Fake concubine, real queen

East Palace.

Since the beginning of the year, the prince offended his father and was punished by the emperor. After half a year of contemplation in the East Palace, the grace that allowed him to observe politics and the Chongwen Palace was also taken back. Even though the ban was lifted later, he still has not been allowed to return to Chongwen for a long time. Palace watch politics.

But when the crown prince found Pei Zhaoheng and He Gu, they were wearing the court clothes of the crown prince. Looking at this time, it was obvious that he had just returned from the Chongwen Palace after the early court. It seems that the emperor is really treating this son thoroughly now. After calming down, he also eased his attitude towards Donggong, and then allowed him to observe politics in Chongwen Palace again.

After entering the palace, the servants of the East Palace greeted Pei Zhaoheng and He Gu to sit down, and brought tea, snacks and candied fruits. Then the crown prince picked up the teacup, looked at Pei Zhaoheng and said with a smile: "It is said that there is Jindingchun in the south, and silver truffles in the north. , Jin Dingchun has to drink the first taste of the spring to have a taste, this silver truffle is just the opposite, it is just this season, the taste is the best, Gu recently got some by chance, the third brother and the son-in-law may wish to taste Have a taste?"

Seeing Pei Zhaoheng and He Gu take a sip from the lid of the teacup, he asked with a smile, "How is it? Not bad, right?"

Pei Zhaoheng put down the teacup, stood up and said: "The tea given by the emperor's brother is naturally the best, my brother..."

Seeing that he was about to bow his hands to salute, He Gu also belatedly put down the teacup, and wanted to follow Xie En, but asked the prince to stand up, supported him and Pei Zhaoheng, and said: "Hey, the third brother and the son-in-law are so polite What is it for? A cup of tea is worth it when the two of you are so trembling, are you so difficult to get along with alone?"

Looking at Pei Zhaoheng again, he paused, and said in a low voice: "Gu and the third younger brother came from the same natal family, you and I should be very close, Gu still remembers that when the third brother was still in Beijing when I was young, we lived together In the garden of Kuncheng Palace, the third younger brother always made the largest and most beautiful snowman, but it's a pity...the third younger brother got asthma and left Beijing to recuperate, and it took him ten years since he left..."

There was a bit of sadness in his expression.

The prince looked like a benevolent elder brother who missed the old days and missed his younger brother very much.

He Gu looked at it with chills in his heart. It can be said that no one in this world knows better than He Gu the prince's attitude towards His Highness the Third Highness.

The prince is still the prince.

Pei Zhaoyuan said: "Fortunately, the third brother has returned to Beijing now, we two brothers, it's better not to be strangers, I have never been free in the past few days, and I have not found a chance to find the third brother to come to the lonely palace for a rest. Rest, let's talk about the world, I didn't call you to drink tea until today, the third brother won't complain about his loneliness, right?"

Pei Zhaoheng said: "The emperor's words are serious, how dare the ministers."

The crown prince then smiled and asked them to sit down again, and said: "It's a pity that I managed to catch third brother to me today, but we won't be able to get together with you for a few days."

Pei Zhaoheng didn't speak, but He Gu was slightly startled when he heard this.

The crown prince said: "Today's morning court, according to the meaning of the father, it seems that he intends to entrust the task of rebuilding the embankment after the Jiangluo flood and providing relief to the people to the third brother. It is estimated that the third brother and the son-in-law will return to the princess mansion not long ago. , you will be able to receive the edict from the internal officials."

"These days, the court is always arguing about this matter, and a group of people in Yushitai are talking all day long, saying that the third brother is too young and inexperienced to be entrusted with this important task, and stop the emperor from making an order. I don't know that the father has his own ideas in his heart, since the old man has taken a fancy to the third younger brother, he is justified, how can it be their turn to criticize him?"

"These days they were dancing and having fun, but Gu didn't get involved with them. I only felt that although the third brother was young, he was also a sensible and capable person. Jiang Luo's job, others can do it, why can't the third brother be able to do it?" I feel lonely that the position of Xuanfu envoy needs to supervise the construction of river embankments, dispatch and allocate funds and food for disaster relief from the imperial court, and most of all, it requires patience and meticulousness, calm temper, and deliberation. Isn't the third brother just right? They want to oppose it, alone On the contrary, I have to write a booklet for my father, and I strongly recommend you to go!"

