The Way of the Consort

After returning to the East Palace, Zong Zhen changed his clothes and planned to practice archery on the shooting range.

Before leaving the door, he stopped again, turned his head to look at Yuan Xin, his eldest maid, Yuan Xin didn't know why, so he bent his knees: "Does Your Highness have any orders?"

"You make me a purse."

It turned out to be this matter, Yuan Xin smiled and said: "Your Highness, the purses made by the servant girl are in the box. There are many of them! They are all embroidered with green bamboo and auspicious clouds in your favorite colors."

Zong Zhen shook his head, Yuan Xin didn't understand, and looked at him seriously.

Zong Zhen thought for a while: "You make a few honey-colored ones, embroider them with osmanthus branches and pine nuts, and make them cuter."

"Okay!" Yuan Xin still didn't understand, but he responded quickly without asking further questions.

"Hmm..." Zong Zhen then turned and went out.

The Yin family had a house in Jinling City, and Ji Zhao was the son-in-law after all, so it was difficult for them to live in Ji Zhao's mansion, so they went back to live in their own house.

Back in the city, it was getting late and the journey was tiring. After Princess Fuchen sent the person to her, she left immediately without disturbing her. She made an appointment to meet again in a few days. Ji Zhao didn't stay long, and he needed to go home too. Take a bath, wash away the dust, and then take a good rest.

After all, he is not the real Ji Zhao, no matter how good his grandfather and grandmother are, he is really close to him, and he is still used to living alone.

The old man Yin and the old lady disliked Ji's family very much, and they trained Ji Muzhi outside the city, but Ji Muzhi took two brothers with him, and wanted to send the two elders home with them.They didn't come out until Ji Zhao left. Cheap Dad seemed to be in a bad mood, but it wasn't because he was reprimanded by the old man. He nodded to Ji Zhao, got on his horse and left first.

Ji Chongyuan had nothing to say to Ji Zhao, since he was spanked by his mother, he has been very honest, and immediately followed his father.

On the contrary, Ji Chongjin stayed and said a few words to Ji Zhao, and asked him about his affairs in Guizhou. Ji Zhao just waited to say goodbye, and both sides said goodbye, but Ji Chongjin hesitated, as if he still had something to say.

Ji Zhao smiled and said, "Brother, if you have anything to say, you might as well just say it."

Ji Chongjin thought about it, and finally said: "In my father's study, there is a portrait of your mother hanging all year round."

Ji Zhao was taken aback, what does this mean?Everyone is gone, and I have failed, so why do I still want to play the role of a lover?

Ji Chongjin said again: "Only I have seen it. Later, my father didn't allow others to enter the study easily."

Maybe in this era, this is a kind of true love?It must be very impressive.

Ji Zhao just thought it was ridiculous.

But Ji Chongjin must have good intentions, trying to ease the so-called father-son relationship?Ji Zhao didn't want to show his face directly, so he nodded with a smile and said, "I also brought a lot of presents for my elder brother this time, and I will send them to you later."

He didn't want to say more, and Ji Chongjin didn't say anything, he just thought it was him talking too much.

He watched Ji Zhao leave before getting into his carriage and going home.

Ji Zhao returned home, took a good bath, and went to see his rabbit immediately after coming out.

Not seen for two months, his bunny has grown!The people in the mansion raised the rabbit very well. It was chubby, well washed, and had no smell at all. It was nested in a rattan basket. Ji Zhao fed it with vegetable leaves. The ground ate very happily, and Ji Zhao laughed even more happily than it ate.He lay on the couch to feed the rabbit, and Chen Xing stood behind him, helping him to wet his hair, talking to him from time to time.

Mother Wei brought people to hang calamus and mugwort leaves on the doors of each house, and the Dragon Boat Festival was just a few days away.

Ji Zhao asked, "Is there any news, when will Zongyan and the others arrive in Jinling?"

"We walked faster, but we also stayed in Jiangling for a few days and took a detour. Presumably they will be able to arrive in these few days."

Ji Zhao sighed, "I don't know how the palace will treat them after they arrive in Jinling."

"Surely he can still be a rich and idle prince? I've always heard that His Majesty treats people leniently."

"Your Majesty is lenient..." Ji Zhao had to admit this, and it was verified by history books and countless scholars. He himself had seen it with his own eyes, but the crown prince was not.

After returning from Guizhou, after seeing my grandfather, my grandfather was very angry because of those things in Guizhou.Of course, my grandfather knew about the eavesdropping that day, and my grandfather didn't hide it from him afterwards, saying bluntly that what happened this time was the work of the prince.

