The predecessor who was scumbag by me was the emperor

Because the emperor let go of the two high-ranking concubines, Empress Dowager Pu fell ill, and the already deserted harem became even more gloomy.

On this day, Zhao Zhang went to see his doctor in the Palace of Compassionate Ning as usual in the afternoon. The Empress Dowager had refused to see him for a month. Hearing that he had lost his appetite and could not sleep at night, he became ill with anger.

Zhao Zhang stood outside the door and said a few words. Seeing that there was no movement inside, he knew that the empress dowager was still angry, so he said loudly: "Mother, it's going to be winter, why don't you go to Tongzhou Huangzhuang to live for a while?" Days, relax in the hot springs, what do you think?"

The door was opened, and an old woman stood inside and saluted Zhao Zhang, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager asked the old slave to answer your words, saying that you should not send her out, so that you can hide and relax, and don't leave for a day." Empress Dowager will not see you for a day."

"Is that really the case?"

The old mother nodded: "The empress dowager has made up her mind."

It seems that this time the Queen Mother was really angry, even if the rank of Concubine Ning was demoted before, the Queen Mother was not angry.

Zhao Zhang left the Palace of Compassion and Ning, and originally wanted to go to the Imperial Study to continue his work, but after thinking about it on the way, he turned a corner and went to the Wuheng Hall of Concubine Rong.

Concubine Rong was playing leaf cards with Beauty Liu, accompanied by two court ladies, and a little court lady and eunuch serving melons and fruit snacks. When hungry, someone brought royal meals, and when thirsty, someone brought good tea. Such a day could not be more comfortable.

Liu Meiren was most touched: "When I was punished to be sent to the Jiaofang Division, I thought this life was over. The better ones were favored by a certain adult and brought home to be an unnamed concubine. After becoming a prostitute in a brothel, I never expected to live such a comfortable life, I really don't understand what Concubine Xian and Song Zhaoyi are dissatisfied with."

Concubine Rong was not as big-hearted as her, and sighed, "It's all about different pursuits. At first I didn't want to be favored by the emperor and have children for him, but I knew there was no hope, so I always wanted to change my goal. Now it's like this." Excellent, enjoy the endless splendor and wealth, don't need housekeepers, and don't need to serve parents-in-law, husband and children, except that time is hard to pass, it's better than marrying into any other family."

"Who says it's hard to pass the time? Sleep until you wake up naturally every day, then dress up, think about what to eat for lunch, plant flowers and grass, play the piano and dance, and when you are bored, you can play cards together with sisters. There is no The empress is in charge of me, and I don’t need to ask my mother-in-law. Although it’s a pity not to have children, but in the harem, as long as I don’t die, there will always be someone to take care of me, so I don’t need to raise children to guard against old age.”

"Haha, what my sister said is right. Anyway, I am quite satisfied with my life now. Even if I go out of the palace and go home, I will probably go back to match an ordinary person. I have to respect my parents-in-law and my sister-in-law. Worrying about making a living, plus we were married before, it would be even more contemptible, we are abruptly shorter than others, why bother to go out and make people dislike us?"

A deep voice came from outside the door, "Who said that women who have entered the palace will be looked down upon?"

Concubine Rong and Meiren Liu were startled at the same time, the only man in the harem who could come to them was His Majesty, they hurriedly got up to greet each other, and saw Zhao Zhang walking in with great vigor.

He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a black cloak trimmed with red fox fur. Facing the light, he looked like a god descending into the world. Every time he took a step, the five-clawed golden dragon on the hem of his clothes would move with its teeth and claws, which was daunting.

This is the power of the emperor.

"The concubine sees the emperor..." Concubine Rong and Meiren Liu led a group of court ladies and eunuchs to kneel down and salute, feeling a little uneasy in their hearts, they both thought at the same time: Didn't the emperor come to drive them out of the palace himself?

By this time, no woman in the palace would think that the emperor still cared about them, and any favors and blessings were just floating clouds.

"Be flat." The emperor went around them and walked in. It was the first time he had come to Concubine Rong's palace.

When he was walking on the road just now, he came up with an idea, so he deliberately turned around to take a look. If the candidate is right, then the empress dowager's problem will be solved soon.

He glanced at the leaf cards on the table before they could be removed, and said with a smile: "I know a card played by four people is more interesting than the leaf cards, and someone will send it to you some other day."

