Fake concubine, real queen

Master He Xiaohou really drank too much.

Although he was awake for a while, his sobriety was very limited. Normally, even if he thought about it with his feet, he would not have come up with such a bad idea, but today he not only thought about it, but even said it.

The brother-in-law took his brother-in-law to the Men's Museum...

As long as he is a normal person, if he ponders a little with his normal brain, he will feel that whatever he thinks is wrong.

It's a pity that He Gu drank too much, and his head was clear for a while, and then it was a mess. Even if it was really a mess all the time, it would be better than it is now——

At least Pei Zhaoheng could tell whether he was serious when he said this, but he seemed to be so clear, but in fact his head was in a messy state, and he was clearly talking nonsense, but he looked quite serious, like So what happened, it seemed that he really made up his mind to take Pei Zhaoheng to the Men's Style Museum.

Pei Zhaoheng's eyes were dim, and he looked at him without speaking for a long time.

He Gu's head is not clear now, let alone paying attention to the subtle changes in His Highness's expression at the moment, he didn't feel anything wrong at all, not only that, but Pei Zhaoheng's answer was very good, and He Gu didn't stop from this short sentence. In the two words "very good", I felt any abnormality, and I was very optimistic and thought:

It's okay, it's okay... Since His Highness is willing to go to the Men's Style Museum, it means that he is still not on the edge of his horns. There is no grass in the end of the world. For a cow as handsome as the Third Highness, what kind of grass can't be eaten?

Now he and Pei Zhaoheng, one is a brother-in-law and the other is a brother-in-law. Although He Gu looks younger than Pei Zhaoheng, he feels that he has a secret that no one knows. , His Highness is young and energetic, and his love has just begun. In addition, he may not have met any desirable people in Jinling before. When he returned to Beijing suddenly, they talked very happily these days and lived together in the same mansion. It is not incomprehensible to mistake the friendship of a confidant for love, to think wrongly, to have a wrong idea.

It's just that understanding belongs to understanding, but they are Uncle Lang after all, and they are destined not to mix together. It's against ethics, and...

And he still has sister Yu'er in his heart.

He Gu's heart has long been attached to Sister Yu'er, even after meeting the Third Highness, the Third Highness is the best in talent, learning and appearance, and there is nothing wrong with it, but such things as feelings...

It's not that you have to pay attention to what comes first, but he Gu is a deadhead, there is only such a small place in his heart, the warmest... and the softest, once a person walks in, it will be impossible, so he can't wait. Came out to another person.

No matter how good the person who came after is.

Maybe He Xiaohou himself is not aware of these thoughts in his subconscious, but now he is drunk, even if he is half drunk, the emotions revealed in his behavior are more straightforward than usual, much more obvious, especially In the eyes of Pei Zhaoheng at this moment——

The way He Gu looked at the Third Highness was completely different from the way he looked at the Eldest Princess.

This matter is very subtle, and only Pei Zhaoheng knows it. From the beginning to the end, He Gu is the only one who sees him, but he is not the only one.

Whether it was looking at his "Sister Yu'er" with such a straightforward, warm and undisguised infatuation, and when looking at the third highness, such a simple, pure and hearty intimacy without any distracting thoughts, they were all looking at him...

But she wasn't looking at him either.

He Gu's admiration is only given to his "Sister Yu'er.

He is not like some flirtatious princes and grandsons in Beijing nowadays, as long as they are some kind of talented and beautiful women, whether it is singers, dancers, or even daughters who are really talking about marriage with them, these people seem to always be able to get married. Rain and dew evenly spread love to five or six, or even seven or eight different souls, but He Gu's love seems to be very little, they are like fine wine in a glass cup, there is only one cup, Poured it into the cup of "Sister Yu'er", it just happened to be full, and as for the rest that can be distributed to others——

Then nothing at all.

Most of the time, He Gu was innocent and straightforward in Pei Zhaoheng's eyes, but at this moment, he really felt He Gu's cruelty.

