The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Really liking is not doing many things that you are not willing to do for your own happiness, but willing to do many things that are not happy for you.

——Tu Zhen Quotations

Xue Pan stretched out his arms to wrap Tu Zhen's thin body in his arms.The silky and delicate palm walked on Tu Zhen's body for a moment, only to feel that the body under the palm was thin, thin, and hard, not as flexible and soft as her own.I couldn't help but sighed distressedly, and said: "Since I saw your face, I haven't seen any flesh on your body. It seems that others have abused you and refused to eat. Are you alone in the palace?" Time, never eat on time?"

A smile flashed in Tu Zhen's eyes, he lowered his head and pressed his forehead against Xue Pan's smooth forehead, and said softly, "If you really want to know, why don't you come and see it yourself every meal time?"

Xue Pan shook his head helplessly, leaned forward and kissed Tu Zhen's lips lightly.After evacuating like a dragonfly, Xue Pan picked up the chopsticks and put a few mouthfuls of vegetables into the bone plate in front of Tu Zhen, and said softly: "In this case, I will watch you eat from today on."

Tu Zhen looked at the dishes piled high on the bone plate in front of him, and curled his lips in a good mood.He picked up the chopsticks and put them in his mouth one by one and ate them all.

Xue Pan saw that he had almost eaten, so he took up chopsticks and served him dishes.The two have known each other for a long time, and Xue Pan naturally knows Tu Zhen's preferences and habits like the palm of his hand.He also never paid attention to the rule of not eating more than three meals, and only picked the dishes that Tu Zhen liked to eat in the bowl.Although Tu Zhen is very picky about food, on the one hand, Xue Pan personally served all the dishes for him; on the other hand, he really likes these dishes, so he quietly ate them all.

Guessing that Tu Zhen had almost eaten, Xue Pan stretched out his arm and brought over the Bigeng rice across from the kang, took a few mouthfuls of vegetables, finished a bowl of rice, and drank a bowl of soup.Then he wiped his mouth and signaled Dai Quan to take the food away.He also ordered in his mouth: "If the imperial dining room asks, just say that I ate the missing dishes. I am a picky eater by nature, and I don't care about the rules of eating less than three, so tell them not to get bored in front of me. Ruo Ruo at night If I order any dish and don't bring it to me, tell them to be careful."

Hearing this, Dai Quan subconsciously glanced at Tu Zhen who was sitting silently next to him, and then bowed and said, "No."

According to the theory of health preservation, after eating a meal, get up and walk around for a while before you can overcome it.So Xue Pan pulled Tu Zhen, who was about to bury his head in the memorial, out of the warm pavilion, and walked slowly to the plum garden behind.

Looking at plum blossoms under the sun, of course, there is no elegance and serenity in the moonlight.However, the thick red plum against the white snow also has a kind of indescribable nobility and arrogance.The visual effect of dots of red in the depth of white also makes the two feel relaxed and comfortable. The fragrance of the garden is lingering in the nose.

It's a pity that the weather is not beautiful, the sky is clear today, and the winter is high.It didn't mean to be cloudy at all.

The two walked slowly in the garden full of plum blossoms, and Xue Pan took this opportunity to tell Baochai and Jili that they wanted to invite Concubine Min in the palace as their official guest.

After pondering for a moment, Tu Zhen asked, "Why did you remember to ask Concubine Min to be the guest of honor? In fact, the former son, mother and empress also vaguely mentioned this matter to me."

When Xue Pan heard what Tu Zhen said, he couldn't help feeling embarrassed.In terms of status, the Empress Dowager is the most honorable woman in the world.It is naturally the most honorable thing for her to be the guest of honor at the ceremony for Baochai.

But what Xue Pan considers is that the person Baochai will marry in the future is Prince Zhongchun, Tuxiang.Concubine Min happened to be the biological mother of Prince Zhongchun. With this relationship, Baochai's life after marriage would be relatively easier.After all, the Dayong Dynasty has had the custom of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law difficulties since ancient times. Xue Pan did this just to minimize this inevitable conflict.

