just ask."

Fu Chen smiled, and suddenly said: "So what if it exists, so what if it doesn't exist."

"If there is, the princess must of course work hard to be with him, why bother with me—"

Fu Chen hesitated for a longer time before he said calmly: "I am a princess..."

Is the identity of the other party too mismatched?Ji Zhao could sense that her mood had suddenly dropped, so he didn't ask any more questions.

Fu Chen smiled again and said: "I have already said this, please tell Fu Chen honestly, does the son-in-law also have someone he likes?"

Ji Zhao quickly shook his head: "I really don't have one!"

Fu Chen laughed a few times, and didn't continue the chat with him. Is this the end of the "dorm night chat"?

Princess Fuchen fell asleep later, and Ji Zhao could hear her steady breathing, but he was tossing and turning.

Because he suddenly discovered that he could have another life.

Since the princess has someone she likes, can he find this person, whoever loves to be her son-in-law should go, and he can just leave?Wouldn't it be better to release him back to the mountains and live a happy life than trembling in Jinling City as a dying son-in-law?

In Prince Zheng's mansion, the two brothers sat opposite each other again.

It was still Zongyan who spoke first: "Brother, what does the prince mean today? Why did you ask us to bring that set of books to the fourth brother?"

Zong Mi was also thinking about Zong Zhen's words.

Zongzhen called Zongyan into the palace today, and it was one thing to inform them that they had to return to the fiefdom.

Their brothers had already guessed that the day to return to the fiefdom was just around the corner. In the past, when Zong Yan came to the capital, he only stayed for more than a month before going back.

In addition to this incident, Zongzhen mentioned Zongyu.

Zongyu and the two brothers are not from the same mother, Zongyu's mother is the side concubine of his father.This side concubine is a standard mother who is expensive according to her son, because her clan language is extremely intelligent, she can read very well since she was a child, and she was very loved by her father and king, so she became a side concubine from a concubine.

Zong Mi and Zong Yan really didn't take this brother seriously in the past. Even though the relationship between the father and the concubine was weak, they loved Zong Yu even more. Canonized Jinling nodded, the grandfather's family is still in Jinling, the title of son can only be his, and the title of another prince in the palace can only belong to the clan, and it is useless to know how to study the clan.

However, Prince Zongzhen mentioned Zongyu today.

Zong Mi was not sure who the Crown Prince Zong Zhen was. The reason he came to Jinling secretly this time was to inquire about the Crown Prince secretly.However, the prince is too low-key and rarely shows up in front of people. So far he has not found out anything, and he has not been able to meet.

But the matter of clan language must not be left alone.

Even if Zong Zhen deliberately picks on their brothers, he can only get into the trap, and he cannot allow any dangerous gaps to appear around him.

"Brother, say something!" Zong Yan was anxious.

Zong Mi came back to his senses and said with a smile, "It's okay..."

"Is it all right? What does the prince mean? Do you think that the fourth brother is good and you want to reuse him?"

Zongyu was not powerful enough to be reused at all. Perhaps it was just that the higher-ups wanted to take back the imperial power. Their Prince Zheng's Mansion was already the last prince of this dynasty, and also the only hereditary prince who had been replaced, holding real power in their hands.

Even if there is no destiny for the throne in this life, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, free and at ease, who is willing to surrender power?

Zong Yan was so anxious that he got up and kept walking back and forth, Zong Mi thought about it carefully, raised his head and comforted him: "Brother is here, don't be afraid."

Even if they want to jump into the trap, they have to choose the way to jump, don't they?

Even if Zongzhen knows that Zongyu is good at reading, there are more things that Zongzhen must not know.

Zong Yan was really relieved, smiled for a moment, and frowned again: "We are leaving Jinling tomorrow, so we can't have a fish and sheep feast with Ji Zhao anymore? He also said that he would invite us to play at the hot spring village. I promised him everything."

The faint smile on Zong Mi's face was also taken aback.

Zong Yan lay down on the table, listless: "The next time I come to Jinling, it will be next year—" Zong Yan looked up at him again, "Brother! I can come next year, but you can't! The prince found you , you can no longer pretend to be a guard! Then you will never be able to see Ji Zhao again?!"

"... "

Zong Yan sighed: "Brother, you are so pitiful!"

Zong Mi gritted his teeth secretly, and said in his heart: Thank you for reminding me, dear brother!

but--

It would indeed be a pity in life if I could never come to Jinling again in this life, and never see such a pure and interesting person as Ji Zhao.