concubines

Qi Yunruo went out with Queen Mother Lan, and met many courtiers who came to see the emperor. Those people saluted Queen Mother Lan one after another. The Empress Dowager held Qi Yunruo's hand to stop, and the civil official kowtowed and said, "Chen Yuan seems to see the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Lan said with a smile to Qi Yunruo: "This lord is the elder brother of Concubine Yuan, and he is going to take the eighth concubine in the near future, Xiao Qi, you have to remember, go back to the palace and prepare a big congratulatory gift for lord Yuan." She then said to the shivering old man kneeling on the ground, "Master Yuan, don't forget to send an invitation to Prince Chun's Mansion."

Yuan Sidao was dripping with cold sweat and said: "The empress dowager is joking, how dare the officials disturb the prince with such a trivial matter."

Empress Dowager Lan disagreed and said: "What are you talking about? You are a second-rank official, and even the smallest things in your family are the big things of the imperial court. Don't talk about private matters or business matters. The Ai family doesn't like to hear it."

Qi Yunruo sneaked a glance at the old man, and felt that he was about to cry—Yuan Sidao was not the one who attacked King Chun most ruthlessly, but he was the one who first said that Princess Chun was imprisoned by King Chun, and King Chun treated Chun Wangfu hands-on.Queen Mother Lan said leisurely: "Xiao Qi, let's go drink tea."

"Yes." Qi Yunruo raised the corners of his lips, glanced at the middle-aged civil servant, and followed her. After walking a few steps, the Empress Dowager Lan turned around and said, "Master Yuan, is it the sixth or ninth day of the next month? The Ai family is old. I forgot."

With a "plop", Yuan Sidao fell to the ground.

Empress Dowager Lan Shi Shiran brought Qi Yunruo back to Ci'an Palace, Qi Yunruo couldn't help laughing out loud, but Empress Dowager Lan saw a figure from a distance and said, "Someone is here to pick you up."

Qi Yunruo also looked over, and seeing his prince rushing over to salute the Queen Mother hastily, he rushed over and hugged Qi Yunruo, Qi Yunruo embarrassedly said: "I'm fine, prince."

Empress Dowager Lan sighed, and said: "Sure enough, he is a married man. When he sees his sweetheart, he forgets his grandmother."

Li Chen took Qi Yunruo to his knees and said, "Today, my grandson thanked grandmother a lot." But Qi Yunruo was even more embarrassed by the words "sweetheart".

Li Chen met the emperor as soon as he came to court, and told about Xiao Qi's affairs one by one, and then the emperor drove him out, but called Xiao Qi into the palace. Li Chen didn't expect his grandmother to receive the news so quickly, and took Xiao Qi away When he came back, Qi Yunruo said: "My lord, I don't think His Majesty meant to embarrass me."

Once the emperor's reward comes, the civil servants' attack will fall apart, Qi Yunruo understands this, Qi Yunruo kowtowed to Queen Mother Lan again, "I also thanked Queen Mother, if it wasn't for you, I really had nothing to say at that time. "

Queen Mother Lan called the two of them to get up, and said: "The Ai family wanted to see you a long time ago, but they didn't have the chance. What the Ai family said in the Hall of Martial Arts today is what the Ai family thinks in their hearts."

Qi Yunruo remembered the phrase "With such a person by Chen'er's side, the Ai family can rest assured", he couldn't help but glance at Li Chen, and the Empress Dowager Lan smiled, "Have lunch at Ai's house before leaving."

Li Chen and Qi Yunruo naturally agreed, but when they were about to leave, Queen Mother Lan suddenly remembered something and asked, "What happened to the princess in your mansion?"

Li Chen was silent for a long time, Qi Yunruo said: "The princess was not imprisoned by the prince, but the princess took the initiative to ground herself, and the princess also chose the Thrushcross Courtyard for the two princesses as their new residence."

Empress Dowager Lan didn't ask any more questions, but said: "There is still the Qi family behind the princess."

In the afternoon, Qi Yunruo's rewards came into the government, including the intention to promote him. Qi Yunruo took over the new official uniform and winked at Li Chen.Li Chen also remembered what they had said about "heron" and "white pheasant", but now it was Xiao Qi who came to the front.