But once the empress dowager is invited as the guest of honor, although it is an honor in face.But in front of Concubine Min, she may not be able to live well.After all, the Empress Dowager and Concubine Min are both the Emperor's women, if the Empress Dowager is really invited to be Baochai's guest of honor, I am afraid that Concubine Min may not feel well.After all, although the two women usually seem to have an irreversible relationship, the women in the palace are somewhat narrow-minded about comparing each other... and Concubine Min is not someone else, but Baochai's future mother-in-law.

When the time comes, will Concubine Min, who feels her face is damaged, have a bad impression of Baochai?But if he insists on inviting Concubine Min as the official guest, will he offend the empress dowager who is more prestigious?

Regarding Xue Pan's concerns, Tu Zhen expressed that he could understand.He has been the son of the Empress Dowager for so many years, so he naturally understands his aunt.She volunteered to be Xue Baochai and Ji's honorable guest at the ceremony, but she just wanted to condescend to win over Xue's lineage.If due to his own reasons, there is a rift between the Xue family and Concubine Min, even if the Xue family doesn't say anything about it at that time, I am afraid that they will have some slight complaints about the Empress Dowager in their hearts.Such a result is probably not what the empress dowager, who has always been shrewd and calculating, wanted.

Thinking of this, Tu Zhen smiled slightly, and said to Xue Pan: "If you decide to invite Concubine Min as your guest, I will naturally let the queen mother talk about it. Don't worry, the queen mother will definitely agree happily. There will never be any grudges in my heart."

Hearing Tu Zhen's promise, Xue Pan was completely relieved.Immediately with a smile, he clenched Tu Zhen's palm hidden in the Flying Eagle's cloak, and said thankfully, "Then I would like to thank the Holy Majesty for your kindness."

Seeing this, Tu Zhen shook his head disapprovingly.

After walking around for a while, Xue Pan only felt the cold wind blowing on his face, as painful as scissors.He couldn't help frowning and asked: "Is there a greenhouse or something in the Holy Palace? It's too cold outside, and my face is frozen."

Tu Zhen shook his head with a light smile, and said, "The national treasury is empty, and the whole palace is too frugal, so there is no time to get those things. There were still some before, but I abolished them later."

He didn't even notice that in front of Xue Pan, he called himself "I" more and more times.

Xue Pan didn't notice this detail either.He just frowned slightly and asked: "But I heard from my father that during the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the emperor invited these old ministers to enjoy the flowers and the moon together. The flowers in the greenhouse are blooming very well. The rare species Prestige is better than our greenhouse."

Tu Zhen hooked the corners of his mouth calmly, and said softly, "Father is different from me."

When Xue Pan heard it, he immediately understood.Immediately, his dissatisfaction with the emperor increased to another level.I just feel that if he dominates the government for a day, my little lover will always be bullied.At the moment, he wondered whether he should push Yun'er to increase the dose of medicine.

Tu Zhen naturally didn't know what Xue Pan was thinking.He just saw Xue Pan's dissatisfaction with not having a warm house in his palace, and the love for him that he couldn't hide with his eyes and heart.Tu Zhen immediately felt that such a thing was not so aggrieved.In the past three or four years, he has become accustomed to such a disparity in contrast.What's more, for a man to stand in the world, the most important thing is to hold the power of the world.Although it is charming to seek ease and pleasure, it is not the life that Tu Zhen wants.

And what Tu Zhen never said was that the reason why he indulged the emperor's extravagant and exquisite life was not a good intention.

Since the founding of the Great Yong Dynasty, there have been many disasters, natural disasters and man-made disasters.Leaving aside the fact that he is still far away, just in the few years since he came to the throne, there was a snow disaster in the first year, how many houses were crushed and how many people and livestock were killed by freezing?In the second year, there was a severe drought in Shandong, and the tens of thousands of acres of fields were innumerable, forcing the local people to take their families and flee from famine to the north or south. Although there was no drought or snow in the third year, the Yellow River burst its embankment. , and drowned countless lives and livestock...

