The Way of the Consort

Until Xiaonian, Ji Zhao hadn't gotten out of bed yet.

On New Year's Eve, according to etiquette, Ji Zhao wanted to enter the palace for a banquet with the princess. Since he was sick, it was difficult for him to go.

The royal family is different from ordinary families. On these festive days, the palace has to hold banquets. The clan and dignitaries have to enter the palace to have banquets. It is a rule, and these things will not be stopped just because Ji Zhao is in bed.

Even Princess Fuchen had to enter the palace. After all, many wives from inside and outside the palace visited the palace that day. The status of the concubine Qin was not enough, and the status of Zhou Liangdi in the East Palace was even less. .

Fortunately, Princess Fuchen has experienced these things since she was a child, so she is familiar with them.

Banquets are divided between men and women, with men in the front hall and women in the harem.

This kind of banquet is basically where the emperor and Princess Fuchen show their faces, say a few words on the occasion, move a few chopsticks, and then they can go down, so that the rest of the people can talk and eat freely.

It's the same today, Renzong drank three glasses of wine, then took the people away first, leaving the place to the courtiers.

He returned to Yanfu Hall, drank half a cup of tea, rested for a while, thought of the son-in-law, and asked, "Is the son-in-law still not well? Are you still lying on the bed?"

Xiang Sheng should be.

Renzong sighed, he still doesn't know what happened in the East Palace that day, his son kept silent, and he couldn't bear to ask.

The queen left him two children, how could he be willing to be so worried before she died?

As long as he can give, he will give, because he is afraid that there is not enough for the child.

He asked again: "Is the princess living in the Hou's mansion these days?"

"Yes, the princess is very worried about the son-in-law."

Renzong sighed again. It was only natural for his wife to take care of her husband and son-in-law, but he also felt sorry for his daughter. After the banquet, he would definitely go to the son-in-law again when he left the palace.Seeing that the young couple are in a good relationship, Renzong is not only happy for them, but also secretly reluctant to part with his daughter.

He thought, after all, it was because there was no mistress in the palace, otherwise why would the daughter need to take care of these things in the palace?

He asked someone to call the prince over.

Zong Zhen did not show up at the banquet today as usual, when he heard that his father called him, he immediately went over.

When the father and son met, Renzong told him what he was thinking about: "Father knows that you don't want to marry the crown princess too early. The choice of the crown princess really needs to be discussed carefully. Fuchen is already married and has a husband's family to take care of— —”

Hearing this, Zong Zhen was already in a bad mood, and it was even worse.

Speaking of taking care of him, since Ji Zhao kicked Cheng Shen out that day, seeing that he had wronged Ji Zhao this time, he was patient and asked Bao Qing to go a few times the next day, bringing more Too many presents, but in the end, the door was not able to enter...

The day before yesterday, Cheng Shen went there again and finally delivered the things.

Who would have thought that just as the front foot was being pushed in, before Cheng Shen could even catch his breath, the object would be thrown out from behind.

According to Cheng Shen's own ears, someone asked anxiously at that time: "How can you throw away the things the prince sent you!"

The other party, mainly referring to Chen Xing, said with a bold smile, "What are you talking about? Look, what I'm throwing here is something from the crown prince? How dare you throw something from the crown prince!"

Cheng Shen even went to pick it up to have a look. In fact, they were the things they sent, such as ginseng, ganoderma lucidum, cordyceps, etc., but Chen Xing tore up all the labels of the inner court and threw them away. What came here... Even if you go to expose it later, they will find some ginseng and put it on the lottery of the inner court.

Cheng Shen came back with his things disheveled, Zong Zhen didn't show his face, and felt depressed for several days. These days, he just stood in the shooting range and drew his bow every day, and the arrows were shot "swoosh".

Renzong said again: "Father remembers that there is a good concubine in your palace, whose status is not enough, I want to make you a side concubine first, what do you think? If there are these things in the future, she can come forward to take care of them. "

Renzong knew very well that he only had one queen in his life, which didn't mean his son had to be like him.

Some people are as wholehearted as he is, and some people love that colorful.

This is a serious matter, Zong Zhen thought about it for a while, and without hiding it from him, he said: "Father, my son also has plans for this matter. In fact, as a side concubine, my son really has someone to choose."

Renzong was curious: "Oh? Who is it?"

"Qin Ru's fifth daughter."

Renzong thought about it, and remembered who it was. Qin Ru was the younger brother of Concubine Qin, who was repairing books in the Hanlin Hall. He had met her before, and she was an honest person. This little lady was Concubine Qin's niece.

"The Qin family is noble, so they can be worthy of the position of side concubine. Have you ever met someone?"

"There was a relationship."

The son was reserved, so Renzong thought that this should be his favorite woman, so he said cheerfully: "If it is a daughter of the Qin family, she should also be a concubine."

"The concubine is not in a hurry..."

Renzong didn't force him either.