His attitude was so good that even Rong Pin and Liu Meiren didn't dare to think deeply, and hurriedly knelt down again, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

"Okay, sit down, I have something to ask you guys."

Concubine Rong and Meiren Liu looked at each other, and the former took a deep breath and stood up and said, "My majesty, if the majesty wants to ask me if I want to leave the palace, it will be no good for us... I hope that the emperor will be kind enough to let me spend the rest of my life in the palace, and we can move to the cold palace."

"Really don't want to leave?" Zhao Zhang looked at her. It's just that Liu Meiren is homeless. Concubine Rong's father is the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Dare to say anything.

Concubine Rong smiled self-deprecatingly, "I don't think so, this palace is very good, the emperor will treat it as if we don't exist, and if the queen enters the palace in the future, if she thinks we are an eyesore, she can also send us to the palace. The Xinggong was built during the reign of the late emperor, it is extraordinarily elegant, and my concubines have always wanted to visit it."

Zhao Zhang turned his head and asked Liu Meiren, "What about you? With your previous status and upbringing, I can choose a good marriage for you. The imperial decree bestows marriage on you. In the future, a good husband and a beautiful wife can also make a good story."

Liu Meiren raised her head. She is extremely beautiful, and it is a crime of the harem. A glance is enough to confuse people's hearts. She smiled and asked: "Dare to ask the emperor, is there any man in this world who can be as dedicated as you? Can you help me if Yes, it doesn't matter if the concubine is married, if not, the concubine feels that life like this is better."

Zhao Zhang tapped on the chair lightly with his finger and fell into deep thought. The air in the hall was almost stagnant. Concubine Rong and Beauty Liu were nervously waiting for their fate to come. If the emperor really wanted to drive them out of the palace, they would have thought of a countermeasure. It's just that the life in the future will not be so moist.

After a while, the emperor didn't speak, got up and left, leaving behind the master's servants full of inexplicable faces.

"Sister, what do you mean by the emperor?"

"Probably... it's because we don't want to force us." Concubine Rong said uncertainly.

As a result, that afternoon, an imperial decree was introduced into Wuheng Palace, which scared everyone into a faint.

"Concubine Rong... oh, no, Empress Dowager accepts the decree." Manager Du smiled and reminded Concubine Rong, who was already out of her wits, that this was probably an imperial decree that was beyond everyone's expectations, and even Manager Du did not expect such an ending. If Concubine Xian and Song Zhaoyi knew what they had missed, they would regret it.

"The queen... is it me?" Concubine Rong couldn't react yet, her eldest maid hurriedly helped her up and pushed her forward to receive the order. What should I do after leaving the palace?

Director Du still looked like Maitreya Buddha, "Yes, empress, the emperor said that if you can keep your original intention, this harem will be your world in the future. The queen mother is getting old and unwell, so you should take over as soon as possible." Palace affairs, let the empress dowager rest well."

Concubine Rong immediately understood the reason why she was able to ascend to the throne. The emperor wanted to support a queen to come out to fight against the empress dowager, and even emptied the power in the empress dowager's hands. Does this mean that she has become the emperor's man?

"Congratulations, Empress Dowager!"

"Congratulations, Sister Rong." Liu Meiren stared at the imperial decree with burning eyes. There was definitely some envy, but she was also sincerely happy for Concubine Rong. In this way, she would be more comfortable in the harem.

What she didn't expect was that another imperial decree was sent to Liu Meiren early the next morning, and the eunuch who announced the decree was Director Du. It was an even more shocking imperial decree than yesterday.

"Following the fate of heaven, the emperor's edict said: Liu's family is graceful, beautiful and intelligent, and has outstanding appearance. His biological father, Liu Xiaming, has made great military achievements and defended his family and country. The ancestors of the Liu family who died in the battle, now pardon the punishment of the female family members and minor men of the Liu family, and change their citizenship to good people. I hope that in the future, they will be able to guard themselves, be strict with themselves, and do more good deeds for the country and the people."

Liu Meiren finally couldn't help crying. Compared with Gao Sheng, such an imperial decree moved her even more. Her Liu family has been generals for generations, but her grandfather was accidentally involved in the battle for the succession, and finally ended up in a family. His Majesty had already pardoned the tragic situation when he ascended the throne, exempting the Liu family members and underage children from the death penalty. Finally, I can be a commoner upright, and no longer bear the title of a relative of a criminal.