Almost all of the tens of millions or even tens of millions of taels of silver that Xue Pan paid him as tribute to him every year were used for disaster relief.Even so, it is still a bit stretched, and the east wall is demolished to make up for the west wall.But the faction of officials below are still singing and dancing, greedy and insatiable, just this year's noble concubine visits relatives, how many rich and powerful officials have revealed their clues...

Given the current situation, it was no wonder that Tu Zhen would pay attention to them.

At the same time, Tu Zhen also quietly released the news that he spent millions of taels of silver to repair Qiankun Palace, and even allocated 10 taels of silver every month for the emperor to have fun and watch.Just a greenhouse in winter needs ten thousand taels of silver to maintain every month.Shenjing was extremely cold, so every winter, Tuzhen would send people to a warm place in the south to move thousands of miles of precious and rare flowers for the emperor to enjoy.The sum of these moneys is definitely enough for the displaced people to have a stable winter.

If things go on like this, the common people miss less and less about the wise and loving emperor, and even as their own suffering increases, their resentment becomes more and more.But the Emperor, who was busy enjoying himself in the palace and fighting for power and profit, naturally would not know that behind Tu Zhen's seemingly cowardly and benevolent behavior, he was quietly disintegrating the hearts and fame he had gathered all his life...

As for such a shady method, Tu Zhen's death would not let Xue Pan know about it.That's why in Xue Pan's eyes, Tu Zhen will always be the weak fourth prince who had to hide in their home to avoid misfortune because of being murdered by his elder brother. The suppressed young emperor who couldn't lift his head...

Only in this way, Pan'er will put all his heart and soul on him.Only then will he unscrupulously help him, defend him, and even devise some soft and funny schemes for him.

Thinking that Pan'er would take advantage of Yun'er's favor to persuade him to give the emperor those things, Tu Zhen couldn't stop laughing.Although his thoughts were good, it was a pity that he underestimated the palace's sensitivity and disgust towards these dirty tricks.It was almost the first time that Yun'er performed tricks, and the person he put on the stick beside the emperor noticed it.Not only him, but even Li Deyu, who was the closest and most loyal to the emperor, noticed Yun'er's actions, but for some unknown reason, Li Deyu remained silent.

And Tu Zhen also took advantage of the situation and instructed the people at the sticky pole to deal with this matter cleanly, so as not to leave any future troubles.After all, people in the royal family have always been very taboo about imported things. Before the emperor takes it, everything will be exposed after the little eunuch who is trying to eat it.And the degree to which the emperor cared about his body also determined that he would never eat such inexplicable pickled things.

Therefore, although the pills that Xue Pan specially gave to Yun'er were used, it was Tu Zhen who instructed someone to grind the pills into powder and then mix them with water to soak all the utensils used by the emperor. The effect is only achieved in the sandalwood commonly used in Qiankun Palace.

However, in order not to hurt Xiao Pantao's self-satisfied heart for such a superficial and crude idea that she racked her brains for, Tu Zhen still thoughtfully told Yun'er not to tell Pan'er the truth of the matter.Just let him be happy like this.As long as Pan'er has the heart to protect him, Tu Zhen thinks it's enough.As for the specific operation steps - let him do it himself!

Xue Pan stood still and saw Tu Zhen standing there in a daze for a long while because of his own words.Can't help but feel sad.I just feel that my little love is really pitiful. I didn't want to be the emperor but was kicked out of the shelves. After becoming the emperor, I didn't stop.From his father to his brothers, the whole country has made trouble for him.

Reviewing the memorials every day and night does not rest until midnight. Even so, there are always some people who want to please the emperor and smear him unscrupulously. They always say that he is young and frivolous, young and innocent, impulsive and unable to control the Yongjiang River. The emperor must be by his side Auxiliary...

