Fake concubine, real queen

When He Gu came out from the Lanzheng Palace, the sun was already dim and slightly slanted, and when he left the Supreme Harmony Gate, the sky was completely dark.

He had slept in the Lanzheng Palace for more than two hours, so he was in good spirits at this moment. Before the carriage reached the West Street, the night market outside was brightly lit, and there were endless laughter and noisy voices. He Gu Li drove Lianzi took a glance, seeing such a bustling scene, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

He only said, "Tell the coachman to stop."

Zhengye was a little puzzled, and said: "What's the matter, what did you remember?"

For so many years, no matter others call him Young Master He Gu, son-in-law or general, Zheng Ye always calls him Lord, never changed.

Maybe it's such a good day today, it's so smoked that people are three points drunk even without drinking, He Gu deliberately teased him, so he said with a narrow smile: "Although there's nothing wrong with it, it's just that we came back to Beijing with great difficulty, and you have something to do now People in the family, although Miss Yan has married you, she is still a woman in her prime, don't you want to buy her some gifts so that you can go home to please her?"

Zhengye didn't expect him to stop the carriage for this reason, he was a little stunned for a moment, then he scratched the back of his head and smiled innocently, and said: "What the Lord said is true, but I forgot it by mistake, but...Aya, she and the other side She understands righteousness and is reasonable, so even if I forget it for a moment, she will not blame me for this kind of thing."

He Gu couldn't help but give him a blank look, and said: "If someone is magnanimous, you don't care about it. What's the reason for this? Don't you have to push your nose and face?"

Zhengye: "..."

He Gu didn't talk nonsense with him anymore, he lifted the curtain of the carriage door and got out without looking back, he just said: "Today is a rare opportunity, in such a lively night market, come out and buy some rouge for your wife Things, the left and right are not far away, let's just walk back."

He ran fast, and Zhengye didn't stop him for a moment, seeing how vigorously he jumped out of the carriage, he almost forgot that he was pregnant now.

But he could only keep up honestly, and couldn't help muttering in a low voice: "...Actually, you want to go shopping by yourself?"

Naturally, He Gu couldn't hear it.

The long street is full of lights and bustling with people. From time to time, there are three or five girls covered with tulle or veiled hats, walking through it, women talking and laughing in low voices, and there are street vendors selling food, Or the loud shouts of peddling stuff, a pure world of smoke and fire.

Such a scene is absolutely unseen in the Northland.

When they saw the vermilion gate of the Princess Mansion from a distance, He Gu Zhengye and his master and servant had unknowingly many large and small bags in their hands.

Zhengye said, "Are you still shopping?"

Although He Gu was a little unfinished, but thinking of the little Baoyin girl who was still waiting for him at home, he shook his head and said, "Go back."

Even though he said that, he still turned his head and glanced at the bustling street market that was still bustling and covered with a warm yellow halo. For some reason, someone with a smile in the corner of his eyes and slightly pursed lips appeared in his mind. profile.

After a long while, he came back to his senses, and found out who he was thinking about, and he couldn't help being a little stunned.

what……

In today's market, if brother Heng is here and can swim with him, then... that would be great.

When he first married the "Eldest Princess", He Gu fantasized more than once about dressing her and combing her hair, painting her eyebrows and makeup, enjoying the fireworks with her, and living with her forever...

Now that the sweetheart has become a man, it's all right, but he has become the Ninth Five-Year Supreme. It is no longer possible to wear clothes, brush hair, eyebrows and make-up. He must be the only one in the future bustle and lights...

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little lost, he sighed a little, and said to himself——

He Zihuan, He Zihuan.

People's hearts are not enough to swallow elephants, now that Brother Heng is sitting on this dragon chair, and he can still stay with you, you should be content, how can you be so unsatisfied and look forward to Shu?

Only when you are content can you be happy.

Zhengye was watching from the side, but he saw his Lord Marquis, who was smiling all over his eyes, but suddenly thought of something, his face suddenly changed, he frowned, sighed, he was also a little puzzled, and couldn't help asking: " Why don't you go, Grandpa...what's the matter?"

He Gu raised his eyes and said with a smile: "It's nothing, I just thought of some annoying things that are not worth mentioning. I'm the one who bothered me. Let's go back."

Zhengye responded, but he didn't move, his eyes were still on his face, with a hint of worry.

He Gu raised his steps and said with a smile: "Look at what I do, let's go, if the sugar figurine bought for the little girl melts later, I will not spare you."

