Stranger and Chen in the Palace

Although the emperor's trip was very low-key, the whole court knew about it very quickly.There has never been anything in this palace that can escape the eyes of someone with a heart, let alone the person concerned has no intention of hiding it.

When Ling Yichen went to court again, he clearly felt that everyone's eyes on him became complicated.

Everyone thought that the third prince was just being favored, at most he wanted to curry favor with the emperor, but now that Xue Jingting was standing behind him, the meaning changed completely.Although Xue Jingting could not be said to be able to cover the sky with one hand in the court, he was definitely an extremely human minister. When he uttered a word, the entire court and the public trembled.Before, he had always been indifferent to the wooing of the two factions, but now he was clearly standing on the same boat as the third prince.It seems that in the future, the two factions will compete against each other, and I am afraid that it will become a tripartite confrontation.Moreover, judging from the emperor's attitude, the chances of winning for the three princes were even greater than that of King Yu.

The appearance of Ling Yichen undoubtedly made the situation of Li Chu more complicated and confusing, and all the ministers were nervous in their hearts.Before, because Xue Jingting was separated from the two factions, there were many ministers in the court who chose to be neutral like him. Now that even Xue Jingting has stood up, they have to make a choice.

Although Yu Wang Ling Yihong's chances of winning are not high, he is the eldest prince, and according to the legacy of his ancestors, he should inherit the throne, and he has many cronies in the army and court; Supported by the strong backing of the queen and the 30 troops of the Ji family, they are the most powerful among the three princes. Throughout the ages, the strong have the final say. What's more, the two princes don't seem to be meek masters; But the third prince, Ling Yichen, is the most favored by the emperor, and behind him is Xue Jingting, who controls the government affairs...

If even Xue Jingting can't stand alone, others must find a way out, but which side should they stand on?

Leaving aside the thoughts of all the ministers, since learning that the emperor brought Ling Yichen to the prime minister's private visit, King Yu's face has never looked good.Ling Yihao, on the other hand, didn't show anything, as if he wasn't affected at all.

After going to Xiangfu, Ling Yichen's life became busy.Every day after going to court, he goes to the academy, and in the afternoon he reads the books and materials Xue Zimo brought to him. These books and materials are personally designated by Xue Jingting. They cover a wide range of subjects, but they all revolve around the art of the emperor.Although Ling Yichen's talent is good, but after all these years wasted in Yingyuan, Concubine Yun only taught him some basic studies, and he didn't understand the skills that a prince should master.

However, Xue Jingting did not take care of Ling Yichen because of his delay. On the contrary, the requirements were very strict, and the homework he arranged was also very intense. Ling Yichen had to put all his attention on the study that Xue Jingting had arranged for him.Xue Zimo would occasionally visit him in the afternoon to help him explain some doubts and difficulties.

Although life is very busy, Ling Yichen still insists on practicing martial arts every night. Lian Feng and Lian Huang are by his side, both subordinates and teachers. Over the past few months, I have grown a lot.

On this day, Ling Yichen had just had lunch and was about to start studying when Xue Zimo came suddenly and asked him to go to the Prime Minister's residence, saying that Xue Jingting wanted to inspect his studies.Ling Yichen quickly put down the books in his hands, and went to the Prime Minister's mansion with Xue Zimo.

After getting along for several months, the relationship between the two has become closer than before, but only a little.Xue Zimo is very gentle, getting along with him is like bathing in the warm spring breeze.But Ling Yichen knew that the more such a person was, the harder it was to really get into his heart, so Ling Yichen was already very satisfied with the progress of the relationship between the two.

When he came to the flower hall of Xiangfu, Ling Yichen saw not only Xue Jingting, but also twenty or thirty officials. Ling Yichen was no stranger to these people. He saw them every day when he went to court. He was slightly surprised that these people were all from Xue Jingting. !

