Fake concubine, real queen

The palace, the palace of government.

The emperor sat in front of the imperial case, looking down at the folded paper in his hand with expressionless face, the more he looked at his face, the more his face twitched slightly. His Highness Wang Ting and Mr. Wang stood bowed, silent, like a statue.

There was a complete silence in the palace, and a needle could be heard.

After reading the last line of Zhezi, the emperor let out a long sigh, closed the Zhezi in his hand, and held it in his hand. He sighed, closed his eyes and leaned back on the dragon chair behind him, raised his head and said nothing...

His expression seemed rather tired.

After a while, he slowly said: "...Give me a seat for Mr. Wang."

The internal officials in the palace responded quickly, moving a bench swiftly, Wang Tinghe first bowed his hands to thank him, and then turned around and sat down.

The emperor said: "Old Wang is so old, this trip to Jiangluo and preside over the rebuilding errand should not have been assigned to Wang Lao to make you work hard, but I am the most trustworthy now, and the most important person in this dynasty. Seriously, the one who made me rest assured to entrust such an important task to my hands is none other than Wang Lao."

"It's been a long journey, Qing, it's been hard work."

Wang Tinghe heard that the buttocks that had just sat down hadn't been warmed yet, and he stood up quickly, his beard tremblingly cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty's words, how dare I be worthy of this? Share your worries for His Majesty, for the court Effectiveness is a matter of the minister's duty, and His Majesty believes in the veteran, and is willing to hand over such errands that are related to the people's livelihood to the veteran. It’s just a trip, how dare you say hard work?”

The emperor sighed: "Yes, the matter of disaster relief and reconstruction is related to the national economy and the people's livelihood. The floods in Jiangluo and Luozhou have caused many people to be displaced and precarious. Since the disaster, all the ministers, workers and I have broken their hearts. , Jiangqing has been rich since ancient times, and Luoling is the place where my ancestor Taizu Longxing. I am only thinking about how to relieve the disaster and how to let the two places recuperate. But some people... not only at this critical juncture, do not let me worry , and want to take this opportunity to distribute that unconscionable national calamity!"

The more the emperor spoke, the more angry he became, and at the end his voice and expression were already stern. He stood up abruptly from the dragon chair, threw the folder in his hand on the imperial case with a "slap", and said angrily: "They insist on asking the prince to do it in August." The envoy of the flood disaster, I only know that these people are just like Meng Boyuan, who can't figure it out. They count on the water disaster to make him a merit. Although they use the wrong idea, they still support the prince and have a good heart , but now that Mr. Wang went to Jiangluo and came back this time, I realized that there are so many dirty things in it! If I listened to their instigation and really asked the prince to go, would I never know these things in my life? knew?!"

"I also said that their brains are not clear, but now it seems that I have underestimated them! They are not clear, they are too clear, as long as the imperial envoy is the prince, the prince is benevolent and generous, these rotten What happened, should we just expose them all and forget the past?!"

At the end of the emperor's speech, Xu Shi was so annoyed that he held the imperial case and covered his fists and coughed heavily.

Wang Tinghe was taken aback when he saw this, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please calm down, don't hurt the holy body because of these people."

The emperor heaved a sigh of relief, waved his hand and said: "I'm fine, Mr. Wang doesn't have to worry, thanks to Qing's trip to dig out these moths one by one, otherwise I will be far away in the capital, Jiangluo and other places I don’t know when I will know these things.”

Wang Tinghe said: "Your Majesty is very painstaking, but although these people have their own thoughts, they use the name of disaster relief to embezzle money from the court and fill their own pockets. They are indeed guilty of heinous crimes and deserve to be punished. It's just...they chose His Highness the Crown Prince because of It is certain that His Highness has a benevolent temper, and they want to use this to get away with it. These people are trying to take advantage of His Royal Highness's benevolent temperament, but they have their own calculations in their hearts, and they are doing their own things, but His Highness...in fact, there is nothing wrong with it. Your Highness has already been punished once this year, if he is punished again, I'm afraid... I'm afraid the officials will guess that the East Palace is unstable, and His Majesty's family will no longer..."

"The country is in turmoil... I am afraid that it will affect the previous court and make people panic. Please... please please Your Majesty to calm down."

The emperor was silent for a while, then suddenly said: "...then, Mr. Wang, do you know who these people are planning for and who is the master... and who is it?"

Wang Tinghe was startled, and said: "This..."