...Perhaps it is cruel, it is not very appropriate, it is more appropriate to call it ruthless.

His ruthlessness is aimed at all those who have not had time to enter the place in his heart.

Pei Zhaoheng was silent for a while, and his voice was a little hoarse: "I said... I admire you, and Zihuan's answer is to take me to the Men's House?"

He Gu: "..."

His Highness said this, although he was drunk, he finally felt a little strange, looked up at the bright stars in the night sky and thought for a while, then lowered his head again after a while, looked at Pei Zhaoheng and said, "Uh... You don't have to go to the Men's House, what I mean is that there are many good men in the world, and there are no grasses anywhere in the world, so why should Your Highness have to dig into the horns?"

After finishing speaking, I was afraid that what I said was serious, so I quickly added: "I don't blame His Highness, in fact, I think His Highness may not have figured it out yet, we... we are at best friends, Your Highness may just be wrong, in the future... ...Your Highness will meet someone more desirable in the future, but now you are."

I secretly thought in my heart, when I become the emperor and control the world, I am afraid that you are not willing to hang yourself on a tree.

Pei Zhaoheng was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled self-deprecatingly, raised his eyes to look at He Gu and said, "...you have to worry about me."

He Gu hurriedly said: "Don't bother, don't bother, it's His Highness Duomeng who bothered about this case in my family. I owe this kindness to myself, and I will never forget it. ..."

... Although it is not too much to show loyalty to the future lord, it seems a bit too early and exaggerated to say that you are heartbroken now.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Anyway, as long as it's not such a thing, if His Highness can help me, just say hello, and I will definitely do my best to help."

Although it's a bit vague to say so, the Third Highness is so smart, so he should be able to understand it, right?

As long as he thinks of this, He Gu becomes more sober again. He has always been thinking about the matter of seizing the crown prince. After all, the crown prince is still around for a day, and he is a threat to sister Yuer, the empress, and the third highness. When this matter came to an end, he would be able to eat soft food with peace of mind in his life, where he should eat and sleep.

He was thinking about this, but he heard the Third Highness suddenly ask: "Zihuan... If the imperial sister never comes back for the rest of her life, what will you do?"

He Guqi said: "How is that possible?"

The Third Highness lowered his face, and said: "What if it is true?"

He Gu thought for a while and said, "I'll just go find her."

"...What if we never find it?"

He Gu was stunned, and said, "I'll never find it..."

What joke is the Third Highness playing?

How could a living person disappear out of thin air and never be found?

He Gu said: "I don't believe I can't find it."

After a pause, he said again: "If I can't find it, I will look for it for the rest of my life."

Pei Zhaoheng stared at him and asked, "What if I can't find it in my whole life?"

I can't find it in my life...

This time He Gu pondered for a while, his expression seemed a little dazed, and Pei Zhaoheng's heart slowly lifted.

After a long time, He Gucai turned his head, looked at Pei Zhaoheng with a smile, and said, "Then after a hundred years, I will go to the underworld to ask Lord Yan. Lord Yan has a book of life and death, so it is impossible to miss my sister, right? I will definitely find it by then." Sister, let me ask her where she went again, why does she have to hide, so that I can't find it, why worry?"

His one-liner, which was obviously a joke, but in Pei Zhaoheng's ears, it almost chilled his heart and lungs.

He closed his eyes and said in a low voice: "Is that so, even if she is no longer in this world, you don't marry someone else, don't adore...don't adore other women?"

He Gu rubbed his nose, took it for granted without even thinking about it: "That's natural, my sister and I are a married couple, three books and six rituals, three matchmakers and six...cough..."

Uh... Although the dowry seems to be received by his family, it doesn't affect anything, does it?

Still said: "In short, I only have her in my heart in this life, and there is no one else. It doesn't matter where she is."

After He Gu finished speaking, he found that His Highness the Third Highness was staring at him intently——

He looked a little strange.