When Pei Zhaoheng heard the prince's words, his expression remained unchanged, and he didn't know what he was thinking, but He Gu was slightly startled.

On the way here, he was still trembling uncontrollably because of his previous life, and the number of times he had confronted the crown prince in this life was very few, and He Gu hadn't completely overcome his psychological shadow. Only then did He Gu's tense nerves relax a little bit, and he regained his composure.

He began to wonder again, the prince suddenly asked His Highness the Third Highness to drink tea with him, what kind of medicine was sold in the gourd?

Although in this life, because of his rebirth, many things went differently from his previous life, such as his marriage to the eldest princess, and the old man He being deprived of his title... It's just these two things that He Gu can still figure out, the direct reason is he.

However, His Highness the Third Prince who had been convalescing in Jinling in the last life suddenly returned to Beijing. When His Majesty called him back, he said that the Third Prince’s health was much better. He Gu looked at him and found that Pei Zhaoheng’s body was indeed fine, although occasionally he would hide his body. He coughed once or twice, but it didn't have much impact, and now the emperor is sending him to Jiangluo to relieve disasters... All these are very different from the direction of his previous life.He also thought about what caused these differences, but he really didn't want to understand it, so he had to settle for what happened and wait and see what happened.

Until today the prince found them.

That's right...how did he forget, now that His Royal Highness is returning to Beijing...For the crown prince, Pei Zhaoheng is naturally no longer the younger brother who was sickly, far away from the capital, insignificant and not threatening in the previous life. They are all from the empress, so they have no foundation in the court, but after all, they are also the emperor's own sons, who will be crowned king in the future. Since the three princes have returned to Bianjing, they will definitely affect the distribution of power in Beijing...

A shrewd person like Pei Zhaoyuan...

How could you just sit by and watch?

Seeing that Pei Zhaoheng didn't answer, the crown prince was not in a hurry, he just smiled and said, "Did the third brother also hear some rumors that someone went up against the emperor's sending you and recommended Gu to be the Jiangluo envoy?"

"Actually, as long as the disaster relief can be done properly, and the embankment can be rebuilt properly, it doesn't matter whoever goes. Gu didn't intend to compete with the third brother. If the third brother listens to these bastard words, don't take it seriously. These people are short-sighted. They say If you don't mind it, don't hurt your brotherhood with me."

Pei Zhaoheng said: "My brother has never heard of these rumors, and I know that Brother Huang is broad-minded and doesn't care about such trivial matters. Brother Huang is too worried."

The prince smiled and said: "That's the best. You go to Jiangluo this time. I don't worry about your errands. I only worry that if you work too hard, will it hurt the body of the third brother? It's lonely to talk about it." No, the third brother is not feeling well, and Gu has not done much to help, but the son-in-law lives in the same mansion with the third brother, so he has to take care of everything, so he has worried a lot? The brother-in-law, the son-in-law, does a lot more than that. Brother Gu is much more considerate."

When He Gu heard that he suddenly mentioned himself, he was startled, and quickly put down his teacup and said, "It's all trivial matters, nothing to worry about, His Royal Highness is serious."

I don't know if it was He Gu's illusion, although he lowered his head, he clearly felt the prince's eyes froze on his face, as if he was trying to see something from his face, He Gu heard the prince laughing softly With a sound, he said: "Oh? Really? It seems that the third brother and the son-in-law... get along well?"

He Gu was taken aback. He had followed the prince for many years in his previous life, so he could instinctively hear something in the prince's words, but after thinking about it carefully, he couldn't figure out what he wanted to ask, so he could only say dryly: "Third Highness...Third Highness is the minister's brother-in-law. , Now that I'm staying in the princess' mansion, I naturally need to be more careful."

After he finished speaking, the crown prince did not answer, but the feeling of being stared at by him made He Gu feel uncomfortable. It felt like being targeted by a poisonous snake as its prey, and the crown prince did not move away for a long time. He didn't dare to look up, and a layer of cold sweat gradually formed on his back.