The grandfather said that the crown prince used his identity first, and secondly, he took advantage of Zong Mi's psychology and the internal conflicts of Prince Zheng's mansion, and finally managed this matter. From the very beginning, the crown prince wanted to take back the power of Prince Zheng's mansion, and wanted to be called King Zheng. Returning to the capital in one line, in addition to separating the relationship between the Yin and Ji families and Zheng Wangfu.

Ji Zhao knew that the prince was powerful. After all, he was an important figure in the history books, and he would kill him in the future, but he was still puzzled.Why did the prince just calculate everything?

The grandfather also said that the prince can't count everything, but if he makes a slight move in the important link, things will always go in the direction the prince wants.Probably because the prince's luck was better this time, the matter was done right away.

Ji Zhao still didn't understand, if that was the case, why did the prince still ask for favor and make Zongmi the county king.At that time, the whole court, up to His Majesty, and down to the common people all agreed that the prince should be expelled directly. Even if the prince wanted to hide his clumsiness, if he followed the trend at this time, no one would suspect the prince.

Grandfather then told him that this involved the prime ministers of the court, civil and military disputes, and the power of the prime minister and the imperial power. When he talked about it, Ji Zhao started to have a headache and wanted to sleep.The grandfather didn't continue talking, but looked at him lovingly and said, "It's good for our Brother Zhao to live as you think about it. Grandpa is there for everything. And your uncles, don't be afraid."

Ji Zhao looked at the rabbit's mouth eating vegetable leaves. Chen Xing was still talking to him, but he was already in a daze, thinking about what his grandfather said.

Of course he knew that the Yin family would do their best to protect him, and he was never afraid, but he couldn't always hide under the wings of his family. According to fate, the prince would kill him in the future, and he didn't want to harm the Yin family at that time.

But he really hates a life full of scheming, and he has no interest in power. It would be great if he could give up his status as a son-in-law and leave Jinling.

Ji Zhao sighed.

He believed in his grandfather's words very much, and he also saw how he was besieged with his own eyes. Those words of Zongyan are still in his mind. The prince is not a good person. Carefully apologized to him, and secretly gave him Xiaoyaozi's handwriting.

He also believed in his own instincts and heart.

People are complicated, each has their own position, there is no 100% good or bad, until the critical moment, he does not fully believe that it is indeed the prince who used him to harm King Zheng's family, he has his own judgment.

After thinking about this point clearly, the gloom that had shrouded Ji Zhao's head for many days finally dissipated.

The next day, people came from the underground palace early, and Xuan Jizhao entered the palace.

This was guessed a long time ago, when he was out on an errand, Renzong would definitely meet him, so Ji Zhao changed into his attire and entered the palace immediately.Seeing Renzong in the Yanfu Hall, Renzong asked a lot of questions. As for the prince who once told him that he would go out of the palace to explain a few things to the son-in-law, Renzong, who has always been informal, didn't care about it, and he didn't use it to talk to Ji Zhao. .

Renzong finally said with relief: "Sure enough, I have made a lot of progress this trip. I was worried about letting you go. It was the crown prince who suggested that you go. The crown prince is right. You should go out to practice more."

"..." Ji Zhao was stunned for a moment, so my grandfather was right, it was really the prince who asked him to go.

When he was stunned, Renzong smiled and said: "Your grandfather and grandmother are both in Jinling now. In a few days, come to the palace and the two families will have a meal together."

Ji Zhao immediately came back to his senses, and answered "Yes" with a smile.

Renzong really regarded them as family members, so he said such things.

As Renzong was talking, when he became interested, he asked Xiang Sheng to go to the Yin Mansion to invite people in. It won't be a few days, let's eat today!Ji Zhao sat and waited with him for someone from the Yin residence.Xiang Sheng came back quickly, but he didn't bring anyone back. He also brought back the bad news that Mr. Yin fell ill again!

Renzong was shocked: "Didn't you say that your body is well-raised? Can you see people?"

Ji Zhao was also a little scared, was it okay last night? !

Xiang Sheng lowered his head and said softly: "When I went to the mansion, I happened to see Mr. Ji at the door... I never entered the mansion, but I just heard what the people in the mansion said..."

This is about Ji Muzhi. Ji Muzhi also has a name in Bailu Academy, but he seldom shows up. People in the city respect him and call him "Sir".