In fact, Zongzhen's plan was because, after the new year, when the weather got warmer, he wanted someone to expose the Zhang family's affairs and get the whole Zhang family back.Qin Ru was inconspicuous and had no talent. He had a cousin, Qin Fa, who was born second in the list, because there was no one in his family, and it didn't matter. Now he is only a doctor in the household department, and he is a usable person.

In his previous life, Qin Fa saw that spending time in Beijing was nothing but a waste of time, so he asked to be released to Guangnan East Road. He started as a magistrate in a small and remote place, and he was recognized by the world based on his ability and achievements, and he was promoted to Guangnan within a few years. At that time, he wanted to transfer Qin Fa back to Beijing, but Qin Fa voluntarily stayed outside, saying that there were still many things to do.

It can be said that Qin Fa is a typical and rare official with ability, ambition and bottom line.

He planned to send Qin Fa directly to take Zhang Yifei's place and go to Zizhou as a transfer envoy.

However, Qin Fa is currently only a doctor, a sixth-rank Beijing official, and the Qin family is not very prominent. There is only a concubine in the palace. It is not enough to be sent out to be a third-rank official like this. Memorial, if he marries the Qin family's daughter in as a side concubine, it will be just right, and he will not fight with the princess's father in the future.

That's right, he has even arranged for the official position of the father of his future princess.

These will be his people in the future, a force to contend with those old prime ministers who control the government.

What's more, their family is also happy with Qin Taifei's intentions, so it's good for both parties to be happy.

He wanted to tell his father about Zhang's plans, but he knew that his father was not like him. He hadn't experienced a lifetime and couldn't see the true face of the Zhang family. He always wanted to speak for them, which was self-defeating.He pressed his mind, and it would be good to catch everyone by surprise when the time comes.

After discussing things here, Princess Fuchen also came, said a few words to them in a hurry, and then she left the palace.

Zong Zhen sent her off, the two siblings walked on the quiet palace road, the people around them were far away, Zong Zhen personally carried the lamp for her.

Fu Chen tightened his cloak, and said quietly: "Brother, don't be angry with the son-in-law, the son-in-law is really pure-minded."

In front of his sister, Zong Zhen naturally said: "I won't argue with him."

"Really?" Fu Chen looked at him sideways with a smile, and before he could speak again, he said, "Sister, I don't know what happened in the East Palace that day, so I can only guess that you guys had a misunderstanding, and this misunderstanding is still because of me. One side is the elder brother and the other is the son-in-law. It is really difficult for the younger sister to choose. The younger sister does not know, but they know that the son-in-law is the best husband-in-law in the world, and the elder brother is the best in the world, and also Fuchen's only elder brother."

Zong Zhen's eye sockets were slightly sour.

Fu Chen stopped and reached out to tug on his sleeve: "Brother, don't be angry with the son-in-law again, okay? The son-in-law is really good. Even for the sake of my sister."

Zong Zhen smiled lightly: "I've never been angry with him."

He was really not angry, Ji Zhao was probably angry with him now.

Only then did Fu Chen completely laugh, and asked him another matter: "Just now I heard Father mention the side concubine, brother is going to accept the side concubine?"

"Yes..." Zong Zhen didn't hide it from her.

In his previous life, from the beginning to the end, his elder brother only had one Zhou Liangdi and no children, Fu Chen had figured it out these days.She doesn't know what will happen in the future, but her brother is getting better and the son-in-law is getting better, so her life, the lives of all of them, the world will get better and better, won't it?

Fu Chen felt relieved, and didn't ask much about the side concubine, but said: "Older brother, tell me sooner after you settle down, I want to give you a big gift."

"Okay..." Zong Zhen's voice was slightly doting, and he sent her all the way to the gate of the palace.

On the way back to the East Palace, Zong Zhen still held the lamp by himself, thinking about his sister's words.

Once reborn, his greatest wish is only for his father and younger sister to be safe and happy.

Forget it, just like Fu Chen said, even for her sake.

Continue to think of ways to give gifts, and you have to give them if you don’t accept them.

Back in the East Palace, Zongzhen held up the lamp by himself, and took down the handwritten books written by Xiaoyaozi from the high bookshelf, and told Cheng Shen: "I will send it to the son-in-law tomorrow, and I will say that he will definitely like it, and I will definitely accept it if I don't accept it." regret."

Cheng Shen also admired their Highness's attitude of getting more and more courageous!All the things were thrown out and still had to be delivered, he immediately agreed.

Ji Zhao was indeed bedridden until he was about to grow mushrooms.

He thought he was in good health in this life, but he didn't realize that he was the flower in the greenhouse until he knelt for an hour and was drenched in the rain for an hour!Looks good, was protected and cared for by grandparents, uncles and aunts, and was carefully waited on by countless maids and servants.

His knees are still hurting, and he uses medicine and hot compresses every day. The imperial doctor said that in order to avoid future troubles, it may take three to five days before he can get out of bed.

Ji Zhao looked at the nine-nine-nine-nine-nine-nine-nine-nine-nine cold-dispelling picture hung on the wall by Chen Xing, and counted it. After three to five days, the year was over, how could he go out to play? This was his first year here.