At this moment, Pei Zhaoheng suddenly walked up to He Gu, and blocked him without a trace. When He Gu heard His Highness standing in front of him, he said calmly: "Brother Lao Huang is worried for my younger brother, but my younger brother is already dead. It’s much better, Jiangluo is not too far from the capital, so it’s not important to go there.”

Only then did the crown prince look away, and he returned to the spring breeze and rain again. He smiled loudly and said, "That's the best. The third brother has been recovering from illness in Jinling for so long, but he worried the queen so much, she asked her to know when she turned around." , Gu patronizes the disaster relief work, and tells you to work hard again with your father, if you are exhausted, how can you do business with the queen mother?"

He said again: "My son-in-law, get up too. I always heard that you are a cheerful and lively person. Why did I see you twice? On the wedding day and today, you have become more cautious every time? Now there are only three of us, a family One doesn't have to be so cautious."

Only then did He Gu force a smile, thank you and stood up.

The prince turned his gaze back, looked at Pei Zhaoheng and said, "Third brother is about to travel far away, and there is only one sentence that I shouldn't have said, but I still feel a little worried..."

Pei Zhaoheng said: "Brother Huang, it's okay to say."

The crown prince paused for a moment before he said: "Although it's really annoying that those officials are indiscriminately accepting advice and objections, it's just that they say that Brother Heng is still young, which is also true. Brother Heng is on this trip, you need to remember... Although we are The son of the emperor father, his status is not higher than ordinary people, but he can't act like a prince, he must put the overall situation first, if there is something he doesn't understand, he has to learn with humility, and don't act too hastily and impetuously, which hurts the overall situation and the harmony. "

"If the third younger brother becomes a Xuan Fu envoy, he will be an imperial envoy, representing the face of the royal family. The father is a benevolent emperor, and we sons should be more benevolent and generous. If you act a little softer, someone will accept this kindness in the future. Remember your benefits."

The prince's words were already very meaningful, and he was as slow as He Gu, and he felt a little taste.

But Pei Zhaoheng still had that sad, joyless, indifferent appearance without a trace of waves, he just cupped his hands and said: "Brother Huang reminds me, I remember."

The crown prince did not let him go lightly, he fixedly looked at Pei Zhaoheng and asked again, "...do you really remember?"

Pei Zhaoheng said: "My brother, remember." The crown prince was silent for a while, he didn't speak, the hall was completely silent, and the few maids standing beside him didn't even dare to take a breath.

For a moment, the almost silent needle drop could be heard.

After a long while, the crown prince smiled and said: "Okay, it's good that the third brother knows what's in his heart, so I won't say much."

Only then did we start chatting again.

After drinking tea and eating two pieces of snacks, it was almost time, Pei Zhaoheng and He Gucai stood up to say goodbye and leave.

After leaving the East Palace, He Gu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Pei Zhaoheng said, "What happened to Zihuan just now?"

He Gu turned his head to look, and ordered to a row of palace people following the two of them: "Stay away, you don't have to get so close."

After putting some distance away from the palace attendants, he turned his head and whispered to His Highness the Third Highness, "It's nothing, it's just that I feel a little guilty.",

Pei Zhaoheng frowned slightly and said, "Afraid? Zihuan is...afraid of Brother Huang?"

In this life, although He Gu and Pei Zhaoheng have only been together for more than a month, and there have been some embarrassing misunderstandings, but they have the kindness of the Third Highness to help him with family affairs, and the friendship that has been with them for so long Now, the two of them can be regarded as confidants. He Gu knows his character and trusts him in his heart, so he doesn't shy away from it, and doesn't beat around the bush. Show mercy...I'm afraid that there is some relationship with the East Palace and the Chen family, if His Highness strikes too hard and hurts the people in the East Palace, I'm afraid...I'm afraid he will hold grudges."

Pei Zhaoheng looked down at He Gu: "...Why would Zihuan think so?"

When He Gu saw this, he couldn't help feeling a little anxious, thinking, could it be that the Third Highness doesn't believe what he said?Still foolishly thinking that his prince brother is some kind of bodhisattva-hearted and broad-minded good man and believer?

