Fake concubine, real queen

In the blink of an eye, it entered October, and the weather in Bianjing began to gradually turn cold.

He Guzi married the eldest princess and became this son-in-law. He has completely become a real wealthy and idle person. He spends all day in fine clothes and fine food, stretches out his hands for clothes, and opens his mouth for food. Do it yourself, now at the princess mansion, not to mention doing it, you don't even need to think about it, there is no need for him to worry, there is a servant who has already arranged everything for him.

It’s strange that the generals don’t dare to be too coquettish and raise their sons. After a while, let alone a young man who has not yet been identified, even a person like He Gu who has spent his entire life on the battlefield in his previous life can be worn down until his bones become soft. .

These days, He Gushu didn't read very well. Even the sword that he didn't practice in the past, now it takes three to five days to remember to touch it once. Rihe and the third prince were soaking in hot springs in Zhuangzi in the suburbs of Beijing, and saw his good figure——

He touched the increasingly blurred abdominal muscles on his lower abdomen again, and then Master He Xiaohou felt a little ashamed. He thought that it would be impossible to go on like this. Although he didn't have to fight in this life, he had to make his body look better, otherwise he would If Riruo grows up to look like Lord Chen's youngest son, sister Yu'er will despise him when she comes back from Zongshan?

Only then did he start to get up early again and practice the sword.

As a son-in-law, even if you fail the imperial examination and have no hope of official career, you can't indulge yourself. After all, if you want to have a stable life, you need to have a reliable emperor's brother-in-law, so you can feel at ease in the future, isn't it——

He Gu also became more and more interested in the business in the shop.

Speaking of this life, He Gu felt that he was lucky. There were two things. The first and most important thing was to be lucky enough to marry the eldest princess and become her husband-in-law; It's Lan Xiao, the money-making genius.

That day when she was arranged to go to Wensheng Bookshop, He Gu was a little bit worried at first, but the shopkeeper Jia cherished himself with a broom and was unwilling to teach Lan Xiao the way of running the shop. He followed her to the shop every day, just to frighten that old man Jia, so that he would know how powerful he was, and don't take Joe in front of Lan Xiao——

Unexpectedly, Lan Xiao sent back all these senior followers, and told He Gu with a smile, in fact, it doesn't have to be like this.

Although He Gu was dubious in his heart, he was also a leader of the army in his previous life, and he felt that since Lan Xiao was appointed, he should not be suspicious of her, and he didn't say much, just let her go.

Unexpectedly, after a while, when he went to the bookstore again, he saw that Lan Xiao and Najia shopkeeper were quite friendly in their conversation.

When He Gu went, he saw Lan Xiao writing on the account book with a pen, and shopkeeper Jia holding an abacus to calculate beside him. The old and the young were chatting and laughing, and shopkeeper Jia took a mouthful of "Miss Xiao". He Xiaohou was taken aback for a while, if he hadn't known what was going on, he would almost have thought that these two were his grandparents.

And he has observed carefully, not only shopkeeper Jia, in the entire Wensheng Bookstore, from the cash register to the clerk, everyone has a good relationship with her, but thinking about it carefully, Lan Xiao is a girl in the Mood for Love, born She is good-looking, can talk, and understands the ways of the world. The most rare thing is——

With real ability, not a vase, it can be convincing.

What's so strange about such a girl being likable?

Under Lan Xiao's management, the business of the bookstore has gradually become orderly and flourishing. In addition, Yan Zhiya gave her some clever ideas from time to time. In just three months, Wensheng Bookstore has been posting The money situation has actually improved——

Started turning a profit.

Anyway, He Gu was convinced by her. Even Lan Xiao told him that if the situation was better in the future, he might be able to open branches outside Beijing. He Gu also felt that it was feasible. If it was three months ago, he would definitely To become Lan Xiao was ignorant of the heights of the heavens and the earth, and a fool's dream, but now He Gu believed from the bottom of his heart that Lan Xiao had this ability.

As for the other shops, the largest silk and satin shop, and another restaurant, He Gu also asked Lan Xiao to take care of them——

He originally thought that Lan Xiao was a woman after all, and her energy was limited. If she couldn't take care of it, he would find some more people who could take care of it. The more the better.

It's not even these three stores, the medical clinic opened by Yan Zhiya in Beijing, because she really can't afford enough money for two plates of her favorite store, firstly, He Gu trusts her ability, secondly, he also intends to thank her one or two , so he set up a storefront for her, and made an appointment with Yan Zhiya. In the future, the medical clinic will receive money.

Lan Xiao and Yan Zhiya have a good relationship, so they simply took care of the accounts of the medical clinic. These days, several shops are running back and forth without even touching the ground, and they don't see anyone all day long.

