The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Hearing Dai Quan's biography, Tu Zhen felt a little uneasy, like a criminal who was caught and raped.He subconsciously turned his head to look at Xue Pan lying on the heating kang.Because he heard that Xue Zhizhang was about to enter the palace for an audience, Xue Pan sat up cautiously, while protecting his lower back, he leaned forward to get off the ground.

Because of the soreness and lack of strength all over his body, Xue Pan moved very slowly, lying crookedly on the edge of the heating bed, as if he was about to fall off if he didn't pay attention.

Tu Zhen was taken aback, and immediately came over to help Xue Pan lean on the kang.Then bent down and held Xue Pan's feet, helping him put on the shoes.He conveniently took two soft cushions from the other side and placed them under Xue Pan's body, leaned forward and asked Xue Pan's cheek, and said solemnly: "You rest here for a while, I will go to see Zhongxinhou. "

Xue Pan glanced at Tu Zhen suspiciously, not understanding why he had such a worried expression on his face that he was going to die righteously.Immediately pursed his lips worriedly, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"It's nothing." Tu Zhen sighed and shook his head, he couldn't say he was guilty!His son, who had just fallen asleep, ran out. Even if he didn't ask the teacher for the crime, Tu Zhen couldn't hide his nervousness.

"Why do I think you're a little nervous?" Seeing Tu Zhen's uncomfortable expression, Xue Pan curled the corners of his mouth knowingly.He stood up with difficulty, patted Tu Zhen on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I told my father about the matter with you before. Father didn't object."

Tu Zhen's face darkened, and he became more and more worried.

His fingers trembled slightly, his heart was cold, he subconsciously swallowed his saliva, turned around and said, "Don't wander around in the Nuan Pavilion, I'm going to the front hall."

Xue Pan raised his head, looked at Tu Zhen's back without hesitation, and blinked his eyes in a daze.

Hall of Mental Cultivation——

When Tu Zhen walked to the front hall, Xue Zhizhang had already stood in the hall waiting for a long time.Wearing the vermilion marquis court uniform on his body, it showed Xue Zhizhang's calmness and grace even more.Tu Zhen carefully looked at Xue Zhizhang's expression, his attitude was calm and indifferent, not like the anger of his son being snatched away, Tu Zhen comforted himself a little uneasy-maybe the father-in-law really wanted to talk to him about state affairs.

"My minister has met the Holy Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live."

"Flat body."

Tu Zhen said, and sat behind the dragon case with an indifferent face.The twelve crowns were shaking in front of his eyes, making him unable to see Xue Zhizhang's face clearly.At the same time, I also isolated my emotions.Tu Zhen curled up his palms slightly, and asked in a deep voice: "Aiqing is entering the palace at this moment, but is it for the expedition to Japan?"

Xue Zhizhang bowed and responded, "Your Majesty Qizuo, I am here to pick up my son."

"Ahem!" Tu Zhen accidentally choked on his saliva, and the calmness he managed to maintain immediately turned into a guilty conscience. He looked at Xue Zhizhang in embarrassment, and asked softly, "Master Hou means..."

Xue Zhizhang bent slightly, and Gu Jing said calmly: "Your Majesty Qizuo, I heard that the dog stayed in the palace last night and has not returned yet. I am really disturbed, so I came here specially to bring him back."

After a pause, Xue Zhizhang said again: "Foreign ministers are not allowed to stay in the inner palace. This is the rule of Yongzu. Please forgive me."

Tu Zhen took a deep breath, looked at the calm Xue Zhizhang in front of him, and suddenly asked: "Pan'er told me that he has already mentioned to Lord Hou about the two of us being together? "

Xue Zhizhang was taken aback when he heard the words, he didn't expect Tu Zhen to say this so quickly.Just as he was thinking about how to answer the conversation, Tu Zhen asked solemnly, "How does Lord Hou think about this matter?"

Xue Zhizhang bowed to salute, and said in a deep voice: "If a sage is in his position, he will seek his own government. Take care of your majesty's life, and have a harem for your majesty's continuous heirs. My Xue family is loyal and loyal to the sage. It is the right way to do things for His Majesty and do your best."

"It's only when Pan'er is with me that I feel happy." Tu Zhen said, staring straight at Xue Zhizhang, and said, "Don't worry, Lord Hou, I will not let him down."

Then you still ask my fart!

Xue Zhizhang heard Tu Zhen say this with a vow, and wanted to question him like this.However, he is rigorous by nature, thinks twice and is polite, so he will not do such hasty and reckless things.But it's not Xue Zhizhang's temperament to make him agree to this matter against his will.

Thinking of this, Xue Zhizhang rubbed his forehead with some headaches.He raised his head and looked at Tu Zhen carefully.

This is also the first time that he, as a courtier, has made such an overstepping action.

To be honest, Tu Zhen actually looks very good.Unlike Xue Pan's exquisite eyebrows and eyes, which are pampered and soft, Tu Zhen's appearance is very in line with the ancients' standard for "beauty".