However, he is now the key protection target, and even the princess lives here temporarily and comes to accompany him every day.

He was quite touched, the couples in physical marriage are still married to the noble daughter of the Tian family in this era, it is really not easy for the princess to do this.

But even so, he still didn't want to see the people in the East Palace. From then on, he and the prince were sworn enemies. What was that line called? Ji Zhao thought about it, yes, it was called "Death and life will never meet again!"

Ji Zhao was leaning on the bed, with the tattered Xiaoyaozi's book in his hand, and he could only think about these things in his mind.

Chen Xing came in and told him, "Lang Jun, Cheng Shen is here again."

"not see!"

"He said he brought something, Mr. Lang must like it, if you don't accept it, you will regret it."

"Hehe..." Ji Zhao didn't even raise his head, "Tell him to get out, and ask the prince to kill me if he has the ability, and stop bothering me if he doesn't!"

Chen Xing felt that this was a good way to say it. Anyway, he was a brave man, so he went out immediately and learned the original words for Cheng Shen to listen to.

Cheng Shen failed again, but Zong Zhen insisted on telling him the truth.

Cheng Shen had to learn it again, so the only way to prove his ability was to kill him?

Zong Zhen was so angry that he took deep breaths repeatedly, walked to the window, looked up at the blue sky, told himself everything was for his sister, not to care about Ji Zhao, not to care about Ji Zhao, and even read a short scripture, it was hard work Suppress this anger.

He opened the box and saw that the books inside were all the only ones in the world, so he really didn't want to send them to Ji Zhao.

However, thinking of the heavy rain that day, thinking of my sister's words, thinking of Ji Zhao's body, these books must be sent out, and His Royal Highness really came up with a way.

He called Cheng Shen to his side and gave some instructions in a soft voice.

Cheng Shen's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands: "You know it, little one!"

After finishing speaking, he hugged the box happily and left.

Zong Zhen was still standing by the window, the more he thought about it, the more he felt like a pig.

Ji Zhao was the one who was about to kill him with a knife.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was funny, he smiled and shook his head, turned around and walked outside to practice archery.

Since Ji Zhao's body is not yet fully recovered, no one has time to take care of other affairs, so He Qiniang has been living in the Hou's mansion.

Chen Keye inquired and inquired, but couldn't find any new news. Apart from being pretty, He Qiniang was just an ordinary girl. When she was three years old, there were too many daughters in her family and she couldn't afford to raise her. She was sold, and because of her good looks, she was taken back by the daughterless He family to raise her as a daughter. From then on, she lived in the He family until she got married and never left Pingjiang Mansion.

Want to ask more, He Qiniang is in the Hou Mansion, so it's not easy for him to ask.According to the prince's instruction, this matter is put aside for the time being, and we can talk about it after Ji Zhao's health is recovered and He Qiniang's affairs are settled.

The princess also has her own plans and arrangements in her heart, but she is also busy taking care of Ji Zhao, so she can't separate her mind for the time being.

Yin Ming is able to be Ji Zhao's long-term follower, so he is capable. This matter is not difficult and there is no clue. Yin Ming has long known that Ji Chongyuan harmed their husband!

However, Ji Zhao was sick in bed these days, and he didn't dare to say it, because he was afraid that his anger would make their husband's illness worse, so he had to hold it in his heart, not to mention how sad he was.

One day, Ji Zhao was sleeping on the bed. Xiaoyaozi had already finished reading all of his books, and he couldn't go out. Apart from sleeping, he couldn't do anything else, and he slept soundly.

Chen Xing was outside the screen, scolding Yin Ming under his breath: "You are the only one who is worthless! You can't even inquire about this matter!"

Yin Ming was in pain and couldn't tell.

Chen Xing put his hips on his hips and continued to scold: "You always say you are capable, why can't you find out? Tell me! If you don't tell me, I will tell Mother Wei to tell your mother to beat you!"

Yin Ming was helpless: "Stop saying a few words, my mother doesn't give me good looks these days."

"I'll just say it! You deserve it! Who told you that you're incompetent!"

Yin Ming was scolded and helpless, and with a little anger, he lowered his voice even lower: "Who said I didn't find out!"

Chen Xing's eyes lit up, and he approached him: "Then tell me!"

Ji Zhao drank the medicine before going to bed, and the medicine made him drowsy, so Chen Xing felt relieved to talk to Yin Ming.

But today, Ji Zhao had leg cramps in his sleep, and he broke out in a cold sweat. He woke up, and was about to call someone in, when he heard the chirping voices of Chen Xing and Yin Ming outside the screen. He just listened casually. Chen Xing scolded angrily: "What a Ji Chongyuan! It's in vain for our lord to treat him as a younger brother! Watch me settle accounts with him!"

"What are you doing! Keep your voice down! Don't go out!"

Ji Zhao shouted loudly: "Come in!"

The two of them were stunned for a while, and when they came in, they naturally told the matter honestly.

Ji Zhao was furious.

At dawn, someone really set him up, and it was Ji Chongyuan, a brat!