Today, the emperor never mentioned the matter of setting up a prince. A few years ago, there were ministers who advised the emperor to establish the country early, but that person was demoted by the emperor. Afterwards, no one touched this bad luck again, but since Li Chen returned from the northwest, King Qing, After King Yong went to the northwest again, no matter how stupid people are, they would know that these princes and princes have already started to fight for power and profit, and seek that seat—if the emperor appoints Li Chen as the prince, it is his silence that makes people think that the rest of the concubine Or the prince who is not a grown-up also has a chance. Now every grown-up prince has supporters behind him.

Qi Yunruo put away the imperial decree, Li Chen asked someone to invite the servant who issued the decree to drink tea, and entered the inner room with Qi Yunruo, Qi Yunruo said softly: "My lord, what do you think...does this mean anything?"

Li Chen looked at him with a smile.

Qi Yunruo looked at the Yuci Ruyi and the plum vase, and thought about where to put them. He suddenly remembered that Guanhe Tingzhou was almost expanded now, and felt a little disappointed. Should he offer to go back to live?But he really didn't want to leave the prince...

Li Chen said: "There is something I just want to tell you."

"Ok?"

"Si De's subordinates were all sentenced to be beheaded."

Qi Yunruo was stunned, and after a long time, he lowered his head and let out a "huh".

Li Chen said: "But one of them did not prevent you from leaving the customs, and because of his military exploits in the Northwest, he was pardoned for his death crimes and sent to the Southwest."

"It's Brother Acheng!" Qi Yunruo said pleasantly.

Li Chen looked at him with soft eyes, "If this person does not suffer from trouble, the imperial court and I don't mind if he lives well, Xiao Qi, I know you miss the old man, so I asked someone to build a house in the southwest, let them A family can be reunited, but after all, they are sinners, and the glory of the past will no longer exist."

Qi Yunruo said: "They will still live well, I am very grateful to you."

Li Chen reached out and brushed the soft hair on the back of his head, "You don't need to thank me."

If Qi Yun is rewarded, the atmosphere in the court will suddenly change. Qi Yunshan is currently working at the Yushitai, but now because of Qi Niqun, his perception of the Chun Palace suddenly drops. Fan, after Yushitai turned around, he went home and talked about it with his parents. Mrs. Zhao had always wanted to go to Prince Chun’s Mansion to find out what happened, but Qi Suxiao said: "The rumors in the market cannot be true."

Mrs. Zhao frowned and said, "But I think Qu'er must have suffered some kind of grievance."

Qi Suxiao said: "If you are worried, tell Erlang to go to Prince Chun's Mansion tomorrow."

Mrs. Zhao said angrily: "I am Qu'er's mother, and Shan'er is Qu'er's elder brother. Why does the master want to go with Erlang, who is not close to Qu'er? skirt."

Qi Suxiao said: "It is precisely because you and Dalang and Qu'er are the closest, a misunderstanding that might have caused you two to quarrel. Erlang is always from my uncle's house, and he does things properly."

Mrs. Zhao was still dissatisfied, Qi Suxiao stood up and said: "Now Uncle Ziyang's mansion, are you in charge or I in charge?"

Mrs. Zhao didn't dare to say anything more. During this time, Uncle Ziyang's temper was very bad. Even if she was an old married wife, she didn't have much face in front of Uncle Ziyang. Uncle Ziyang said: "I won't come tonight."

Mrs. Zhao's face turned pale all of a sudden, but today is still fifteen!In recent days, Uncle Ziyang bought a few skinny horses from outside, all of them are beautiful and colorful, and they can play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Uncle Ziyang specially found a small courtyard for them to live in, singing, singing and dancing every day. The two favored aunts have no place to stand, let alone Mrs. Zhao's old and decrepit original wife.

Mrs. Zhao got more and more headaches. Her daughter didn't give birth to a son, and her life in the palace became more and more unsatisfactory. There were rumors that the emperor and the queen were not happy with Princess Chun. If you win, you have to slowly work through your qualifications from the seventh-rank officer.

What she hates the most is the bastards born to those sluts. Aunt Liu's daughter, Qi Danxia, ​​has a son and a daughter, and lives in peace in the Cheng family; Qi Yunying was rewarded for her military achievements, and now she has joined the Ministry of War. Although her official position is low, her future is boundless—she felt most uncomfortable about Qi Yunruo. Qi Yunruo was involved in lawsuits, but he was rewarded by the emperor. Doesn't this mean that the emperor did not believe in his daughter at all? If you are bullied, do you like Qi Yunruo more?