He is eight feet tall, fair-skinned, with a penetrating nose and star-like eyes.He has a noble temperament, calm and quiet, and his gestures reveal confidence and nobility.It can be called the watch of the sun and the moon, with the quality of a dragon and the appearance of a phoenix, elegant and elegant.

Such a person is an emperor himself, if he can't find what kind of beauties he wants, how can Pianpian get entangled with his Pan'er?

Xue Zhizhang shook his head somewhat disturbedly.After being silent for a while, he sighed softly and said, "It doesn't matter whether the Holy Majesty is sincere or not, and whether he treats Pan'er kindly or not. If it is according to my original intention, as long as the Holy Majesty is still the Holy Majesty, I naturally disagree."

At this moment of kung fu, he is not in the mood to pay attention to the distinction between monarch and minister.He actually called "I" in front of Tu Zhen.Such a mistake is almost impossible for Xue Zhizhang, who is known for his rigor.It can also be inferred from this that in Xue Zhizhang's heart, Xue Pan's status is indeed very high.

"To tell you the truth, my Xue family has few heirs. Although there are eight families, there are still few males in the family. Therefore, there has always been a tradition in my Xue family, that is, before the age of ten, the sons and daughters are brought up the same. If there is a businessman If you don’t have the talent for business, then both men and women should be carefully cultivated. If you don’t have the talent for business, you will raise your children to prepare for marriage. In Weichen’s area, there are only two males, Pan’er and Xing’er, and a female child, Baochai. Now that Baochai is about to get married, she will leave the court soon, and Xun'er is still a baby who doesn't understand the world. Only Pan'er is left with the old minister."

"Back then, the old minister passed away due to illness. Even the coffin in the mourning hall had been prepared, but Pan'er cried and came back from the Palace of Hades. I must have heard about this matter. The old minister always believed that this life of Lao Tzu came from Pan'er. Lord Yan snatched it back. Therefore, after the old minister recovered from his illness, even the elders in the clan had some objections to Pan'er's unprincipled doting. But the old minister insisted on going his own way, and was never willing to discipline Pan'er. Because the old minister woke up in the coffin. I swore instantly, in this life, I will give Pan'er the most comfortable and comfortable environment, and I will let Pan'er do everything he wants. As long as I can give him, I will never begrudge or hesitate."

"The old official tried his best to give Pan'er the best. Let him eat well, dress well, and play well. The old official will never force Pan'er to do things he doesn't want to do. Therefore, Pan'er doesn't like reading, so I will Let him study for many years, but he can't even recite the three-character scriptures. Pan'er doesn't like being an official, and I let him toss about the family's business, and never force him. Even if my Xue family officially enters the government, I urgently need a son to rule I also support my nephew and nephew at home, and I don’t want to embarrass Paner. He said he didn’t want to get married, so I helped him persuade his mother to let him play for two more years..."

"For so many years, the veteran can say with a clear conscience that as long as Pan'er wants, I will try my best to give him. The veteran has never hesitated. But only this time..."

When Xue Zhizhang said this, he sighed in disapproval, shook his head and said, "My lord, forgive me for telling the truth, I really don't want him to have anything to do with the sage."

Tu Zhen's face was very calm, he clenched his fists hidden in the loose robe, but asked calmly in front of him, "Why?"

"Because there has never been a good death for courtiers since ancient times." Xue Zhizhang raised his head, staring at Tu Zhen firmly. "The lesson of the predecessors is vivid, so I can't help but feel at ease. Deng Tong was starved to death, Han Yan was killed by poison, and Dong Xian was forced to hang himself. The old minister has spoiled Pan'er for many years, and preventing him from being with the Holy One is not because he dislikes the courtiers. The reputation will be stigmatized for thousands of years. It is the old minister who is afraid... the old minister will grow old, the veteran will die, and one day without the protection of the veteran, Pan'er will end up with these courtiers."

Xue Zhizhang chuckled, and shook his head bitterly. "For so many years, Pan'er has been used to being lawless by me. He is arrogant, reckless and naive, and he only thinks of his own pleasure in everything. He does things rashly, and never considers the consequences. He is soft-tempered and kind... He and the Holy Majesty have been together Once the incident together is exposed, everyone in the court will stare at him. The family members of the concubines in the harem can't wait for him to die, although now they dare not act due to the power of the Holy One and even the old minister. But one day, the old minister will not protect him. Hold him, and the Holy One may not be able to protect him."

When Xue Zhizhang said this, he couldn't help but sighed resentfully: "The sage is young and has never tasted the taste of beauty. Now you are infatuated with Pan'er, and it is only a moment of pleasure. If there is a day when His Majesty hates it, withdraw Go away. You are still a lofty, wise and benevolent Holy Majesty, but Pan'er is no longer that flamboyant and favored little prince. At that time, how will you let him deal with himself?"