The emperor said indifferently: "Yuan'er is the crown prince of the East Palace who I have appointed myself, so I naturally know it well. How can I not know what kind of temperament my own son is?"

Wang Tinghe's heart skipped a beat when he heard the words, knowing that he had made a mistake just now, he quickly stood up from the bench, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for talking too much. crime."

The emperor's expression softened a little, and he was silent for a while, and said: "Wang Laoping, I don't blame you, but the crown prince is in this position, it is really easy to be misled by people with ulterior motives. He is my eldest son. In the future, if he wants to take over the country of Da Yue Dynasty from me, how can I just watch him, think wrong, and go astray?"

Wang Tinghe called the inner officer next to him to support him, stood up tremblingly, and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty has put in so much painstaking efforts, it's because of the shallowness of the old minister."

The emperor said: "...Forget it, Qing is also a loyal heart, and there is nothing wrong with it. I know that Mr. Wang is a man of character, how can I blame you?"

Wang Tinghe lifted his sleeves, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and was about to speak when a small internal official outside the palace whispered through the palace door: "Your Majesty, the head of the palace has returned from outside the palace."

The emperor was startled, and said, "Oh, Zhonglu is back? Tell him to come in quickly."

The internal official outside the hall said: "Yes."

Then Wang Zhonglu took a small internal official and walked into the palace gate with small steps.

Seeing him coming back, the emperor relaxed his tightly locked brows a little bit, and said with a smile, "How about I tell you to watch this strange case, come back and tell me to listen to it, how about it? Have you ever seen it clearly?"

Wang Zhonglu hurriedly took the little internal officials behind him, knelt down and kowtowed, and said: "Your Majesty ordered, the old slave naturally dare not neglect, I can see clearly."

The emperor said: "Listen, how is the verdict of this case? Has Qi Su checked it out? Has the imperial decree I gave Heng'er ever been issued?"

Turning to Wang Tinghe who was sitting there, he said, "Today there is a strange case, and I just got tired of talking about the business, so Mr. Wang can also listen to the strange case together."

Wang Tinghe quickly agreed.

Seeing this, Wang Zhonglu turned his head and whispered to the little internal official behind him: "Why don't you tell His Majesty?"

The little internal official seemed a little nervous, but he was obviously mentally prepared. Although his face was slightly flushed and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, he still went along with it. Bizarre family cases, let's talk about it.

This little internal official's voice is soft but not shrill, very pleasing to the ear, and his diction is precise, every time he mentions important points, such as how Wei Wang took out the golden step, how shocked He Laohou, How the two elders of the Yan family appeared outside the yamen, how Erlang He's confession moved everyone with reason and reason, and even how Mrs. Yan accused Wan Shi, they all recounted it verbatim and vividly.

The eloquent eloquence of the little internal officer, and the twists and turns of this case were indeed bizarre and unexpected, and the ups and downs he said made it sound like the emperor and Mr. Wang were visiting the yamen in person. Bewitched.

In the end, the little internal official said that Master Qi had accepted the paperwork passed by His Highness the Third Highness, and sent He Nanfeng, saying: "...the people at the gate of the yamen, after listening to His Majesty's order, even knelt down, shouted Long live, and praised His Majesty again and again. Holy Ming!"

The emperor knew that the little internal official was probably exaggerating to make him happy, but he didn't want to expose it. He just smiled and said, "Qi Su's case...is quite passable."

He said again: "What's your name? Why haven't I seen it before? I just saw it, and my eloquence is pretty good."

The little eunuch kowtowed and said: "My servant, Zhaier, is the apprentice of the king. He used to sweep and serve outside the palace, so he never entered the gate of the palace."

Wang Zhonglu said with a smile: "This kid is eloquent, so I thought of him after receiving His Majesty's orders today. He must be much more interesting than what I said."

The emperor said: "Since he is your apprentice, I can see that he is still clever, so let him enter the palace to serve in the future."

Zhai'er was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to thank him.

The emperor said: "Zhonglu, you go out for a while first."

Wang Zhonglu bowed his head and said yes, then he took Zhai'er and several officials in the hall, closed the door of the hall, and went out together.

The emperor suppressed the smile on his face, was silent for a while, and said, "Old Wang, do you think my punishment of Marquis Changyang is too severe?"

Wang Tinghe's heart skipped a beat.