"Concubine... Thank you Lord Rongen!"

Director Du said softly: "The imperial decree is not over yet, please continue to listen to Miss Liu."

Liu Meiren wiped away her tears and continued to kneel, no matter what the emperor asked her to do, she was willing to do so.

Manager Du had to admire the emperor's thoughtfulness, but he didn't know whether Liu Meiren would be happy or sad after reading the second half of the imperial edict, but anyway, he felt that it was impossible for the other protagonist to be happy.

"Liu's Yanwan, in the harem for three years, followed the rules, served the Empress Dowager when she was sick, and had no meritorious deeds. She was granted the title of Wanru County Lord, with three thousand food, and married Shen Jia, a servant of the Imperial Academy. I hope that the two of you will watch over and help each other, and love each other, this is it!"

At the same time, Shen Jia also received an imperial edict, and it turned out to be an imperial edict to bestow marriage, which came unexpectedly, like a bomb, which completely blinded him.

Eunuch Sun, who announced the decree, saw that he was in a daze and did not answer, and reminded: "Master Shen, please accept the decree. Although this County Lord Liu was born as a beauty in the harem, she was once the daughter of General Liu's mansion. , if the Liu family hadn't collapsed, she would have been able to sit on the empress position, and now the emperor bestows it on you, so he also values ​​you."

The corners of Shen Jia's mouth twitched. He knew that since ancient times, the emperor had a precedent for bestowing unfavored concubines in the harem to officials, but he and Zhao Zhang... both felt that the decree came in a strange way.

Could it be that Zhao Zhang specially bestowed the marriage in order to break his thoughts?

He got up to receive the order, stuffed a purse into Eunuch Sun, and asked in a low voice: "Master Sun, may I ask if any major events have happened in the palace today? How did you give the humble minister a marriage in such a good manner?"

"Not today, but yesterday afternoon, the emperor issued a decree to canonize Concubine Rong as empress, and the post-canon ceremony will be held a month later. Perhaps Mr. Shen didn't know about it?"

Shen Jia really didn't know yet, there was only one night between this night and the morning, and he hadn't entered the palace yet, so he became more and more sure that this was Zhao Zhang's move to draw a clear line with him. Give him a regular wife, well, I can't have any ideas.

He had a look of loneliness and grief, Eunuch Sun couldn't understand it, but he still explained: "Lord Shen, this is a happy event, and the emperor has told you to enter the palace today as usual to accompany you."

Shen Jia's heart broke, hum, just go, who is afraid of whom?He wants to ask, what is the meaning of giving a marriage in such a clumsy way!

In the harem, Liu Meiren was in a daze for a long time before she came back to her senses. She thought yesterday that the emperor said to find her a good home was just a joke, and she didn't agree. The title, three thousand food, this can completely allow her to live a life of wealth and splendor.

It's just that Lord Shen...isn't it said that he is the emperor's new favorite?Could it be that the emperor wants him to win Lord Shen over?

Liu Yanwan has also heard a lot about Mr. Shen. After all, he is the No. [-] scholar this year. He is young, handsome, and prosperous in official career. People must be fat in the eyes of the rich and nobles. Could it be that the emperor wants to act first, so that Mr. Shen can be classified as a royalist?

Liu Yanwan couldn't figure it out, but she was still satisfied with being able to leave the palace in this way. It's a pity that her good sisters would find it difficult to get together to play cards in the future, but Concubine Rong is already a queen, and she is busy with business in the future, so she probably won't be free playing cards.

Now Liu Yanwan certainly doesn't know that the sisters will still live like this in the future, it's just that their titles have changed.

Shen Jia angrily entered the palace carrying the imperial decree, he hadn't left the court when he arrived at the imperial study, and he waited until noon, but the emperor didn't come back.

Director Du bent over and came in, and said sincerely: "Lord Shen, the emperor asked this old slave to inform you, please move to the imperial garden."

Shen Jia followed, but after waiting for such a long time, her anger was almost gone. She thought that since Zhao Zhang had chosen his wife, and she heard that she was a beautiful woman who was so beautiful, she probably didn't want to treat him badly, although she was unhappy. , but it did not appear on the surface.

It has already entered winter, and many flowers and plants suitable for survival in winter have been planted in the imperial garden. Although they are not lush, they are much better than other places.