Xue Pan thought of this, and snorted twice angrily.Yue Xing walked up to Tu Zhen, put his arms around Tu Zhen's neck and pulled it down, tiptoed up to Tu Zhen, kissed his lips softly and comforted him: "Tu Zhen, don't worry, even if everyone flatters the emperor If you run on you, I will also stand by your side. If you endure for a year or a half, the situation will be very different."

Tu Zhen stood on the spot with a positive expression, calculating and planning, only felt his body warm up suddenly, and Xue Pan sent him to the door spontaneously.The soft and moist lips gently tapped on her lips like a feather, making Tu Zhen's heart rippling.

At the moment, I didn't hear what Xue Pan was saying, but subconsciously put my arms around Xue Pan's flexible waist, and slowly moved up with one hand along the spine until it clasped Xue Pan's neck and pressed down. He also lowered his head and deepened this shallow kiss that seemed like a superficial kiss.

The delicate kisses fell on the lips and lips, like the most gentle and warm spring rain in spring, moistening and warming the heart.The hot tip of the tongue depicts the shape of the beautiful lips with a trace of warmth, teasing, licking and licking with more force from time to time.Xue Pan couldn't help opening his mouth because of such an itchy feeling. Tu Zhen's nimble tongue followed the trend, first slid across Xue Pan's warm mouth, and then grabbed Xue Pan's small tongue and entangled him. Involuntarily, he increased his strength and hugged the person in his arms tightly.

If it is only about kissing, Tu Zhen, who can be called pure in heart, is naturally not as good as Xue Pan, who has experienced many battles in later generations.The tender palm wandered just right on Tu Zhen's body, carelessly stroking across the sensitive areas of the man's body one after another.It only caused Tu Zhen's whole body to tremble unceasingly, bursts of impulse spontaneously arose from his bones, as if flowing to his lower abdomen automatically, and his body couldn't help reacting.

Feeling that Tu Zhen's scorching heat was pressing against his inner thigh, Xue Pan curled his lips in satisfaction, smiling like a cat stealing fish.

Regardless of men and women, as long as you can arouse the emotion and emotion of your lover, it is a great honor for everyone who is deeply in love.As long as he imagines that the person he loves the most will get the greatest satisfaction and happiness in his hands, Xue Pan will be so excited that pink bubbles will appear all over his body.He subconsciously increased the strength in his palms, and he moved his palms around Tu Zhen's body to light the fire with ease.Even through the heavy clothes, Xue Pan could feel Tu Zhen's body getting excited slowly.Such recognition made Xue Pan feel happiest.

It's just that Xue Pan is happy, but Tu Zhen feels that his heart is getting colder while his body is hot.He struggled with his desire and desire to forcibly break away from the gentle happiness brought by Xue Pan, held Xue Pan's cheek in both hands, and asked seriously: "How can you... be so familiar and comfortable?"

He had wanted to ask this question a long time ago.Before, I had been worried that my monopoly would arouse Xue Pan's resentment, so I had to endure it carefully.Now that Xiao Pantao's heart for him was finally confirmed, Tu Zhen couldn't help but question him anymore.

Xue Pan was taken aback by Tu Zhen's sudden words.Just looking at the shock, loss, despair, madness and other negative emotions in Tu Zhen's always clear and soft eyes, although he pretended to be calm, he couldn't help sighing with distress.

At this time, it is obviously inappropriate to tease him and say something like "There are people in your family and others outside are very fair, why bother".

So Xue Pan's thoughts were like light and electricity, but in a moment, he thought of a good reason to fool Tu Zhen: "Of course I learned it by myself at home watching erotic pictures. Could it be that you think I'm cheating behind your back? Really, Even if you don’t believe me, don’t you believe in the blood drops and sticky sticks that are watching by your side? Don’t you know what I do every day and who I have any dirty relations with?”

As for the secret of his rebirth, Xue Pan is not a fool, and he can't tell it even if he is killed.

Tu Zhen was relieved a little by Xue Pan's straightforward questions one after another, but he couldn't stop the sour excuse in his heart: "Where am I going to find out about this? I arranged my people by your side, It’s just to protect your safety—as for I want to know your every move, don’t you also ask about my life through the blood drops left by Mr. Shi?”