Mrs. Zhao was so angry that her teeth itch, but there was nothing she could do.

On the second day when Qi Yunying visited Prince Chun's Mansion, Qi Yunruo naturally wanted to accompany her. Mrs. Zhao repeatedly ordered Qi Yunying to look after Qi Niqun and "give that little bitch a good look." Qi Yunruo invited Qi Yunying to Guanhe Tingzhou and found some Accompanied by acquainted bodyguards, Qu Qing went to the northwest and has not yet returned. Fang Ge is the leader of the bodyguards. After dinner, Qi Yunruo asked about Qi Niqun.

Qi Yunruo said: "I'll take you to have a look. Maybe the concubine will meet you. What she said in person is naturally more credible than what I said."

Qi Yunying nodded, but in front of Dongmei Courtyard, the servant girl Liu Ling said: "The concubine said she didn't want to see the second young master, so I asked the second young master to bring a message to the wife, and said that the concubine is fine, but she just wants to calm down recently. , I will go to pay my parents a visit after a while."

Dongmeiyuan dealt with a group of servants. Liu Ling was not a prominent person in the past, but now he was brought up. Qi Yunying didn't know about this, so he just nodded and said, "I know."

After the two walked out for a while, Qi Yunruo said: "Otherwise, I will take you to see the two princesses. You are the princesses' uncle. You can go back and talk to Mrs. Zhao when you see the children."

Qi Yunying nodded, but in front of the Thrushcross Courtyard, he still couldn't help asking: "What's the matter with the princess?" He didn't doubt Qi Yunruo, it was just a maid, he couldn't explain to Uncle Ziyang and his wife when he went back.

Qi Yunruo said: "That's all I have to say. The princess didn't take good care of the young lady, so the prince felt that the princess was abusing the concubine daughter. Later, the prince and concubine had disputes... The princess voluntarily repented and was unwilling to come out."

Qi Yunying didn't know how much she believed, and the second young lady Chu'er didn't recognize her, nor did she recognize Qi Yunruo, her mother pointed at Qi Yunying and taught her: "This is the second uncle."

Chu'er blinked at him, and called out childishly, "Second Uncle."

Qi Yunying smiled, but he didn't bring a gift for the child. He half-kneeled apologetically, looked at the little girl and said, "I'll bring you a gift when uncle visits you next time."

The world of a child is the simplest. At the age of two, the first child is still unaware of the intrigues and intrigues between adults. She was brought up by the mothers and maids, and there is nothing wrong with leaving her mother suddenly. Looking curiously at the good-looking Qi Yunruo, Qi Yunruo likes children, and her heart softens when he sees her.

After Qi Yunruo and Qi Yunying went out, Qi Yunying sighed softly, "Finally, I can go back to do business."

Qi Yunruo nodded, Qi Yunying hesitated for a long time, and said: "Do you know? Because you came back from the palace safely, many ministers are going to jointly write a letter, asking the emperor to appoint a prince."

If Qi Yun didn't know, but he guessed it, so he wasn't too surprised.

Qi Yunying said: "Now is not a good time."

How could Qi Yunruo not know that Li Chen was called into the palace overnight yesterday, the south of the Yangtze River was flooded, and urgent memorials were sent to the capital from [-] miles to the south, and the capital must start preparing for disaster relief. , will inevitably feel unhappy.

Qi Yunruo sighed: "Some people just want to keep attacking, so that the emperor is completely tired of the prince."

It took a long time after Qi Yunruo sent Qi Yunying away to wait for Li Chen to come back. Li Chen looked tired, his eyes were blue, and he didn't rest at all. When he came back, he waved his hands and said: "There is no need to prepare any dinner, I just want a bowl Porridge."

Qi Yunruo nodded, and told the kitchen to serve only some refreshing dishes, put them in two small plates and send them to Li Chen. Li Chen lay down on the bed after drinking the porridge, staring up at him in a daze.

"My lord?" Qi Yunruo asked, "Is the disaster in the south of the Yangtze River too serious?"

Li Chen said: "Because of successive wars, the household department does not have much silver deposits. The south of the Yangtze River needs to rebuild the dams, resettle the victims, and purchase grain seeds. I am afraid that the next days will be very difficult."

Qi Yunruo thought that the prince is in charge of supervising the household department, so he couldn't help asking: "Will you be responsible for this matter?"