What Xiang Sheng said was vague, but Ji Zhao understood it in seconds.

It must be because Ji Muzhi came to the door again, and the grandfather was so angry that he didn't want to see him, and he excused himself by saying that he was sick, not really sick.In fact, Ji Zhao said that the grandfather didn't want to enter the palace not because he was angry with Ji Muzhi, but because he was angry with the prince, and the grandfather didn't want to enter the palace to see the prince.

When Renzong heard this, he also understood, and said to Ji Zhao in a blink of an eye: "Brother Zhao, go to the East Palace, go talk to Brother Zhen, go home early after talking, and rest at home. After a few days, choose a good day. Then announce you to the palace."

"Yes..." Ji Zhao got up, turned and walked out, thinking, brother Zhen?Is it the prince?The prince's name is Zong Zhen?

After Ji Zhao left, Renzong asked Xiang Sheng to explain carefully, knowing that the old man Yin was angered by Ji Muzhi, he couldn't help sighing: "Oh, it's been many years, and the old man still can't let go. That's all, let's pass some days Come in for dinner again, bring some imperial doctors and tell the old man to take good care of himself, I am not in a hurry here, let Muzhi go home, don't guard the door, Lady Ying is gone, he I also married a new wife, so why bother?"

"Yes..." Xiang Sheng took the imperial doctor and left the palace.

Ji Zhao dawdled along the palace road. Renzong's words just now verified his grandfather's words, which made Ji Zhao's heart flutter to some extent. His grandfather guessed the beginning, and maybe he guessed everything else...

He doesn't want to see the prince at this time, his head is a little messy, and he needs to take a good look.

However, the Imperial Palace is only so big, no matter how hard it is, the Eastern Palace is not far away. He can see the ridge beast on the roof of the main hall of the Eastern Palace when he looks up, shining golden light, "Oh!" He sighed in his heart He breathed a sigh of relief, and walked into the gate of the East Palace as if he were dead, but the eunuchs in the East Palace were very attentive and led him to the main hall.

Zhou Liangdi was also unlucky today.

Zhou Liangdi has been in the Eastern Palace for several years, and she usually helps the Crown Prince with some affairs. After all, there are always some things that women need to do, but she is nothing more than that in the Eastern Palace. Everyone in the house knows that Zhou Liangdi seldom goes out, most of the time she stays in her own room, and has little contact with the outside of the East Palace. It is impossible for her to know when Ji Zhao will come back, and when Ji Zhao will enter the palace today. knew.

She took the maids to go to the Liushang Bureau to explain something about the Dragon Boat Festival. When leaving the East Palace, she had to pass through the main hall, so she bumped into Ji Zhao.

She had a bad heart, but Ji Zhao's eyes lit up.

What Ji Zhao thought was, if Zhou Liangdi could be with him, and he could just say a few words to the prince and then go back, that would be great!

Zhou Liangdi saluted hurriedly, didn't dare to smile, and was about to leave, Ji Zhao hurriedly smiled and said: "Liangdi, please stay!"

Zhou Liangdi's hands started to shake and she didn't dare to speak. Ji Zhao smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I met Liangdi! I just came back from Guizhou and paid my respects to His Majesty, and I will pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. Is His Highness here?"

"In..." Zhou Liangdi didn't dare to say a word.

Ji Zhao felt a little puzzled in his heart. When watching the fireworks last time, Zhou Liangdi was smiling and very talkative. We haven't seen each other for more than two months. How could Zhou Liangdi be like this?Just talking, why are the hands and legs shaking together? Could it be that they were tortured by the prince?

Yes, we haven't seen each other for two months, will the prince become more perverted?

Ji Zhao would not let Zhou Liangdi go.

When Ji Zhao entered the palace, Zong Zhen knew about it, and also knew that his father would definitely send him to the East Palace. He had already sent someone to guard the door. When Ji Zhao arrived at the door, someone had already run in to tell him.

He waited in the main hall for a while, but he didn't wait for Ji Zhao to come in, so he asked displeasedly, "Why doesn't the son-in-law come in?"

What are you dawdling about?Just don't want to enter the door of the East Palace?

Bao Qing took a look, and when he came in, he said cautiously: "Reporting to Your Highness, the son-in-law is talking to Zhou Liangdi..."

Zong Zhen sneered.

Bao Qing laughed "hehe": "Zhou Liangdi is going to the Liushang Bureau, so I happened to meet him."

"Call them both in."