It is true that favoring concubines and destroying wives is indeed a shameful scandal for honorable officials and officials. Although He Nanfeng has done it before, the punishment for the emperor to seize the title is indeed a bit too heavy...

And looking at the emperor's reaction now, it is obvious that the emperor himself knows it well.

The Son of Heaven was so strict with the Marquis of Changyang. No one knew what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd, but he deliberately kept himself at this moment. Asking him like this is very meaningful.

It's just that Wang Tinghe has become much more cautious now after learning from the wrong words just now, so he naturally dare not say more, only to say: "Your Majesty values ​​etiquette and ethics, and the Marquis of Changyang does not practice personal morality, and it is his own fault. There is nothing wrong with his punishment."

The emperor said: "It was Heng'er who came to tell me about the supervision of this case, and wanted to give the son-in-law and his younger brother a head, so I gave it to him."

"Now Heng'er helped He Gu get ahead and deal with his vicious stepmother, and because of Heng'er and my request, He Gu first inherited the title of Marquis Mansion. If Gu understands, will he repay his kindness?"

Wang Tinghe was stunned for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, his heart skipped a beat, he couldn't help raising his head slightly, and happened to meet the emperor's deep gaze on the throne.

At this moment, the door of the Lanzheng Palace is closed, and the light in the palace is somewhat dim. The emperor is sitting high on the throne. Although he is smiling, the smile is very meaningful. Wang Ting has been with the emperor for many years, and he guessed it almost immediately. There are layers and layers in his words, those meanings that have not been stated.

... Your Majesty, every decision has his own deep meaning... He also has a lot of plans for the city, otherwise he would not be able to get to where he is today.

He Nanfeng only returned to Beijing from Chenghe at the beginning of the year, and he still has meritorious deeds in his body. His Majesty took away his title due to family affairs and passed it on to his son He Gu. This move must have his own intentions, and the reason...

Wang Ting and Lianmu cupped their hands and said in a low voice: "The old minister was fortunate to enlighten the son-in-law when he was young, although he only led him to read a few books...but the son-in-law is pure, kind and honest, not an ungrateful person, he will definitely... yes I remember the kindness that the Third Highness showed to him and his younger brother, and I will never forget it."

The emperor sighed: "Old Wang is his benefactor, so there must be nothing wrong with what he said. If it is true, then it will be the best."

"...In the official circles of Jiangluo and Jiangluo, although Qing's trip helped me find the bottom line, it's just a routine purge, and another person is needed to go, so I can't give up halfway. I intend to send Heng'er there, what do you think?"

Wang Ting said: "Third Highness, although his temperament is gentle and upright, judging from the case of Changyang Hou's family today, he is not lacking in decisiveness, and can act impartially and honestly. Your Majesty is wise."

The emperor said: "That's how it is, today's talk is about the same, Mr. Wang has worked hard, let's go home and rest."

Wang Tinghe stood up, saluted tremblingly and thanked him for his kindness, then turned and exited the palace gate.

When he was leaving the palace, the palace official called his eldest son Wang Muze, who was on a job in the Imperial College and was just about to go home, for him.

Wang Muze got into his carriage, saw his father leaning against the inner wall of the carriage with his eyes closed, and felt that his expression was not quite right today. Thinking that his father had just returned from Jiangluo, he was announced to the palace by the emperor for several days in a row, so he thought it was because he was tired. I was about to say a few words of concern, but my father Wang Tinghe suddenly said: "In the future, when you are in the Imperial College, you should avoid those people who are close to the crown prince."

Wang Muze was slightly taken aback, and said: "Son... My son didn't interact with them in any way, it was just a normal exchange of pleasantries, my son knows how to measure."

Wang Tinghe shook his head and said, "It's best not to say a word, you have to keep this in mind."

Wang Muze said: "This...but today when father entered the palace, did His Majesty say anything?"

Wang Tinghe was silent for a while, and then he recounted to Wang Muze what he said in detail today in the Palace of Lanzheng.

After listening, Wang Muze said, "Your Majesty, this is... this is..."

Wang Tinghe sighed, and sighed: "Some people go to the examination room at night, and some people resign and return to their hometown... One generation has its own thing. You said that the prince has served His Majesty for many years, and he is very satisfied." , why doesn't he claim credit for himself, instead of giving his little apprentice a chance to show his face in front of His Majesty?"

Wang Muze was taken aback for a moment, but didn't answer.