His Highness the Third Highness has the same face as the Eldest Princess, but this face is very miraculous. On the Eldest Princess, it is tall and indifferent, beautiful and sharp; With a hint of femininity, He Gu has always felt that His Highness the Third Highness is completely different from the Eldest Princess, but at this moment, the expression on the face of the Third Highness makes He Gu see a little shadow of the Eldest Princess.

His face was indifferent, neither sad nor happy, just looking at him quietly from afar.

He Gu made him feel slightly guilty, swallowed involuntarily, and whispered, "What's wrong...did I say something wrong?"

Pei Zhaoheng didn't answer.

Long time, long time.

He hooked the corners of his lips and looked like he was smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, he just said lightly: "That's right, Zihuan...very good."

He Gu couldn't figure it out, but the back of his head started to feel slightly dizzy due to drinking, so he stretched out his hand to support the doorpost of the verandah, and said: "If there is nothing wrong, I'll go back first, Your Highness, please rest well."

I didn't mention the Men's House again.

He also noticed that His Highness didn't seem to be very interested in anything.

After all, he is from the Pei family, he is the son of the phoenix and the grandson of the dragon, he is not willing to go to He Gu, and it is impossible to tie him up...

Just let him go, as long as His Highness doesn't make too many horns.

He Gu was about to go back to his yard to rest, when he turned around, he was stopped by Pei Zhaoheng again.

"...Zihuan."

He Gu paused, then turned around and said, "I'm dizzy, I'm going back to sleep, is there anything else your Highness needs?"

Pei Zhaoheng looked at him, and suddenly said: "You manage the property in Beijing and the private property of the princess mansion, not just for the sake of the imperial sister, right?"

He Gu was slightly taken aback.

These days, he was wandering around the shop in the middle of the capital every day, and it seems that the third highness also saw it. He really is sister Yuer's younger brother, and he is very intelligent. That day in the Zhuangzi in the suburbs of Beijing, he reasoned that it was because of his sister. For the rest of his life, he had no worries about food and clothing, and now His Highness can see that something is wrong.

He Gu didn't even know where he was showing his flaws, and let him see that something was wrong, but he didn't panic, after all, let the Third Highness know... It's a matter of time before he intends to help him.

He Gu leaned on the pillar, turned his head and looked back at Pei Zhaoheng, this time he was completely sober, he just smiled and said: "Your Highness is extremely smart, why ask me again?"

Pei Zhaoheng said: "...Why did you help me?"

He Gu said frankly, "Your Highness is my brother-in-law, if I don't help His Highness, who will I help?"

Pei Zhaoheng: "..."

Pei Zhaoheng: "Just this one reason?"

He Gu thought for a while, this time, for some reason, many things from his previous life appeared in his mind like a revolving lantern.

After a crown prince came to the throne, in order to seal his mouth, he killed more than 300 people among the twelve mysterious guards under his command, the Teng Snake guard who specialized in secret reports, and no one was left alive. He learned about this from outside Beijing. , although it was a fast horse, four or five good horses ran back to Beijing, but in the end, there was no trace of the bones of the brothers...

There was a flood in Jiangluo, and the prince and uncle Guo’s disciples and staff in the two places used the name of disaster relief to collect money. In the end, the Dongchuang incident was revealed, and Jiang Qing Zhizhou sent a letter to the court, but no letter was sent back to the capital. The ground is not working well, but in the end he will be pushed out to top the vat, and he will be held accountable by an angry imperial decree from the unknowing emperor, and his desperate look when he ransacked the house...

Too much...he couldn't even think about it.

He Gu was silent for a while, then said in a low voice: "Perhaps I am also looking forward to His Highness...you can be called an emperor."

In the previous life, he helped the prince to do too many bad things, killing treacherous ministers, loyal ministers, pure ministers, and treacherous ministers.

If in the world before his rebirth, after a hundred years, the country would no longer be as stable as it used to be, at least he would be half as guilty.

His voice was extremely low, but Pei Zhaoheng could hear him clearly.

He looked at He Gu from a distance, and said nothing.