But Zhengye suddenly said: "You don't...you don't have to be too hard on yourself, you're...very sober."

He Gu was taken aback when he heard this.

Zhengye has always been simple-minded, so suddenly he said such a specious and pointed statement, which is somewhat surprising...

And he was vague, but he actually understood a little bit.

Even so, He Gu didn't answer, just looked back at him, raised his lips and smiled, then turned around and walked towards the door of the princess mansion without looking back.

After returning to the mansion, I found out that the second elder of the Yan family was also waiting at the princess mansion. Seeing him was of course a great deal of care and concern. The family finally had a reunion dinner. Little girl Baoyin met her father and bought her a The pile of big and small bags is simply a joy.

All kinds of things like this will not be mentioned again.

The night passed, Xu Shi finally slept in the palace for a long time during the day, and He Gu was not very tired, so he woke up early the next morning before dawn, changed into the court uniform of the temporary Beiying General, washed himself properly, and went to bed. He went out early with Zheng Ye and a group of attendants.

I came early today, when I arrived in front of the palace gate, it was not yet the hour, the ministers waiting here gathered in twos and threes to chat and chat, waiting for the palace gate to open.

As soon as the chariots and horses stopped in front of the palace gate, He Gu obviously felt the silence of the people around him, and many eyes looked at him with scrutiny, curiosity, disgust, or enthusiasm, he didn't make a big fuss, just Unknowingly, he jumped down from the carriage, brushed off his clothes and robes, adjusted his appearance a little, and waited in front of the palace gate.

Just standing there for a while, compared to the crowds of other people, the situation of General He standing here alone is inexplicably a little bit sparse.

In fact, since he took over the Twelve Guards at the beginning, in the three years before Brother Heng ascended the throne, what he did as the commander of the Twelve Guards was not the first day he ended up in front of this palace. Those people can still just spit on him without any burden, call him a dog, a lackey, a ruthless, disrespectful and courteous person——

But today he deserved the illustrious military exploits of repelling Bei Rong and saving the people of the seven cities of Wuling Mansion from fire and water, but they can no longer cast aside him without any psychological burden as before.

He Gu just thought it was a little funny.

After all, in the past two lifetimes, no matter whether Pei Zhaoyuan was the emperor in the previous life or Brother Heng was the king in this life, he, He Zihuan, has never had a good relationship with everyone.

It's just that He Gu originally thought that the fate of standing alone at the gate of the palace until the gate of the palace opened did not really come true.

"Zihuan, you're back in Beijing."

He Gu was taken aback when he heard this voice, and turned his head to see that it was Wang Muchuan, the second brother Wang whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Second Brother Wang is wearing a dark blue court dress from the Sixth Rank Imperial Academy, his hair is neat and tidy, his back is still as straight as he remembers, and he is looking at him with a pair of three white eyes without any waves. , Wangzhi's painting style is very sober and refined, and it looks particularly eye-catching or... out of place in the crowd.

He Gu smiled and said: "So it's the second brother, long time no see, the second brother is... I haven't been in Beijing for a long time, and I missed the second brother's promotion. I haven't congratulated the second brother yet. I will definitely make up the congratulations in another day."

Wang Muchuan walked up to him, and said flatly: "Zihuan has indeed grown up, and now he handles things so well and smoothly, which shows that he has grown up."

With his usual yin and yang strangeness, He Gu somehow felt kind. He couldn't help laughing when he heard this, touched his nose and said, "That's not true. How could it be possible to only grow in appetite but not gain knowledge? Wouldn't it be a fool."

Hearing the words, Wang Muchuan glanced at him coolly, let out a "hum" in his nasal cavity, and said, "Slick tongue."

Both of them seemed to have completely forgotten Wang Muchuan's drunken talk on the day of He Cheng's celebration banquet.

After Wang Muchuan finished humming, he lowered his voice a little, and said: "I heard from my father what happened yesterday, and I believe you will get a big reward in today's court meeting. You should pay attention to your words and deeds these days, and don't get too carried away and give others excuses." , causing trouble for the upper body in the future."

He Gu smiled slightly, and said: "Thank you for your concern, second brother, I can reflect on myself."

After a pause, he said again: "By the way, these days, I also want to thank my second brother for speaking for me in court."