"At that time, the verbal swords, slander, abuse, and even ghost tricks that have been endured for many years will finally destroy him! And at that time, it is very likely that I will be dead, who will protect him?"

"I won't let him get hurt." Tu Zhen blurted out an unbearable rebuttal, and cut off Xue Zhizhang's words. "In order to be with Pan'er, I endured for five years. Until now, I ensured that I was capable enough to protect Pan'er, and finally kept him by my side. Therefore, my thoughts on Pan'er will never be a whim Everything I have done, my efforts, and my forbearance, is not to make Pan'er bear the name of a courtier to be with me."

Tu Zhen got up, walked to Xue Zhizhang in two steps, and said decisively: "I will not let anyone insult Pan'er, not even my subjects, or my harem, or even myself, will not have this opportunity."

"Pan'er can stand with me regardless of the world's gossip, slander, humiliation, how can I selfishly leave a way out for myself? If I really do this, let alone Lord Hou, even I will look down on me Myself. Because I am not worthy of Pan'er like that."

"You have to give me enough time. I will dismiss the harem and marry Pan'er as a queen. From now on, I will only have Pan'er in my life."

Tu Zhen stared firmly into Xue Zhizhang's eyes and said: "You are not joking. The Marquis can take a closer look at what I have done. You don't need to worry about anything, I will take care of everything. You just need to Protect Pan'er's comfortable life, and then quietly wait for my imperial decree and betrothal gift."

Xue Zhizhang was dumbfounded. Before coming here, he had thought that Tu Zhen would persuade him with words such as true love, or persecute him with imperial authority, or tempt him with fame and fortune.He thought of a lot, and almost thought of all the means that a superior person could use, but he never thought that Tu Zhen would actually have the idea of ​​dismissing the harem and making Pan'er the queen.

He shook his head in disbelief, and retorted softly: "This is impossible, and the ministers of the DPRK and China will not agree."

Since ancient times, the emperor's harem has been another form of small court.If Tu Zhen really decides to dismiss the harem and marry Xue Pan, what about the concubines in the harem?What about those aristocrats who tried to use their female relatives to gain advice from the Holy Majesty?Not having a harem is equivalent to having no heirs, so what about the inheritance of the country and the country for thousands of years?

As the saying goes, one hair can move the whole body, if Tu Zhenruo really insists on going his own way, even if he is an emperor, such a decision will never be passed.At that time, the imperial palace and even the royal family will oppose it, and Pan'er's identity will be even more embarrassing.

"Your Majesty, you don't need to care. My state affairs require ministers to offer advice and suggestions. But my family affairs are not to be discussed." Tu Zhen said, flicking his sleeves lightly, and said softly: "Anyone who tries to restrain my actions has already done so. Disappeared in the court. If there are still people who are not willing to give up, I will let them understand."

"My will, they just need to obey."

Xue Zhizhang frowned. Although Tu Zhen's words were full of pride, he still didn't like Tu Zhen's actions.

"Not to mention, there are so many concubines in the harem. Once they have entered the palace, they are the women of the Holy Majesty. If the Holy Majesty dismisses the harem, what will they do? If they return home, can they marry again? Who dares to marry the woman of the Holy Majesty?"

Tu Zhen waved his hand nonchalantly, "Most of the concubines in the harem are the daughters of four princes and eight princes. I got the news that these old ministers are not very disciplined. Recently, they have been intimate and intimate with the king of Nan'an County. For the great plan of the country , I will naturally not tolerate it. After I have wiped them all out, the so-called concubines in the harem will become the family members of criminal officials, and the descendants of criminal officials are not eligible to enter the palace."

Tu Zhen said with a meaningful chuckle, and said, "Even those who have already entered the palace, they must all be sent to the cold palace. This is the ancestral family law of the Yong Dynasty."

The purpose of bringing these women into the palace at the beginning was to deal with the four kings and eight princes.In order to lure all ethnic groups to build family-visiting villas, the imperial court's corruption of ink was involved.Therefore, these women have been left in the harem by him since they entered the palace. In the past four or five years, he has not even seen the faces of these women.Now there is no pressure to drive people out of the palace.

However, in order to reflect the benevolence of the Holy Majesty, he will be more tolerant to the families of these prisoners.The big deal is that those who are willing to marry can let her marry, and those who don't want to marry can raise her until they die.When Pan'er was chatting, he told himself about establishing "nursing homes" and "orphanages" to accommodate the elderly and children living on the streets without care, in order to show the benevolence of the Holy One.

Tu Zhen said without pressure that he could start with these concubines first.Hurry up and get rid of these women and their mother's family, then marry Xue Pan into the palace, and stay together in an open and honest manner from now on!

Under the gaze of Xue Zhizhang Gujing Wubo, Tu Zhen secretly looked forward to the situation after the net was closed.

On the other side, Xue Zhizhang looked at the swearing and complacent Tu Zhen in front of him, and felt his head hurt even more.

He frowned helplessly, and secretly said in his heart: "Forget it, let's take a look for now!"