He Gu didn't want to think about those bad things anymore, he just rubbed his nose and smiled, and said: "I drank too much wine, it's all nonsense, I'm a little dizzy, I went back to sleep, and His Highness also rested early."

After speaking, he turned and left.

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

Before I knew it, half of October had passed.

With the emperor's decree, the case of Changyang Marquis Mansion came to a successful conclusion. He Nanfeng was confiscated and imprisoned in the mansion to contemplate his mistakes behind closed doors. Certified by the Son of Heaven, the genuine Marquis.

However, during the period, the censor also impeached him, saying that he was already a son-in-law and should not inherit the title of Marquis of Changyang. It is not a good thing to treat foreign relatives too much. But it does not prevent the officials from tickling the emperor's ears with this matter every day.

It's just that the emperor obviously didn't listen to the complaints of these people, he didn't even respond to them, and he didn't even look at them.

However, He Gu didn't stay on the throne for too long in the thorn in the eyes of the judges. There was no other reason. His brother-in-law, the Third Highness, came to surround Wei and rescue Zhao.

The emperor intends to order the third prince Pei Zhaoheng to serve as Jiangluo Xuanfu envoy, and go to Jiangqing and Luoling for him to supervise the reconstruction of river embankments after the disaster and the allocation of relief money and food.

As soon as the Holy Majesty revealed this meaning, the court and the opposition were in endless disputes, and the pot exploded in an instant. For a while, whether it was the officials or the sesame officials as far away as Jiangluo, they all offered advice one after another, and the memorials to persuade the emperor to think twice were almost snowflakes. , Flew towards the royal case in the Lanzheng Palace.

The opinions of the ministers were very unified. The Third Prince had been sick in Jinling for many years and had no experience in governance. He was suddenly assigned such an important task, fearing that he would not be able to do it. Not only would he miss the disaster relief task, but he was also afraid that his health would be affected.

More suitable and competent candidates were recommended one after another——

The crown prince, Pei Zhaoyuan, who has been idle for more than half a year and has many years of experience in government and Chongwen Palace.

Unexpectedly, the emperor, who has always been very persuasive in major matters, seems to be very determined to go his own way this time. Not only did he turn a blind eye to these objecting memorials, but he also picked out the most vicious ones who took the lead and cleaned them up——

Yushitai Zhao Bingzhi, his son went in and out of Huajie Liuxiang, fought with several prostitutes to get jealous, Zhao Bingzhi didn't even know that he had been impeached many times because of this matter, but the emperor kept it secret until now He was the vanguard in opposing the third prince's appointment as Jiangluo Xuanfu envoy, but at this time, he asked the emperor to find out seven or eight past excerpts about him not teaching his children and endless personal virtues, and in front of all civil and military officials, He fell down in front of Chongwen Hall with a black face, and told him to pick it up and look at it himself.

The emperor said with a sullen face: "What? You have raised such a son, but you still think of disciplining my son for me?"

Zhao Bingzhi was so frightened that his two legs trembled, his face looked pale, and he didn't dare to jump around anymore.

Immediately afterwards, the other few jumpers were also cleaned up one by one by the emperor. , "Ke", "Ke" and "Ke", the benevolent and harmonious monarch, seemed to suddenly become less manageable, and all the officials were a little shy for a while, not daring to act rashly anymore, for fear of running into bad luck.

No matter how good the temper of the emperor is, he is still the emperor.

What's more, the emperor seemed to be determined after eating the weight this time.

In fact, the objection of the officials is not entirely because they are really afraid that His Highness the Third Highness will not be able to do the job. After all, the most critical moment of the Jiangluo flood has passed. To put it bluntly, there is not much difference in who is sent to preside over the disaster relief and rebuild the embankment. So at the beginning of August, the emperor did not send the crown prince there, but called Wang Ting and Mr. Wang to go, and their reaction was never so violent.

But if it is necessary to choose one of the two princes for the position of Xuanfu Envoy, then people have to think about it.