Yan Zhiya would shake her head again and again when she saw it, and sighed: "So there are ninety-six here too."

He Xiaohou was at a loss.

It's just that although he didn't know what [-] was, seeing Lan Xiao being so busy, he still felt a little bit uneasy, and he paid her several times the moon money, that's all.

However, although Master He Xiaohou was thinking about the shop, he still remembered the Third Highness who was staying in the mansion.

It happened to be cold now, and He Gu was thinking about Yanfu's little sister, so he asked his servants to choose a few pieces of good material from their own silk shop, and made some beautiful clothes for Xiao Herong, and gave them to Yanfu's elders, The cousin made a whole body by himself.

It's a pity that sister Yu'er is far away in Zongshan, and he can't care about her, so he can only care about her younger brother. He also chose a few pieces of high-quality material for the third highness, and bought two winter clothes. The servant asked He Gu San Highness about his stature, and was a little surprised to see that he answered fluently. Xindao said that the son-in-law and the Third Highness are indeed relative uncles, and they even knew His Highness's size. This is really an unusually good relationship.

The clothes were ready, and He Gu was about to take the new clothes to find the Third Highness, but unexpectedly, on this day, the Third Highness came to him by himself.

The eldest princess has been away for many days, but He Gu still lives in the side courtyard, and has never touched a single piece of decoration in her main courtyard, but asks servants to clean it every day.

At this moment, His Highness the Third Highness was sitting with him in the main hall of the side courtyard. When He Gu saw him coming, his expression was solemn, and he dismissed a group of servants. Said: "Zihuan, I'm afraid you won't believe what happened today, but I have asked Chengwei to check it carefully. There are all witnesses and material evidences, and there will be no fakes."

He Gu asked suspiciously: "Your Highness, what is it?"

Pei Zhaoheng raised his eyes to look at him, turned his head to signal Cheng Wei to hand him something, Cheng Wei understood it, and sure enough, he stepped forward in two steps, bowed and raised his hand to present a letter.

He Gu took the letter, looked at Pei Zhaoheng blankly, then opened the envelope in his hand, shook and unfolded the thin letter paper in the envelope, he held the teacup in his left hand, and the letter paper in his right hand, but——

Just after reading two or three lines, He Gu's face twitched violently twice, his eyes were full of unbelievable shock, he put the teacup on the desk beside him carelessly, his hand holding the letterhead was a little bit Trembling slightly.

He Gu glanced at ten lines, and quickly finished reading the first page, and then turned to the second page. After he finished reading all four pages of letterhead, his eyes fell on the two heavily pressed red handprints at the bottom, and his expression finally returned. I can't hold back anymore.

He Gu's lips trembled uncontrollably, and after a while he asked dryly, "This... is this true?"

Pei Zhaoheng said: "The children of those two families have been found, and their fingerprints are all there. How can there be any fakes?"

He Gu was silent for a while, and then stood up from the bench in a "crack", his voice was a little dry and hoarse, but the hatred in his tone was not concealed at all, he just paused every word Said: "This bitch..."

"...I will definitely make her blind in one eye, and pay for the grievances Brother Cheng has suffered all these years!"

Pei Zhaoheng had expected that He Gu would be like this, so he just said lightly: "Don't be impatient, Zihuan, she will have her retribution, but now, you have to think about it, the second son is on your family tree, and it is still in your family tree." Under her knees, do you want to always be like this?"

He Gu's chest heaved rapidly for a moment, and his fingers trembled slightly because of the sudden truth that had been buried for more than ten years. For a moment, his mind was filled with anger, and it went blank. After a while, he calmed down a little, and said: "I... …Of course I don’t want to, but my family is also hereditary and nobility, the birth of a nephew, and the genealogy book is included in the ancestral hall, all of which need to be approved by the court. Now that it’s been so many years...how should I change it?”

Pei Zhaoheng was silent for a while, and said: "That's why I asked you today. If you want to change the honorary clan book, you must ask the Holy Will. If you want the second son to recognize his biological mother and change it back to the clan book, I can help you." Second Young Master, clarify this matter with your father and ask for grace, but... then you will have to bring this matter to the Yamen of Bianjing Mansion, and make it clear."

"But if this is the case, by then...your father's doting on concubines, destroying his wives, and condoning wicked wives will be known to everyone in the world. At that time, the Marquis of Changyang's Mansion will probably lose face."

"If you want to leave a little bit of room, then you can only settle it in private at your home. I'm afraid the Second Young Master's book will not be changed."

He Gu was silent for a while, then suddenly sneered and said, "...who is leaving room for?"