No, His Highness the Third Highness of the previous life clearly saw it clearly, and advised him to run away as soon as possible, why is he blinded now?

Talking to him these days, He Gu knew that His Highness the Third Highness had similar political views to his teacher Wang Ting and the boss, and He Gu was the disciple of the boss, which was probably the reason why the two of them could talk, but if this time The trip to Jiangluo, His Highness the Third Highness is also like a mentor... In case the Chen family and the people in the East Palace in Jiangluo are affected at that time, the Prince will remember to hate him... Nothing is ready yet, the Third Highness is fledgling, if It's really not a good thing to become the prince's target now!

He Gu couldn't help feeling a little anxious, he hurriedly lowered his voice, and persuaded earnestly: "Your Highness, believe me! Prince... The prince is really not what His Highness imagined. Now His Highness has just been involved in politics, and there are many fans in the Middle East Palace. His Royal Highness is a tree with deep roots, and he must not be offended now! I know that His Royal Highness has a gully in his chest and cannot tolerate filth in his eyes, but Jiang Luo has always been rich, and half of the fat people in the court are there, and the relationship is intertwined. Cleaning up the Jiangluo officialdom is by no means a one-day effort, if you act too hastily, not only will you not achieve any results, but you will also offend the East Palace, so you must be cautious."

Pei Zhaoheng looked at him and said nothing.

When He Gu was in front of the "Eldest Princess", he always looked like a little fool without a brain. It was the first time Pei Zhaoheng saw him talk so hard and earnestly. He didn't realize that Zihuan could think so much...

But at this moment, the worry and concern in He Gu's eyes were so real.

Pei Zhaoheng's Adam's apple moved slightly, and he looked down at He Gu without saying a word, but his mind was full of thoughts.

He couldn't help thinking: This person...why did he do this?

Since she rejected him resolutely, she was ruthless to the point of cruelty.

And trust him unreservedly, firmly and unwaveringly.

He has no foundation in the court, and his "true identity" is nothing more than a weak prince who has been ill for many years. One of his two princes is already the heir of the Eastern Palace, supported by all officials, and the righteous aspires. With Uncle Wei Ningbo Wen Xiuming's two down-to-earth battalion talismans in his hand, how could He Gu dare to be so sure, without even seeing that he, the righteous master, had the slightest intention of seizing the reserve, and started to look after himself? She paved the way for him on her own, as if she had single-mindedly determined that he was the lord?

On that day, Huan said that he hoped that he would "be worthy of being an emperor".

If you want to ask Pei Zhaoheng how he felt when he heard this...

It can only be said...anyone who has deep pockets and ambitions, and who comes from a royal family like Pei Zhaoheng, it is impossible not to be touched.

What's more, Zihuan said this.

……

Seeing His Highness the Third Highness not speaking for a long time, He Gu thought that he was young and energetic and would not listen to persuasion, and felt a little anxious, and was about to persuade him again, and said: "Your Highness, you..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Pei Zhaoheng.

"I know."

He Gu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what he said, but he still couldn't help but reminded him a few more words: "I know His Highness doesn't tolerate sand in his eyes, it's just that if you can't bear it, you can make big plans. Now..."

Pei Zhaoheng said: "I know, Zihuan doesn't need to explain."

He Gu was startled, and looked up at him, only to see Pei Zhaoheng's pair of peach blossom eyes staring at him for a moment.

...Ever since that embarrassing night in Yanfu, Pei Zhaoheng has not looked at him like this for a long time.

So when He Gu was caught off guard, he raised his eyes and met his eyes, and the two looked at each other. He Gu's heart almost skipped a beat when he saw him. : "Zihuan."

When he yelled like this, He Gu became even more panicked when he called him. He thought to himself that the Third Highness would stop for a few days and start again. Didn't he want to get away?

I had no choice but to bite the bullet and replied: "...What's the matter, Your Highness?"

Pei Zhaoheng was silent for a while, and said: "There is something that I have kept from you for a long time, my father and I will tell you when I come back from Jiangluo this trip."

He Gu was taken aback, and said, "Ah? What's the matter?"

Pei Zhaoheng smiled, but the smile was very shallow and did not reach his eyes.

... and did not answer him.