Wang Muchuan seemed to be slightly taken aback when he heard the words, but he didn't reply when he came back to his senses, he just looked at him expressionlessly, and after a long time, he said: "You and I have known each other since we were young, so why bother to say thank you."

At this moment, the tightly closed palace gate finally opened with a "squeak".

Second brother Wang's guess was really good. As soon as the court meeting started today, the emperor talked about the matter of congratulating the general's squadron on his return to the court yesterday, and rewarding the soldiers of the North for their meritorious deeds.

Gong Yun obviously didn't dare to slack off when he went back yesterday. He had asked the people in the Ministry of War to stay up all night and work overtime to finalize the rewards for the meritorious men of Chenghe. No objection.

Pei Zhaoheng said: "I asked Mr. Gong to temporarily arrange the job of meritorious deeds and rewards yesterday. It's no wonder that you were able to draw up the rules and regulations so quickly, and they were so proper. It's really good. It's a love minister from the Ministry of War who sorted out the papers. ?”

A servant in the Ministry of War who looked about forty years old and had a slight beard heard the words, immediately stood up and bowed with his wat in his hand, and said, "Your Majesty's praise is worthy of your Majesty's praise for your duty, Yin Ke, a doctor in the Ministry of War."

Pei Zhaoheng nodded and said, "Very good."

He said again: "In this case, since all the ministers have no objection to the regulations of the Ministry of War, then let's go about it like this."

He Gu followed up and said "Your Majesty is wise", but he was inexplicably worried——

Now that the rewards of the officers and soldiers have been fixed, Brother Heng said about his rewards in the Lanzheng Palace yesterday, and he has his own ideas at the court meeting today... It's also my fault that he was intoxicated in the gentle village yesterday, completely forgot to ask him about his business, and had no idea what he was planning. How to reward yourself...

If it is just to give some silver and silk rewards and a farm house, that would be fine, after all, the military achievements of the Northland this time are obvious to all, no matter how displeased he is, he will not be able to find any faults, I am afraid that Brother Heng is going to make some troubles What an extraordinary operation...

He Gu thought of his bad premonition on the road, and his vague speculation about Pei Zhaoheng's plan, his eyelids really started to twitch this time.

Sure enough, he was mentioned there.

It's just that after He Gu heard what Pei Zhaoheng said, he was slightly taken aback, and when he came back to his senses, there were already others who couldn't hold back even earlier than him.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is inappropriate."

Pei Zhaoheng slightly suppressed the smile on his face, looked at the hunched veteran who was holding the court wat, and said indifferently: "Oh? What does Lu Zhongcheng think is wrong?"

The old minister gave a slight bow, and did not raise his eyes to see the emperor's expression, but said slowly: "General He's quelling the Beirong chaos this time has indeed solved the urgent need of the court. It is still young, and even standing before it is too late. Looking at it, not to mention this dynasty, there has never been a precedent for worshiping a duke at such a young age in all dynasties. When the first emperor was there, Wen Xiuming, Uncle Wen, rode a horse for our country all his life, fighting south and north , the first emperor only granted him an earl."

"The veteran doesn't think that your majesty can't confer rewards on General He, and my colleagues at Yushitai are not as narrow-minded and jealous as some people say, and don't see your majesty appointing virtuous generals and capable ministers. It's just that your majesty is enthroned. Not long ago, I still lack some experience in dealing with things. If today he congratulates the general on his achievements in the north and worships the duke of the country, he should be like Uncle Wen. General He and his like, who are less than half their age, how can they be so embarrassing, how can they deal with themselves?"

After Lu Zhongcheng finished speaking, the entire Chongwen Hall was silent, and needles could be heard.

He Gu immediately felt countless gazes falling on him whether intentionally or unintentionally, staring straight at him, and he began to feel a little nervous.

Pei Zhaoheng didn't answer, but just looked at Lu Zhongcheng who hung his head and said nothing, after a long time, he chuckled lightly and said, "Is there anything Zhongcheng has to say?"

Lu Zhongcheng was taken aback for a moment, he didn't think he would have expected the emperor to react like this, but he still bowed slightly and said, "The minister is finished."

Pei Zhaoheng said: "Okay."

"I understand what you said just now, so I'm here to ask you, do you think I shouldn't give He Gu the title because He Gu's achievements in the Northland this time are not enough?"

Lu Zhongcheng's beard trembled twice, and he said after a while: "Old minister...Old minister..."