"Yes……"

Ji Zhao and Zhou Liangdi came in together, Ji Zhao walked steadily, Zhou Liangdi wished she could pass out, her face was pale.

Ji Zhao saluted first, and then said honestly, "His Royal Highness, I'm back from Guizhou."

Zong Zhen ignored him, inside the bead curtain, he was looking at Zhou Liangdi who was shaking slightly with her head down.

The hall was silent, and Ji Zhao was a little embarrassed. After thinking for a while, he said, "I brought back a lot of novelty items during my trip to Guizhou this time. I brought them all, and I want to give them to His Highness." He looked at Zhou Liangdi who was beside him, saw her trembling, and tried to comfort her, so he smiled: "Zhou Liangdi, you also have yours."

Zong Zhen sneered, the voice was not loud, Zhou Liangdi didn't hear the prince's sneer, and felt that her eyes were dark, she staggered and staggered.

Ji Zhao completely subconsciously and instinctively reached out to help her: "What's wrong with you?"

Zhou Liangdi took a few steps back in fright, her legs were so weak that she fell directly to the ground, Ji Zhao opened his mouth half in surprise, and asked, "Zhou Liangdi, are you feeling unwell?"

Ji Zhao bent down to help her, Zhou Liangdi crawled to stand up in panic, avoiding Ji Zhao's hand, Ji Zhao also felt that it was inappropriate, ancient people paid great attention to this.Ji Zhao looked around, they were talking here, no one was left in the hall, even if they wanted someone to come in to help, Ji Zhao thought of the prince, Zhou Liangdi fell down, why didn't the prince say a word? !

Ji Zhao immediately looked inside the bead curtain: "Your Highness! Zhou Liangdi has fallen! Quickly ask someone to come in and help her up!"

Zong Zhen didn't speak.

Ji Zhao was anxious: "His Royal Highness?"

Zong Zhen finally spoke: "Zhou Liangdi fell, are you in a hurry?"

It does not make sense? !Ji Zhao just felt baffled, and wanted to restrain himself, but after hearing this sentence, he also became angry: "Should I not be in a hurry?!"

When a normal person sees someone fall, they will want to help, right? !

Angrily, Ji Zhao continued to reach out to help Zhou Liangdi, but Zhou Liangdi was so frightened that she shed tears, turned around and climbed up on the chair, and blessed the inside of the bead curtain: "Concubine, leave!"

After speaking, Zhou Liangdi stumbled and ran away immediately.

"Hey?!" Ji Zhao worriedly wanted to catch up and take a look, but Zong Zhen said coldly, "The son-in-law is really in a hurry."

What's the weirdness?

Ji Zhao stopped, walked back a few steps, walked in front of the bead curtain, and said angrily, "Your Highness, Zhou Liangdi is your woman after all, can't you be more considerate?"

It is not easy for women, especially women in feudal society.

Zong Zhen said, "As if you are considerate of Zhou Liangdi?"

"..." Ji Zhao endured it for a long time before saying "You are sick", because the crown prince is really sick, and it is not good to say such words, it is disrespectful and poignant.

Ji Zhao stood where he was, sulking, Zong Zhen fell silent inside the bead curtain.

After being angry for a while, Ji Zhao couldn't stay any longer, he saluted again reluctantly, and said sullenly, "In that case, Ji Zhao will leave first!"

"Stop..." Zong Zhen called him to stop.

"What else is there?" Ji Zhao was a little impatient.

Zong Zhen was even more displeased: "Is this how you talk to me?"

Ji Zhao endured it, couldn't help it anymore, and said dissatisfied: "I talked to you well, it was you who didn't like me! I didn't have any other ideas. I saw Zhou Liangdi fell and wanted to help her up! It was you who didn't know what to think." It's a mess! You think too much!"

Still want to plot against him!

When Zong Zhen heard these words, he only felt that his face was hot, and his heart was even heavier, as if he was being talked about.

Ji Zhao continued unconvinced: "Did I say something wrong? It's not easy for a girl, so why are you so mean! It's just that you don't look good to me, why do you have to be like this to Zhou Liangdi? To your woman Be better! You—"

"Shut up..." Zong Zhen was so angry that his heart ached and interrupted him.

"Shut up and shut up..." Although Ji Zhao said so, his face was full of disgust.

Zong Zhen looked at his disgusted face, lost all composure, and said coldly: "Back off..."

"Retire as soon as you leave, I'll get out!" Ji Zhao turned around and left after finishing speaking, "I can't wish for it! Who wants to come!"