The officials are naturally unwilling to let the emperor move the reserve easily.

There is nothing wrong with the benevolence and virtuousness of today's princes. If the emperor only likes and dislikes and lightly abolishes the establishment, the country will be in turmoil at that time. Those who stand in line will naturally be afraid, and those who do not stand in line will also be afraid that the entire court will be reshuffled. Affected pond fish.

It's just... Chen Yuanfu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, the uncle of His Highness the Crown Prince, has never made a statement.

As for His Royal Highness, there was no movement at all.

At least in Baiguan's view.

-------

Since the third prince returned to Beijing, Pei Zhaoheng would go back to the palace to pay respects to the queen on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar new year. He Gu would accompany him into the palace every half a month. After all, the eldest princess is not here. Son-in-law, it is also appropriate to enter the palace to pay her respects on her behalf.

On the fifteenth day, the two of them entered the palace together again, had a conversation with Empress Chen in Zhiyang Palace, sat for about half an hour, then kowtowed and came out again.

He Gu and Pei Zhaoheng walked side by side in the garden of the imperial garden, on the small road leading to the palace.

Ever since the night of He Gu's hangover in Yan Mansion, the two of them had a tacit understanding and did not mention that night again. They got along as before, as if they were still relatives, ordinary uncle Lang, There has never been a brother-in-law who confessed his love to his brother-in-law, and there has never been such an embarrassing thing like a brother-in-law suggesting to take his brother-in-law to a men's shop.

He Gu originally kept a distance from Pei Zhaoheng out of the intention of avoiding suspicion, but who knew that he avoided suspicion, but the Third Highness avoided suspicion even more than him——

He Gu obviously felt that the attitude of the Third Highness was much alienated.

Maybe it can't be called estrangement, but returning to a normal brother-in-law's attitude towards brother-in-law, polite, just right kindness and care, apart from that, there are no previous ambiguous actions that are easy to imagine.

He Gu rejoiced in his heart, but luckily the Third Highness was willing to go back on the right path. Although he did not discriminate against Long Yang's obsession, and the Third Highness might not be able to sit in that position in this life, but he was so masculine as ever. Such a thing is not a good thing for a prince who may become a king in the future.

It's just that Pei Zhaoheng's attitude was alienated, and he couldn't help feeling a little thumping in his heart.

Don't it mean that his refusal that night was too hurtful and caused His Highness the Third Highness to have a heartache, right?

The two walked side by side on the small road in Yuyuan, but He Gu couldn't hold back after all, and asked in a low voice, "His... Your Highness, that day..."

When the words came to his lips, he was a little speechless.

After all, when it comes to that night, it is inevitable to mention the fact that the third prince confessed to him and was rejected by him. It was so easy to not have to worry about this embarrassing matter, and now I have to bring it up again, which is really a headache...

But it doesn’t work if you don’t mention it. The most painful lesson He Gu learned in the last life is that as a courtier, you must pay attention to communicating with the lord. Once you are misunderstood, you will be buried. Ri Dongchuang's incident happened, and after Qiu Hou settled accounts, he didn't know how he died.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Uh... His Highness is not angry with me, is he?"

Pei Zhaoheng's footsteps paused, he turned his head and gave him an indifferent look, his tone could not tell any emotion: "No."

He Gu was taken aback.

I don't know if it's his delusion, His Highness has been looking more and more like Sister Yu'er in recent days.

He Gu said: "Then... that's good..."

Pei Zhaoheng paused, and said: "Just now in front of the mother, Zihuan said that a good man has the world in mind and his ambition is everywhere."

He Gu was taken aback.

He said this just now... but it was when Empress Chen was worried that he would be left alone in Beijing by sister Yu'er, feeling depressed, and caring for him, he said it to comfort Empress Chen, just to tell his mother-in-law that he was not waiting But Sister Yu'er, he also has other business on his hands, so let his mother-in-law feel relieved, don't worry about herself.

It's just why the Third Highness suddenly mentioned this?