Li Chen shook his head.

Qi Yunruo looked at his expression, frowned and said: "Could it be that the emperor appointed King Jing? But King Jingming..." Qi Yunruo thought for a while and said, "He is a person who puts his own interests first and disregards the life and death of his brothers and the danger of the country. The emperor should know That's right."

Li Chen said indifferently: "But father dared not let me do any more meritorious service. As soon as King Jing proposed, the emperor immediately agreed."

Qi Yunruo was furious, and Li Chen said: "Maybe in the heart of the emperor, the elder brother didn't kill me after all. Apart from that incident, Si De has also guarded the northwest for many years after all."

Qi Yunruo had nothing to say, but when he thought of Qi Yunying's words, his heart suddenly trembled, "My lord! If King Jing leaves the capital at this time, and you are the only adult prince in the capital, I'm afraid you will become a target again. If the emperor is dissatisfied, the emperor will only vent his anger on you."

Li Chen rested his head on his hands, yawned and said, "The ruler wants the minister to die, and the minister has to die."

Qi Yunruo frowned first, then suddenly his face brightened, he threw himself on him and asked, "My lord! You must have some idea, don't you? I don't think you are in a hurry at all."

Li Chen embraced him with one arm, and laughed a few times in a low voice.

"Don't worry me, just tell me."

Li Chen said: "I was inspired by the events of King Qing and King Yong a few days ago. Brother Dahuang went to Jiangnan, where his wife and family are there. The She family is very powerful. With their help, Brother Dahuang can do things with half the effort. After all, Jiangnan The water is deep, there are many chambers of commerce, rich and wealthy officials collude with each other, and the imperial court can't rule for a hundred years. Perhaps the father thought of this and sent the elder brother out. However, there are people around me who are from Jiangnan, and they know the situation in Jiangnan very well. With deep people around, King Yong can take the merits of King Qing, why can't I share a piece of the pie here in Jiangnan?"

"It's Mr. Ouyang!"

Li Chen closed his eyes, "Old Ouyang's understanding of the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is no less than that of the elder brother, and the father also agreed."

Qi Yunruo let go of half of his heart, and then sighed: "Poor those victims, no matter what King Jing is, since he is so familiar with Jiangnan, he should give them a way to survive as soon as possible. Even if he is doing something for himself, he should be diligent It's good to do business." Shui Linglong and Rong Sanniang are both from the south of the Yangtze River, and they came to Beijing to work as prostitutes because of the flood, Qi Yunruo has a deeper sympathy for the victims.

After a while, Qi Yunruo remembered that the officials still had to submit a letter, and said with a headache: "Is there no way to stop them?"

Li Chen closed his eyes and said, "It's inevitable."

Qi Yunruo lay down helplessly and let out a long sigh. He felt that from tomorrow onwards, Prince Chun's Mansion would once again be plunged into a bloodbath.

half year later.

The emperor smashed a copy on the ground and said angrily: "A defeated Qiang tribe! Two separate tribes! Half a year later, they still have to fight and kill! Of the nearly ten thousand soldiers I sent, three What's the use of ten bachelors! They're all trash!"

Yuan Sidao said: "Your Majesty, after all, this is the first time King Qing has led the army..."

The emperor said coldly: "Isn't it the first time that King Chun led the army?"

King Qing's errand was really useless, so Yuan Sidao had no choice but to divert the trouble to the east, saying: "The barbarians are difficult to deal with by force. Unexpectedly, even the most profound old doctor can't deal with them..."

Zhou Lingyan, who already had a seat in the court, said: "If you haven't used force to subdue them, how can literati be of any use?"

There was endless debate in the court. The emperor looked at the empty place where King Chun stood, and didn't know what he was thinking. Half a year ago, when the crown prince was erected in Beijing, King Chun voluntarily resigned from the official position of the Ministry of Households, quit the power center, and was leisurely in the mansion. for half a year.

King Jing began to control the floods in spring, and it was quite effective, and the victims were almost resettled. The staff of King Chun's mansion made a lot of efforts, but King Chun never asked the old gentleman to be appointed an official position, which made people feel a lot of emotion .

The emperor said indifferently: "Prince Chun is young, and it is the year when he is doing his best for the country. When the court comes to employ people, he has been staying in the mansion. It is really out of shape. He draws up an order, and asks King Chun to return to the court immediately."