"...It's his face that's lost, not mine, let alone Cheng'er's. If he really loses his reputation, it will be his retribution."

"It's just, about the book..."

Pei Zhaoheng stood up, looked down at him and said, "There's no need to worry, this matter is up to me."

------

The palace, the palace of government.

The end of noon was always the time when the emperor rested. No matter who came on weekdays, he would either be rejected or had to wait honestly. Wang Zhonglu would not let him in at all.

But the one who came today, before he could refuse politely, the sage in the hall heard the commotion outside, and shouted from a distance through the hall door: "Is it Heng'er?"

Wang Zhonglu had no choice but to walk to the gate of the palace, bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, it's His Highness the Third."

The emperor said, "Tell him to come in."

Wang Zhonglu quickly responded, His Majesty Xindao is really kind to His Highness the Third Highness...Let's think of His Highness the Crown Prince who has frequently offended Tianyan recently...

If it weren't for the fact that His Highness the Third Highness is really relaxed and doesn't have such thoughts, I'm afraid it's hard to say who will be on the throne of the Great Yue Dynasty in the future...

He felt emotional in his heart, but his face still had the same unshakable, spring-like smile on his face, and said: "Third Highness, Your Majesty asked you to come in, please go ahead."

When Pei Zhaoheng entered the gate of the Lanzheng Palace, Wang Zhonglu greeted the officials in the palace with winks, and all followed him out.

At this moment, only the emperor and the third prince and his son were left in the palace. The emperor looked at the little son, and his nerves, which had been tense in recent days, relaxed slightly. How? Are you still used to it?"

Pei Zhaoheng lifted his hem, knelt down and said, "Father Lao is concerned, everything is fine with my son."

His appearance made the emperor frowned slightly, he knew the nature of this son very well in his heart, and knew that if he had nothing to ask him, he would definitely not look like this, and he would not come looking for him at this time , and asked: "Don't be cautious, just tell me, what's the matter?"

Pei Zhaoheng paused for a moment, and didn't beat around the bush, he just told the emperor everything about He Gu's family.

Finally he kowtowed, and said: "Father, the second son of the Changyang Marquis Mansion should have been born to Mrs. Yuanpei. After being transferred back then, he was blinded for no reason and ruined his official career. It is already embarrassing. If you want to remember it under the knee of the person who harmed him, and recognize the thief as your mother, it will make people lament the injustice of the heavens. The son-in-law is the eldest brother of the second son of He, and because of this, he has misunderstood and alienated him for many years. When the son-in-law sees him, he will feel sad Qi Ran wanted to ask for a favor from the emperor, if the Bianjing government can find out the case, can they change the He family book and put the second son back under the birth mother's lap?"

After the emperor heard it, he was stunned for a moment, and then said in surprise: "There is such a bizarre thing?"

Pei Zhaoheng said: "The evidence is all there, there is no mistake."

The emperor was silent for a while, then frowned and said: "If this is the case, the second son's eyes are indeed blind because of this. This woman is indeed a poisonous woman. Naturally, his family tree book should be changed. I agree, you can get up." .”

Only then did Pei Zhaoheng stand up and said, "Thank you, Father, for your kindness."

The emperor smiled and said: "You have always been cold-tempered, and you don't like to meddle in other people's business. Today, you are here to ask me for the He family's family affairs. I'm afraid it's not for the second son, but for the son-in-law, right?"

The fingers under Pei Zhaoheng's sleeves tightened slightly, and said: "...Father Huang Shengming."

"...The son-in-law is pure, kind and honest. The second son-in-law is his own younger brother, but he hasn't known each other all these years. Although the second son-in-law is young, he is also a diligent and studious person, my son..."

The emperor sat down in front of the royal case, waved his hands and said: "Heng'er doesn't need to explain, I know what you're thinking, you feel that you have harmed He Gu and have no future, so you can't help but feel guilty and always want to make up for him. You can't owe him, that's why you can't see him, and you can't see his family members being wronged, and you always want to protect him, don't you?"

Pei Zhaoheng lowered his eyes and said nothing.

"You want to protect the son-in-law, and I didn't say anything wrong. When he married you, it was my Pei family who felt sorry for him. I will allow you to join the governor of Bianjing Prefecture as a prince for this case in his family. Supervise the case throughout.”

Pei Zhaoheng was taken aback for a moment, raised his head slightly, and glanced at the emperor's father, only to see that there was a warm smile on his slightly wrinkled face, and there was no displeasure on his face.

The emperor said: "Since Heng'er cared about and brought up the matter, you can deal with it easily. When the case is concluded, I will personally order to change his family's family book, and allow the second son of the He family to take the exam as usual. The governor of the government should not be dismissed arbitrarily because of his blindness, is that okay?"