There is a large lake in the imperial garden. In summer, the concubines like to take a boat on the lake to cool off. A pavilion was built beside the lake, which has always been a place of contention among military strategists.

But now, in the harem, apart from Concubine Fang who was grounded, there is only one empress who has just ascended to the throne. She must not be in the mood to relax in the imperial garden, so no one can appreciate the scenery of the garden.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Shen is here." Director Du announced.

Shen Jia stood up after saluting, and saw that food was already set up in the pavilion, which was very fragrant, especially attractive to those who had been hungry all morning.

"You all go back." Zhao Zhang asked the court ladies and eunuchs to leave, and waved to Shen Jia: "Come, have dinner with me."

Seeing this, Shen Jia knew that he must explain the marriage offering to herself, so she immediately suppressed her anger and stepped forward to serve her in a polite manner.

It was rare that the two of them had no sound when eating together, and they finished the meal quietly.

Zhao Zhang waited for Shen Jia to eat before asking: "Are you very angry?"

"I dare not!" Shen Jia replied angrily.

"Don't dare or can't? I should have discussed it with you first, but the matter is urgent, so I will cut it first and then play it."

Shen Jia forced a smile, "That's not the way to cut first and then play. Can the emperor tell the reason now?"

Zhao Zhang suddenly grabbed Shen Jia's hand, pulled him to stand up, and made him stand face to face with him, with only a dozen centimeters between them, so close that he could hear each other's heartbeats.

"Shen Jia, I'm much happier these days, do you know why?"

Shen Jia swallowed unconsciously, lowered her eyelids slightly and replied, "Is it because the matter of the Pu family is coming to an end?"

"No, those things will be finished sooner or later. I'm not in a hurry." Zhao Zhang lifted his chin and let him look directly at him. Shen Jia's eyes have always been his favorite, smart, cunning, and innocent, yes The most exciting eyes after seeing the intrigue between the court and the opposition.

Zhao Zhang felt that he was not wronged. It is not surprising that he would like Shen Jia. Who wouldn't like such a beautiful person?

"I made Concubine Rong the queen yesterday, and after a while, I will make Zhao Ting the crown prince. He is the son of the emperor's brother. He is smart and pure-minded. If he is trained well, he will definitely become a good heir. What do you think? "

How does Shen Jia feel?He can't think at all, okay?What does Zhao Zhang mean by these words?Is that what he thought?

"Then...a marriage offer?"

Zhao Zhang leaned over, gently pressed his lips and said, "If I don't get you a regular wife, how will you explain to your family in the future? Are you really going to be a bachelor for the rest of your life? At that time, you will not be my favorite but a male favorite." Yes, you still have to be able to get by on face."

"But that girl..."

"It's Liu Shi."

"Okay, isn't it too bad for a good girl from the Liu family to follow me?"

Zhao Zhang bit his lip lightly, and scolded in a low voice: "Do you think she is at a disadvantage? You are a wife that I bought by pardoning the crimes of the female family members and heirs of the Liu family, and even gave her the honor of the county head. You gave her three thousand dollars of wealth in Shiyi, you go and ask her to see if she thinks it's a loss."

Shen Jia blinked. He really didn't know this. Thinking about Liu's previous status, normal girls would agree to such an arrangement. Changing from the beauty of the emperor's harem to the official wife of the courtiers has added a layer of dignity In terms of identity, it should be Zhao Zhang who lost the business.

"You...the queen mother and the courtiers will not agree, you are going too far." Shen Jia didn't go to the court, so I don't know if anyone in the court this morning made things difficult for Zhao Zhang, presumably there were, Even if the objections of the ministers can be ignored, the opinions of the empress dowager and empress dowager cannot be ignored.

"Don't worry, I've made all the arrangements, you just need to tell me now, are you still angry? Are you satisfied with my arrangement? Are you happy?"

Shen Jia felt that it was too strange to talk together with lips pressed together like this. He always felt that he would be bitten if he gave a wrong answer. He gently pushed Zhao Zhang away, took a step back and leaned against the pillar, "The emperor has already done this step, and the minister is still here!" Do you have the right to be angry?"

Hearing what he said, Zhao Zhang knew that he was still angry, but he didn't know what the anger was. Sometimes Shen Jia's thoughts were different from ordinary people, and he couldn't figure it out. In Shen Jia's own words, Their brain circuits are often not on one channel.