He wanted to say that was indeed the case, but when he thought about it carefully, He Gu repelled Beirong in only two months this time, and even captured Khan Muda alive and sent him back to the capital. Yes, during the years of the late emperor's reign, Wen Xiuming has almost never failed in the southern and northern wars, but who would have thought that his first defeat would be the most important first match after the late emperor's accession to the throne?

He Gu not only won a battle that Wen Xiuming couldn't win, but He Gu also won so beautifully. If he denies He Gu's achievements, he is undoubtedly denying that even such a worthless battle was not worth mentioning. Uncle Wen, who was able to win, faintly contradicted himself with the words he praised Wen Xiuming just now.

Lu Zhongcheng only got: "Old minister... this old minister didn't mean that."

Pei Zhaoheng nodded, and said slowly: "Since that's the case, then Lu Zhongcheng also agrees, I think this merit is enough for He Gu Jinjue?"

Lu Zhongcheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes... but congratulations to General He..."

Pei Zhaoheng said: "Since it's not because of this, then Lu Zhongcheng thinks that I shouldn't give General He the title, but because he is too young to convince the public?"

Lu Zhongcheng answered quickly this time: "...that's true."

Pei Zhaoheng closed his eyes slightly, and after a long time, he said slowly and clearly, "The Taizu started in troubled times, but he was only 16 years old. He ruled Jiangluo and Yueyi, and at the age of 23 he killed the ex-Yan Dynasty Emperor Guangshan. The Yan Dynasty Emperor was more than 28 years older than the Taizu Emperor. According to Zhong Cheng, my Taizu Emperor was also unable to convince the public?"

Lu Zhongcheng was stunned for less than a moment, his face turned pale immediately, a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, he knelt down and kowtowed with a "plop" and said: "Your Majesty is serious, how dare I, I have no such intention! !"

There was still silence in Chongwen Hall.

Pei Zhaoheng looked at Lu Zhongcheng who was kneeling at the bottom with a calm expression, neither sad nor happy, and said: "No, that would be the best, Zhongcheng please get up."

The emperor told him to wake up. Although Lu Zhongcheng was still worried, he couldn't get up, so he stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He Guben was also a little surprised that Brother Heng originally gave him a reward to be promoted to the He family. No wonder he said yesterday when he said that he would bestow a house, "Anyway, you will not be the Marquis of Changyang anymore", but he didn't pay attention at that time... …

But seeing another official from Yushitai walk out behind Lu Zhongcheng, he cupped his hands and said in a respectful voice: "I have a book to play."

This man, He Gu, has a somewhat friendly face, as if he has seen him somewhere before.

Pei Zhaoheng said: "Quite playing."

The man then said: "I think that your Majesty's comparison with General He, the Taizu Emperor of our country, is inevitably biased, and it is inevitable that He Gu is too flattering."

"My emperor Taizu established the foundation for all generations, and He Gu only won a few battles. How can He De be compared with Taizu?"

As soon as he said this, there was some commotion among the courtiers in the hall, and there was a faint echo.

Zhai'er, who was standing behind the throne, saw that the emperor did not speak, but his eyelids drooped slightly, and a bad premonition rose in his heart, he frowned, looked at the bottom and shouted loudly: "Quiet—Quiet—"

Only then did the courtiers calm down, and Pei Zhaoheng looked expressionlessly at the doctor Yushitai who had spoken just now, and said: "You are right, the merits of Taizu are indeed unmatched by anyone, but Mr. Zhao Don't you forget that when you entered Yushitai as a fellow Jinshi, you walked away from the back door of your teacher, Lu Yue, Lu Zhongcheng, a fellow examiner of Bianjing Prefecture in Guanghua for six years, who promoted you The official department still records the reason why a three-ranked Jinshi broke the rules and was promoted to Yushitai. It is to appreciate that you are younger than the weak crown, but you are knowledgeable and upright..."

He paused while talking, raised his eyes and twitched the corners of his mouth with a half-smile, and said, "Is what I said right?"

Now it was not only Zhao Bingzhi who turned pale, but also Lu Yue who was afraid that he would be even more pale next to him.

"Although I am also a little puzzled, why Lu Zhongcheng appreciated your talent, but Mr. Zhao only passed the examination as a third-ranked Jinshi. I think Mr. Zhao has other talents that I have never seen before. "

"It's just that Mr. Zhao was the stepping stone for this extraordinary promotion when he was young. Now it can't be seen that I follow the laws and regulations of this dynasty, and reward meritorious generals in a reasonable way. I'm a little puzzled... What is the reason? Why don't you explain it to me in front of civil and military officials today, and don't say that I made things difficult for you, how about it?"