Zong Zhen was so angry that he coughed hard, almost coughing up blood, Bao Qing rushed in and poured him tea, but he pushed him away, Bao Qing whispered: "Your Highness, the son-in-law is gone."

Zong Zhen gradually stopped coughing, raised his eyes, and looked at the place where Ji Zhao had been standing before.

After another moment, Cheng Shen came in and saluted: "Your Highness, the things sent by the son-in-law..."

Only then did Zong Zhen regain his senses, picked up the teacup and took a few sips of tea, suppressed his cough, and said softly, "Carry it to the study."

"Yes!"

The little eunuchs carried the box to the study, Zong Zhen went back to the study, told everyone to go out, and opened the box to look.

Bao Qing and Cheng Shen stood guard at the door, they discussed whether to call the imperial doctor, and finally decided that they should observe again, otherwise His Highness would be upset again.

Cheng Shen whispered: "It's really strange. His Highness is obviously worried about the son-in-law. He asked several times in the morning whether the son-in-law has ever entered the palace, and even sent someone to guard His Majesty. How could this happen?"

"how could I know!"

Cheng Shen continued: "In a few days, the dragon boat race will be held during the Dragon Boat Festival. Is the son-in-law going to watch it? I have already set up the shed. Your Highness has told me that I will personally go and watch the people build it. It is the best place."

"I don't know how long the two of them will fight this time!"

When Cheng Shen thought about it, he laughed instead, didn't he, like that awkward child.

In fact, Zong Zhen didn't know what kind of nerves he had developed.

Originally, I thought that when Ji Zhao came here today, I would like to talk to him about the affairs of Guizhou. I also wanted to hear Ji Zhao’s own words about the scenery on the road again. He complained, but he was still very obedient, and he also saluted obediently. He must have said a few words to coax him to show a smile.

He really liked seeing Ji Zhao smile.

Tell him about going to see the dragon boat, and he will be so happy that he can't find the north, he likes to play.

How could this be so.

Why are you arguing?

Zong Zhen frowned and took out a folding fan from the box to look at it. He was upset. Of course he knew that there was no wrongdoing between Ji Zhao and Zhou Liangdi, and Ji Zhao did not collude with Zhou Liangdi. .

Zong Zhen unfolded the folding fan to look, frowning, unable to figure it out.

He must still feel that Ji Zhao is meddling in his own business, how could he say something like "It's your woman anyway, so you can't be more considerate"?Zhou Liangdi is from the Eastern Palace, so what's the matter with Ji Zhao?What gift do you want Ji Zhao to give him?This is called spying on the East Palace.

Saying this, Zong Zhen saw a box of silk flowers in the box, which was for a woman, so he picked it up and wanted someone to throw it away.

After thinking about it, at least it was sent by Ji Zhao, and he kept it, and stuffed it into the deepest part of the box, out of sight, it would never be given to Zhou Liangdi anyway.

Zong Zhen looked out of the window, as if he could still see Ji Zhao's smiling face on the edge of the window under the melting moonlight.

Zong Zhen secretly sighed in his heart, that's all, he was wrong about this matter today, and it happened for no reason.

He asked Cheng Shen to come in, and said: "Go and tell the son-in-law that you will go to Mochou Lake to watch the dragon boat in a few days, and you don't have to come back and forth with me anymore."

"Yes!" Cheng Shen finished answering, went out and blinked at Baoqing, and immediately ran towards the palace gate.

Zong Zhen had already sat back at the desk and began to read the memorial, Zhang Yifei was about to move.

But there was always something on his mind. Zongzhen held the pen in his hand and couldn't write a word for a long time. He sighed helplessly, called Baoqing in again, and asked, "Has Cheng Shen come back yet? What does the son-in-law say?"

Bao Qing and Cheng Shen were worrying about what to say about this matter, the prince asked again: "Did you laugh?"

Still expect the consort to laugh? !

Bao Qing bent over and lowered his head, and said softly: "Reporting to Your Highness, the son-in-law said he didn't want to watch..."

"How do you say..."

Bao Qing had no choice but to learn from him: "The son-in-law said: "It's up to him to see it for himself! I won't! It's not a big deal!""

"..." Zong Zhen thought he would be very angry, but he found that he was not angry at all, and he had improved by not saying "come and kill me".

He could even think of Ji Zhao's tone and expression.

Instead, he sighed helplessly. After all, he was wrong this time. Let's find a way to coax him. However, His Royal Highness's coaxing skills are really poor, and he really can't think of it.