Wang Tinghe paused for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty has far-reaching plans. You said, although Zihuan's father is confused, is he really guilty of seizing the title? Your Majesty is... paving the way for the Third Highness." .”

When he said this, Wang Muze was startled, and said: "Father, what you mean is that His Majesty is buying people's hearts for His Highness...? But Zihuan... is the He family and his grandfather Yan's family, who are in the army They are all prestigious, if he can get a military post again, it will indeed be of great help, but Zihuan is now a son-in-law, and his relatives are not allowed to participate in politics... This..."

Wang Ting said: "...he will not be a son-in-law for the rest of his life."

Wang Muze was taken aback, and said, "Father... what do you mean by that?"

Although...he did hear that Her Royal Highness the Princess and Zihuan, uh...the relationship seems not to be harmonious, but is a royal marriage a child's play?As long as Zihuan doesn't make a big mistake, how can his marriage with the eldest princess be annulled so easily?

Wang Tinghe didn't answer, just shook his beard and smiled.

Wang Muze remembered something again, and suddenly changed his expression: "No... this... this His Majesty is paving the way for His Highness the Third Highness, then... that East Palace..."

He had just thought of this level. Elder Wang raised his eyes, looked at his stupid eldest son with disgust and tiredness, and finally didn't bother to instruct him anymore, so he just lazily said: "...The Sacred Heart is unpredictable, you just Do business according to the order, don't get involved in such things as seizing the heir and forming a party, and don't think about it too much, I think you want to break your head...you can't figure it out."

Still sighed secretly in my heart.

For so many years, he has devoted himself to steering the rudder of the Wang family's ship, intending to make himself only a pure minister... But he couldn't bear it, His Majesty forced him to stand in line...

Behind the crown prince is the Chen family, and behind the second highness is the Wen family. Now that the third highness is behind, although their Wang family is not a noble family, they have to bite the bullet...

I just don't know whether the emperor's move is for balance, or it is true...

Moved to waste storage?

-------------

But it was said that the case of the Bianjing Mansion was closed, Madam Yan hugged her two grandchildren and cried for a good meal, so she didn't mention it, so she called He Gu and He Cheng to go to Yan's family for dinner together, which was also the first reunion of the family.

In the end, Mrs. Yan was very considerate, and told He Gu: "Third Highness has spent a lot of attention on our family affairs today. In the end, His Majesty's will, your grandfather said... I am afraid it is probably Third Highness." Please, Your Highness is your brother-in-law again, he is kind to us, we have to remember, you go and ask if His Highness is free tonight, if you have nothing to do, come to the house for a meal together, and grandma will go back Be sure to ask the kitchen to prepare, and you must not neglect him."

He Gu agreed with a smile, arrested Pei Zhaoheng and questioned him, thought he might not be willing to go, after all, it was a family banquet, he might feel a little uncomfortable if he went.

Unexpectedly, His Highness the Third Highness glanced at him, and responded very readily, only saying that he would go back and change his clothes, and would come later.

Then he took Cheng Wei, got into the sedan chair first, and went back to the princess mansion.

The Yamen of Bianjing Mansion is not far from the General's Mansion, and the two elders of the Yan family are in good health, and they don't like to ride in chariots and sedan chairs, so they all go there on foot, and now the group of people are also walking back.

The Yan family's old couple, although they are old, their legs and feet are nimble, plus they just got a letter from He Gu, knowing that His Highness the Third Highness would like to have dinner at the house tonight, so they are naturally anxious to go home and prepare to go, He Gu He Cheng The two brothers have their own concerns, so they are still at the end.

He Gu and He Cheng walked side by side. He Gu felt that his second younger brother was peeking up at him all the time, so he turned his head and glanced at him, but saw that He Cheng's eyes were a little red. Embarrassed, he just sucked his nose, and suddenly said something out of nowhere, "Brother... is this true?"

He Gu heard the words, understood He Cheng's meaning, felt a sore heart, suddenly raised his hand to wrap his shoulders, and said with a smile: "Naturally, everything will be fine in the future."

It was the first time He Cheng was embraced by him like this, he was stunned for a moment, then felt warm in his heart, and called out again in a muffled voice: "...Brother."

He Gu paused, and said: "I heard...just come back."

He smiled again, and said: "It's on the street, take it away, and you can call it whatever you want in the future."

He Cheng looked at him with bright eyes, and nodded his head.