"And your brothers and friends - Baoyu, Mojier, Phoenix egg, they always love to sleep in the same bed and eat at the same table with you, and my people can watch you do things out of line Son, maybe I can still go into your room to see if you have..."

At the end, Tu Zhen was choked up by his own imagination, and stopped talking embarrassingly, his face livid.

Seeing this, Xue Pan slandered Tu Zhen for his small belly, and felt sorry for his loneliness and helplessness.Ever since the two of them said they wanted to be together, he knew well that Tu Zhen hadn't approached the concubine next to him.Just like Tu Zhen said, although Tu Zhen can know his situation from the hidden sticks and blood drops around him, he can also inquire about Dao Tu Zhen's every move from the blood drops around Tu Zhen move.Naturally, we can know that Tu Zhen keeps himself clean and cautious.

It may be because the previous experience has hit him too hard.As a result, although Tu Zhen is an emperor, his attitude towards feelings is much more serious than that of ordinary men nowadays.Although it can't be said that the guarantee of "a couple for a lifetime" is justified, but judging from Tu Zhen's actual actions, he still cares more about the clean fit of the two people's bodies and spirits.Even this level of concern is even greater than that of Xue Pan, who is used to the indulgence of one-night stands in later generations.

Thinking of this, Xue Pan sighed, touched Tu Zhen's delicate cheeks with both hands, and solemnly comforted him: "Don't worry! When I'm with you, as long as you can hold on, I won't treat others How is it?"

As for what would happen to him if Tu Zhen couldn't keep it, Xue Pan didn't say clearly.However, Tu Zhen's heart is all tied to Xue Pan, and he has always prided himself on knowing him better than Xue Pan himself.Naturally, he also knew Xue Pan's unfinished words.Immediately nodded heavily, stretched out his arms to hold Xue Pan tightly in his arms, and said as if swearing: "Pan'er, don't worry, I will not let you have a chance to leave."

Just the moment when he hugged Xue Pan's flexible waist, Tu Zhen inevitably had a sad realization in his heart - Xue Pan, as the only heir of the loyal and trustworthy Xue family in Jinling, the responsibility of inheriting the family is inevitable.

Although Tu Zhen likes Xue Pan to the bottom of his heart, he doesn't want him to give up everything he should have for himself like Mian Shou.What's more, I don't want the relationship between the two to make Xue Pan suffer from other people's criticism.Therefore, Xue Pan must get married, and even the object of marriage is absolutely impossible to be a cat or dog that can be discarded at will.To be worthy of her status, she must be a noble girl from a famous family with not too much talent.If not, the relationship between the two will be noticed by the courtiers sooner or later. As the emperor, they will not dare to arrange it, but for Xue Pan who is in a weak position...

Thinking of this, Tu Zhen forced himself to endure the urge to kill that surged in his heart.Calm down and plan carefully...

It's just that before the two of them cleared up their thoughts, another incident, like a bomb explosion, confused Tu Zhen, who was planning secretly. Even after he heard the news, he couldn't help checking it again and again, and finally stared in disbelief. Looking at the secret music in front of him, he secretly slandered——

As the saying goes, when you are old, you will have children, and when you are old, you will beget pearls.Mrs. Xue, who has always been silent and silent...why is she pregnant?How did she get pregnant?

How could Xue Zhizhang, a stinky and shameless Lord Hou, make his wife, who is almost forty, have a big belly when he is so busy and sticky with his official duties?

Thinking of this, although Tu Zhen pretended to be calm, the corners of his mouth still couldn't help but rise.

Even if the treasury is empty, there is no money to build temples.Even if he pays for it himself, he still has to repair a Songzi Guanyin Temple outside the city.Damn it was so much fun.

Thinking of this, Tu Zhen couldn't help but laugh out loud.

So in the empty palace, Tu Zhen's idiot-like smile resounded instantly.

Dai Quan, who was guarding outside the hall, couldn't help shivering.Looking at the closed palace door from outside, he remained silent.