Pei Zhaoheng said: "What Zihuan said is what I have been thinking in Jinling all these years."

He Gu was slightly taken aback.

Pei Zhaoheng said: "In the past few days, there have been endless disputes between the government and the opposition for the position of Jiang Luo Xuanfu envoy. Father is still unwilling to let go of his mouth and wants me to go against all opinions."

He Gu's heart moved, and he said: "Your Majesty...it is a good thing that your Majesty trusts the Third Highness."

Pei Zhaoheng said with a "huh" and said: "If the candidate chosen by the emperor is indeed me, I will have to leave in a few days... I will not be able to return until around the end of next year."

After a pause, he said again: "I've been thinking about this for the past few days, not because of you."

His Highness the Third Highness has an open and upright personality, unlike the Prince, he is not the kind of person who will pretend to be hypocritical and duplicity to appease people's hearts. Said: "This opportunity is rare, entrusted by His Majesty, the matter is of great importance, if His Highness can really go...you must grasp it well."

Pei Zhaoheng nodded and said: "...I can reflect on myself."

The two were talking when they suddenly heard a young man's hearty laughter from behind.

"Gu heard that the third younger brother came to the palace today to greet the queen mother, and wanted to go to Zhiyang Palace to block you, but he was forced to miss it. Then I realized that you just left. How did the third younger brother go so fast? It's easy to chase, huh? The son-in-law is also here, which is just right."

When He Gu heard this voice, his whole body froze slightly, his throat was astringent, and he couldn't turn his head back for a while, but Pei Zhaoheng reacted quickly, turned around and bowed to the person who came, and said: "I have seen the emperor, my minister The younger brother and the son-in-law are about to leave the palace, and the imperial brother wants to find the younger brother, just ask the palace people to pass it on, so there is no need to be so troublesome."

The prince laughed loudly, and said: "I just recently got a good tea from my father. I heard that you have entered the palace, so I came up with the idea on a whim. I want you to sit with me and taste the good tea. It's just right The son-in-law is here today, why not go together?"

Pei Zhaoheng paused for a moment, then said: "Brother Huang came to invite me personally, how dare my younger brother refuse, then respect is worse than obedience."

The group changed their route and went to the East Palace. Pei Zhaoheng was about to leave, but he found that He Gu beside him hadn't moved for a long time. He turned his head and saw that He Gu's face was a little pale, and there was a little sweat on his forehead.

There was a difference in He Gu's expression, but it was not obvious, unless it was someone very close to him, outsiders would not be able to see any clues.

Pei Zhaoheng saw it at a glance.

He looked up at the back of the prince in front of him, frowned slightly, turned his eyes back to look at He Gu and said in a low voice, "Zihuan, what's wrong with you?"

He Gu closed his eyes, opened them again quickly, forced a smile that was uglier than crying, and said, "I'm fine, let's go, Your Highness."

Just now the crown prince has called him, now no matter how uncomfortable or frightened he is when he sees the crown prince, he has no choice but to go, let alone hold back the third highness.

...Let's go.Let's see what new tricks the prince has this time.

But even if he encouraged himself so much, the instinct of the body and the fear deep in the soul could not deceive him. In just a short moment, He Gu's palms were already covered in cold sweat.

The body was almost uncontrollable, trembling slightly.

He spurned himself in his heart.

Isn't it just being delayed by Pei Zhaoyuan, an ungrateful and ungrateful villain? He Zihuan, are you afraid of this?Thousands of troops and horses, mountains of corpses and seas of blood are coming. Pei Zhaoyuan is just a villain, so is it worth your fear?Are you a coward?

He Zihuan, are you that stupid?

He said this to himself over and over again in his heart.

But the cold sweat on the palms was not less, but more.

At this moment, He Gu's right hand was suddenly held tightly by a warm and dry hand with slender knuckles.

He Gu was startled slightly, turned his head and looked up, and looked into Pei Zhaoheng's pair of deep and indifferent peach blossom eyes.

He didn't say anything.