When we arrived at Yan Mansion, later on, His Highness the Third Highness really changed into casual clothes and brought Cheng Wei to the door.

Although today is not yet the fifteenth day, and the moon is not at its fullest, the night sky is cloudless, the stars are shining brightly, and the moon is shining brightly. Madam Yan saw that the moonlight was bright, so she asked her servants to arrange the eight immortals table and the table. in court.

The table layout is very meticulous, all kinds of dishes are full of dishes, and the family gathers together before the court, and it is very lively.

Old General Yan, Old Madam, Uncle Yan Song, Aunt Lu Shi, Cousin Yan Dingye, Younger Sister He Rong, Second Younger Brother He Cheng, plus He Gu, and his brother-in-law Third Prince.

Although it is not a festive season, but the family is happy to be reunited, Madam Yan is very happy to see it.

...It's a pity that Gu'er's daughter-in-law, Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess, is not here.

Madam Yan couldn't help sighing in her heart.

These days, she also heard that the grandson's daughter-in-law seemed not to get along well with Gu'er, so she ran out of the capital, but she was also the eldest princess of golden branches and jade leaves after all. Although this move was indeed too willful, it was not No one dares to accuse her of anything.

... Only her grandson who is deeply affectionate and single-minded is pitiful.

He Rong was brought here by Nanny Qu, she hadn't seen her elder brother He Gu for many days, so when she saw He Gu tonight, she gave a cheer, and jumped in front of He Gu as fast as a bird, jumping three feet high, Fell into his arms.

Fortunately, He Gu Yanming was quick, so he caught her, hugged He Rong, and said with a smile: "It's heavy, it seems that the food at my grandfather's house is good, I'm almost ten years old, I'm a big girl, it's still like this , when the time comes, spread the word and make people laugh at you."

He Rong just lost his mind for a while, and after hearing He Gu's words, he finally felt a little embarrassed, and then shrank out of He Gu's arms, and said coyly: "Big Brother never comes, Rong'er is so boring by herself, Miss you."

He Gu rubbed He Rong's head, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, it's my fault, I didn't look at Rong'er, brother, please apologize to you?"

Over there, Nanny Qu saw He Gu stretching out her paws from a distance, rubbing the hair she had combed so hard for He Rong into a mess, sighed in her heart, came up to embrace He Ronglian and said, "Master, don't rub it!" The lady moves too much, combing the lady's hair can be strenuous, and if it gets messy, it needs to be combed again."

He Gu scratched his head, touched his nose with some guilt, and laughed dryly.

Seeing the last dish of soy pork knuckle being brought to the table by the maid, Mrs. Yan said with a smile, "Stop talking, the dishes are ready, let's eat soon."

Only then did the whole family gather around the table lively and start eating.

He Rong is a little bit older, she is smart in the first place, and I have heard about what happened in the yamen today, so I also know that He Cheng is her second brother, and the two brothers and sisters recognized each other again during the dinner Dear, it almost made the eyes of the Yan family's elders turn red again, let's not mention it for now.

On the contrary, He Gu was thinking about today's events, and personally toasted the Third Highness with a glass of wine, saying: "Recently, Your Highness has been running around for me and Brother Cheng, to plead with His Majesty, and Brother Cheng to re-record the genealogy of the patriarchy. Brother Cheng and I will never forget this kindness, and I will present this glass of wine to Your Highness!"

After speaking, he stood up, toasted Pei Zhaoheng, and drank it down very boldly.

Seeing this, He Cheng also quickly stood up, followed by a toast to His Highness the Third Highness.

During the dinner, the family ate and chatted happily, He took care of his thoughts, he was in a good mood today, so he lost a bit of restraint, and after dinner was over and the table was removed, he was already a little tipsy.

Seeing that it was getting late, the two elders of the Yan family simply stayed He Gu, He Cheng and His Highness the Third Highness for the night, arranged a yard for them, and then ended the banquet.

The two elders of the Yan family were old and had a rest early, so they went back to rest early. He Rong also asked Nanny Qu to take them back. He Cheng said goodbye and followed the boy to his own yard. But He Gu was stunned. Calling Zhengye to help him, drunk, vaguely saw Pei Zhaoheng saying goodbye to him, turning around to go back to his own yard, not knowing what was wrong with him, unable to control his mouth, suddenly howled, and shouted: "Hey! The evildoer, go away !"

Zhengye: "..."

Cheng Wei: "..."

Pei Zhaoheng: "..."

...?