Zhao Zhang sighed, sat back on the chair, propped his chin with his hands, and looked very lazy, "Anyway, I have done everything, and I have come to this point. If you nod, we will abandon the past and rebuild in the future." Well, you must understand what I mean.

If you don't nod, then it's nothing, it's nothing more than going back to the old days, our king is the king, and the minister is the minister, so we can do what we want in the future, what do you think? "

Shen Jia put her palm on the pillar behind her, rubbing the pattern on it, her thoughts were complicated, whether she nodded or shook her head, it really couldn't be decided in a short while.

He nodded and asked, "Has the emperor thought it through?"

"of course."

"What do you think?"

"Think with your head."

Shen Jia chuckled, and sighed, "You are so bold and willful, making it difficult for a courtier."

Seeing him smile, Zhao Zhang hooked his fingers, "Come here."

Shen Jia shook her head, didn't she just throw herself into her arms at this time?

The smile on the corner of his mouth was bright, and the afternoon sun shone on half of his face, making one's heart itch.

The sweetheart dangles in front of him every day, but Zhao Zhang used great willpower to restrain the urge to get close to him. It was okay before, after all, it was in such a solemn place as the Imperial Study Room, but in the small pavilion in the Imperial Garden Here, it seems that some beast is about to come out of the cage, and it can't be stopped even if you want to stop it.

"Oh..." Shen Jia was lifted up into the air by someone, and she was so frightened that she put her arms around the other person's neck, and asked stiffly, "What...what is this for?"

Zhao Zhang didn't do anything, just hugged him and sat back in the chair. Being able to hold his sweetheart in his arms was definitely a great happiness.

"Your heart beats very fast." Zhao Zhang put his palm on Shen Jia's chest. This kind of speed was probably only available when he confessed to himself during Yuanxiao that year.

"Nonsense, I was scared." Shen Jia didn't want to appear too hypocritical, he raised his head, and asked Zhao Zhang the last question: "Then, was that account written off?"

Naturally, it was not a pleasant thing to mention those years. Zhao Zhang's smile disappeared immediately, and he gave him a cold look, "Can't this matter be brought up another day?"

Shen Jia thought to herself, of course the conflict should be resolved first, so how can there be any reason to keep a ticking time bomb by your side?

"How about I apologize? I was wrong at the beginning, my mouth was cheap, and I talked nonsense. Your lord will forgive me a lot, right?"

Zhao Zhang raised his brows, and immediately released his aura. Fortunately, Shen Jia was sitting in his arms, no matter how fierce this aura was, it would not hurt him. He only heard him ask: "You also know that you are wrong?"

"I know, I know, I've been regretting it all these years, and I wish I could go back in time, but it's not all my fault, isn't it because of..." Shen Jia didn't want to say anything anymore, after all, she peeked first It was because of his family letter.

"Because of what? Because of the letter the queen mother wrote to me?" Zhao Zhang only found out about this recently. Ling Jingyun came to send the letter to his family to send him back to the capital by the way. When sorting things out that day, I found that the letter had been tampered with.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhao Zhang understood what was going on. At that time, he and Shen Jia's study rooms were entered by each other casually, and there was no secret that could not be shared. The two seemed like a family, so he forgot that Shen Jia might have seen it. that letter.

At that time, the queen mother mentioned in the letter that he should go back to marry a wife. The candidates are all set, and the date is almost set. All it takes is an official groom. It was about to end, and he was still kept in the dark, how angry and sad would Shen Jia be at that time?

Seeing Shen Jia lowering his head and playing with the pendant jade on his belt, Zhao Zhang patted his forehead and asked, "Why didn't you ask? What if I didn't know? What if it was someone else's intentional writing to drive us apart?" What if the letter was intended for you to see?"

Shen Jia suddenly raised her head and stared at him, "Don't think I'm a fool, I've seen that handwriting before, you said it was your mother's handwriting, and you said you married the cousin you've been thinking of, childhood sweetheart, childhood sweetheart, you two are still talking to each other. I gave you a token of love, what am I? It’s just a dewy marriage during your travels, why should I stop you from going back to marry a wife and have children?”

Let alone in this era, even in the 21st century, it is very difficult for men to be together without fear of resistance. God knows how desperate he was when he saw that letter.

Despair makes people crazy, so he did crazy things, which resulted in the two having no contact for three years.