Pei Zhaoheng immediately knelt down, kowtowed and said: "The son-in-law, on behalf of the son-in-law, the second son thanked the father, the emperor, for his kindness."

But the emperor didn't know why, looked at His Highness's kneeling son, sighed, and said: "Heng'er...Have you ever thought that I am still here, and can help you protect the things and people you care about?" , if I'm not here in the future, what will you do?"

The emperor's question was very meaningful, and Pei Zhaoheng's heart skipped a beat when he heard it. He didn't even raise his head, but still knelt down, and said: "Father, the emperor will live forever and live in peace and happiness."

The emperor said: "Today only you and my father and son are here. You don't have to be like this. Although I am the Ninth Five-Year Supreme, I am also a mortal body. I will live, grow old, get sick and die. Love, parting, resentment, and hatred will never be able to ask...No one can escape... Always There is a day when you will come down from this throne...your elder brother and second brother are thinking about that day...could it be...that Heng'er really doesn't think about it at all?"

"...You don't have to kneel down, just get up and talk."

Pei Zhaoheng got up according to his words, but when he got up, he saw the emperor looking at him with eyes that were both deep and meaningful. The emperor's father's expression seemed to have seen everything in his heart thoroughly, but also seemed to have nothing to do. I know, I was really expecting him to answer.

... And he himself, really didn't want to?

He closed his eyes, but suddenly appeared in front of his eyes the empress Chen's earnest and earnest face on the day before he married He Gucheng.

……

"...Becoming a prince, it seems that you will change into a different look, but I still like the son who picked up the lamp for me by the river, not your father's current appearance... You say, being a prince , Is being an emperor happy? I see that your father is not very happy... In short, you must remember to persuade him, don't let him be confused, there is nothing wrong with being an idle prince... The queen mother's life , I don’t have any other thoughts, I just hope that both of you, siblings, will be well, healthy and smooth for the rest of your life, full of children and grandchildren.”

……

He wanted to answer Mr. Jun, saying that he had no unreasonable thoughts, but the next moment, He Gu's hint in the soup pool appeared in his mind brightly.

……

Zihuan said: A person’s life is only a few dozen years. If there is something you want or care about, it is better to work hard than to put it in the hands of others, let others control it, and beg for mercy. One hand, even if it fails in the end, it can be regarded as no regrets.

……

Pei Zhaoheng remained silent.

Did he really think nothing of that position?

If he didn't, maybe he could deceive others... But at this moment, he couldn't deceive himself anymore.

Especially in the past few days, after he realized that he had misunderstood He Gu——

Between Zihuan's words and talks... If he really didn't, his admiration and infatuation for the eldest princess would not be able to be pretended.

He Gu is always out of the house. When he was still the "Eldest Princess", he never thought about it. He only thought that He Gu was a young man who lost his future and lost interest in studying and practicing martial arts. It's useless, so I always think he's out to have fun.

But that day, Tangchi, after hearing He Gu's remarks about "managing the industry so that the eldest princess can live comfortably for the rest of her life", naturally became a little more concerned, and asked Cheng Wei to check it out. What, sure enough - only then did I know that He Gu was spending all day in those shops in Beijing, and Lan Xiao... was just taking care of the family property for him.

Zihuan...was infatuated with his "sister Yu'er"...and never had any sweet words.

He never lied to anyone.

But I... lied to him.

It is true that this matter was a mistake at the beginning, and it was not what he wanted, but now that the mistake has been made, the more he found out that He Gu was infatuated, the colder his heart became.

In the end, there was only a bone-chilling coldness left.

It was only then that he discovered that in his heart, he had been secretly and pathologically expecting Zihuan to be an amorous person, so Pei Zhaoheng still had a three-point possibility of entering He Zihuan's heart.

...But now, no matter how much he deceived himself and others, he knew that he would not be able to.

……

Seeing him suddenly startled, the emperor frowned, and called out, "Heng'er?"

Pei Zhaoheng was taken aback, and then suddenly came back to his senses,

The emperor said: "Why don't you speak, I'm asking you, don't you think so at all?"

There's none?

No, there is.

Pei Zhaoheng knew it well.

Sitting in that position, he is rich in the world, rich in the country, rich in everything, even... people who don't belong to him in his heart.

At this moment, if he hadn't been pressed by his father, he would never have examined his heart so clearly——

He has become greedy.

greedy, nasty.

……

But Pei Zhaoheng was silent for a moment, and just said in a low voice: "Brother is the rightful and righteous Duke of the Eastern Palace. If I dare to have any unreasonable thoughts, it is treason. How dare I."