When Zhao Bingzhi heard this, his mind went blank, and he couldn't explain it.

At the beginning, thanks to the favor of his master, he was promoted to Yushitai in an extraordinary way. It was already the old Huangli almost 20 years ago. I really didn't expect how the emperor knew about it——

Although this kind of thing is not very bright, it is not uncommon in the court, so although some people know that there was such an old thing when Zhao Bingzhi was promoted to Yushitai over the years, they will not bring it up Mouth.

On the contrary, he was famous in the court for his honesty, honesty, and unafraid of wrath.

But time has passed, and fewer and fewer people know about that incident. By now, even Zhao Bingzhi himself has almost forgotten about it.

I don't want to be exposed by the emperor in front of all civil and military officials now.

Zhao Bingzhi was punished several times before for impeachment, but he never cared about it, and sometimes he was even a little proud of it. After all, every time he offended the emperor, was fined, or dismissed from his post and left home, he was still unscathed in the end , the officer returned to his original post.

But today, even though the emperor didn't fine him his salary, nor dismissed him from his position, Zhao Bingzhi felt that he had never been so suffocated, so dumb, in front of everyone's eyes of surprise, sneer, or sympathy. Speechless.

Seeing that Lu Yue and Zhao Bingzhi were silent, Pei Zhaoheng didn't say anything more, just glanced at them lightly, and then looked away.

At this moment, His Highness heard a somewhat low and hoarse voice.

"The minister has a book to play."

He Gu was slightly startled when he heard this voice, turned his head to look, it was not someone else who was speaking, but it turned out to be Wen Xiuming, Uncle Wen, who had fought with him for a long time in the previous life, but in this life he had never met.

Pei Zhaoheng said: "Quite playing."

Wen Xiuming cleared his throat, and then said: "More than two months ago, I was fighting with the Beirong people in Chenghe. I accidentally fell into the plot of the army dog ​​and was seriously injured. His Majesty's great trust, His Majesty's benevolence, did not convict his ministers, nor cut off his noble salary, these days the ministers stayed at home to recuperate from their injuries, and His Majesty cared for them repeatedly, every time I think of the Emperor's lenient treatment, my heart is full of tears."

"I said these things at the court meeting today, not intending to flatter your majesty, but just to prove my innocence. Just now, the censors Tailu and Zhao, the two adults, must mention Wen in order to damage the achievements of the general. Listen to me It’s in my ears, I really don’t agree with it, and I don’t want to take the blame.”

Pei Zhaoheng laughed a little when he heard this, and said, "The blame? How do you say that?"

Wen Xiuming's face turned solemn and he said: "You should be rewarded for your meritorious deeds, and punished for your demerits. I'm a member of the army. Although I don't understand Confucianism, Taoism, and ethics, I do know that these two iron laws in the army are applicable everywhere. General He Clearly made a great contribution, His Majesty will be rewarded according to the law, why not? What's wrong?"

"If you turn a blind eye to his military exploits just because of his age, what is the difference between His Majesty and the former Yan Emperor's behavior of allowing others to be traitors and not arguing about loyalty?"

"I don't have the slightest criticism of His Majesty's congratulations on congratulating the general, and he is not such a narrow-minded person as Cai Lu and Zhao two lords speculated just now. Please don't listen to their words just now, Your Majesty."

Although He Gu has made outstanding achievements many times now, compared with Wen Xiuming's popularity among the generals, he is naturally not as good. Sure enough, when Wen Xiuming came out, all the generals looked at each other in dismay, and quickly knelt down. Overwhelming a group, one after another echoed: "The ministers and others seconded the proposal."

General He's Duke Yongguo was settled in this way.

On the way home, He Gu was still in a daze, the more he thought about it, the more strange he felt——

Even...even if he and Uncle Wen didn't have any quarrels in this life, Uncle Wen might still like him, but in his previous life, Wen Xiuming, He Gu, knew him very well. But just now at the court meeting, Wen Xiuming could never have imagined such an eloquent, fluent, and moral high ground speech. There must be someone behind him who prepared today's speech for him and held back It didn't happen until Lu Yue and Zhao Bingzhi, the two masters and apprentices, had finished their ugliness...

It's really not unwise.

It is not difficult to guess who the instigator behind the scenes is.