The emperor looked at him without saying a word, his expression sank, his face was as frosty, it was shocking to watch.

If it wasn't Pei Zhaoheng who was in front of him at this moment, anyone else would probably have his legs go weak from the emperor's skate-like gaze.

After a long while, the emperor suppressed his smile, and said lightly: "Very good, Heng'er remembers her duty, since that's the case, she must remember what she said today."

"Go ahead."

Pei Zhaoheng agreed, then turned and left.

The third prince left, Wang Zhonglu saw him off, then walked into the hall with small steps, carefully and secretly looked at the emperor's expression, he couldn't help but thump in his heart.

He was thinking about it, just now His Majesty had a clear look on his face, what did His Majesty say that made His Majesty suddenly turn dark, but he heard the emperor sighed and said: "...Man."

Wang Zhonglu dared not speak.

But then the emperor said: "If I was like this back then...now...I'm afraid I can't keep A Rong and Heng'er mother and son."

"Although I have a heart...but he is the least like me."

Wang Zhonglu's eyelids twitched, as if he hadn't heard anything.

But the emperor suddenly said: "Zhonglu, you go out of the palace yourself, go to Xuanwangting and come into the palace."

Wang Zhonglu bowed and said yes, and exited the palace gate.

----

When Pei Zhaoheng left the palace, he happened to pass by the shimmering lotus pond in the imperial garden. Now that the flowers have withered, only the green lotus leaves are left in the pond, swaying in the wind.

He suddenly stopped, looked in a certain direction by the pool, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Cheng Wei asked cautiously: "Your Highness? What's the matter..."

Before the words were finished, His Highness the Third Highness suddenly said: "...Have you ever eaten lotus pods?"

Cheng Wei was baffled by his question, scratched his head, and said: "I... I ate it when I was young, but it's been a long time, why does Your Highness suddenly ask this..."

His Highness the Third Highness didn't look at him, his peach blossom eyes only looked in one direction all the time, and said in a low voice: "...I don't want to be so selfish either."

Cheng Wei didn't hear what he was saying clearly, and was about to ask again——

"But if you're not selfish..."

"No one will ever ask me that again."

This time Cheng Wei heard it clearly, but Monk Zhang Er was still puzzled, and asked at a loss, "What are you asking?"

His Highness the Third Prince glanced at him and said, "Have you ever eaten lotus pods?"

Cheng Wei: "???"

What are you talking about today, Your Highness? ?

He was simply dumbfounded.

----------

On the seventh day of October, a sensational case occurred in Bianjing City.

This case arose from the in-laws of today's sons and daughters, the Marquis of Changyang.

The son-in-law of He Xiaohou, who became the son-in-law of the emperor, personally beat the drum in front of the yamen of Bianjing, and sued his biological father, Changyang Marquis He Nanfeng, for spoiling his concubine and destroying his wife; The wife's flesh and blood, concealed the truth, embezzled the dowry after raising his wife, treated the orphan harshly, and demanded that the government government strictly examine the case.

As the saying goes, it is difficult for an upright official to decide on housework, but this housework comes from the sons and daughters of the emperor and the lord's family. Naturally, it is a hot potato, and no one wants to touch it.

Moreover, the son-in-law personally sued this matter, and he did not hesitate to tear his face apart, causing the Hou family to lose all face, which shows the deep discord between Changyang Hou and his son.

This matter... If you take care of it too carefully, you will offend the old Hou Ye, but if you don't take care of it wholeheartedly, you will offend the son-in-law and the eldest princess...

No one wants to offend...or let's get along with each other...

The current governor of Bianjing Prefecture, Master Qi Suqi thinks so.

Unexpectedly, he was complaining bitterly in his heart, secretly taking care of his own bad luck, why did such a bad luck happen to him, and the imperial decree from the palace came down over there.

The emperor personally ordered Pei Zhaoheng, the third son of the emperor, to supervise the whole process, and cooperated with the prefect Qi Su to investigate and conclude the case without any mistakes.

As soon as the news spread, the whole city of Bianjing was in an uproar, from the honorable nobles to the common people.

It's really lively and lively.

When the third prince received the imperial decree, the first thing he did was to transfer the guards of the palace to arrest the Changyanghou couple and send them to prison for Mr. Qi Suqi who was still dawdling.

The arrest warrant was thrown down the hall, and seeing Lord Qi still dumbfounded, Pei Zhaoheng said indifferently: "Does your lord think there is anything wrong?"

Lord Qi: "..."

After a long while, he finally laughed dryly and said: "... of course, there is no such thing."

I dare not have it, I dare not have it.