When a group of officials saw Ling Yichen coming, they all stood up and saluted. Xue Jingting was about to kneel down when he was supported by Ling Yichen who walked quickly.He saluted Xue Jingting respectfully, and said: "Teacher, you are well. I heard that the teacher is going to test Chen'er's homework. Chen'er didn't dare to delay and came here immediately. It is really Chen'er's fault that you have been waiting for so long." .”

Xue Jingting let Ling Yichen to the top with a smile, and said: "Your Highness is serious. It's just that we old guys haven't got together for a long time, so we just chatted here. Your Highness, please take a seat."

Ling Yichen nodded, and sat side by side with Xue Jingting at the main seat above the flower hall.After the two of them sat down, all the officials took their seats again.The flower hall in Xiangfu's mansion is very large, with twenty or thirty people sitting there, it is still not crowded at all.

From the moment Ling Yichen appeared at the door, everyone's eyes never left him.Because of this, Ling Yichen's respectful attitude towards Xue Jingting completely fell into their eyes.Everyone couldn't help sighing in their hearts that the third prince could be a man, no wonder Xue Jingting would choose him, if one day Ling Yichen really succeeded to the throne, Xue Jingting's position would probably be even more unshakable.

Everyone looked at Xue Jingting at this time, apart from being more respectful, there was also a bit of indescribable envy.

These [-] or [-] officials hold various positions and are exposed to all kinds of government affairs.According to Xue Jingting's intention, they investigated Ling Yichen one by one with questions related to their positions, such as functions and government affairs.At first, Ling Yichen answered the questions fluently, while Xue Jingting was silent and drank tea quietly.

As time passed, the questions asked by the officials became more and more tricky. Seeing that Ling Yichen still failed to pass the test, they simply threw out the difficult problems that they could not solve in the process of government affairs.Ling Yichen's answering speed was obviously not as smooth as it was at the beginning, but he was always thinking calmly, without any panic about not being able to answer the questions.Sometimes, in order to open up more ideas for answering questions, he would ask the officials some related questions, which made the officials even have the illusion that they were not examiners, but were being tested.

After several efforts, Ling Yichen answered some questions very beautifully, and although he failed to answer some questions, it was not far away.All the officials couldn't help admiring in their hearts, these three princes are indeed not just in the pool, they have the talents of emperors, and given time, they will definitely be even better.Even Xue Jingting, who had been silent by the side, showed a hint of admiration on his face. The third prince was talented and intelligent, and he was willing to study hard.

If Xue Jingting was still thinking about coping and probing at the beginning, then from now on, he would wholeheartedly cultivate Ling Yichen. Now that he was in this muddy water, he would naturally do his best to win this battle.

From then on, Xue Jingting would ask Ling Yichen to come to the prime minister's house to check his homework from time to time.However, this is only in name. In fact, every time I go there, I will discuss political affairs with Xue Jingting's disciples and teach him how to handle and go deep into various government affairs. After all, no matter how good the theory is, it is not as important as actual combat exercises.And Ling Yichen also really saw Xue Jingting's strength in the court. Although the officials who taught him how to deal with government affairs were not as many as the first time he met, they all held important positions in the court. Ling Yichen knew in his heart that he had initially obtained Xue Jingting's trust.

At this moment, in the court hall, with the help of Xue Jingting, more and more officials expressed their sincerity to Ling Yichen. The third prince's limelight was unmatched in the court for a while, and even some officials under King Yu were eager to move. It seems to have a heart of sincerity.

The master is beautiful, and the slave is naturally doubly proud, Shunde can be said to be very comfortable during this time.

In the past, he was just a little eunuch who was bullied by others, but now he is the closest person to the most favored prince. Anyone who sees him will hold him like they are seeing their ancestors.But Shunde also understands that his master gave him today, and it is his duty to serve the master well, so Shunde pays more attention to Ling Yichen's food and clothing.Seeing that Ling Yichen didn't eat much at noon, he went to the imperial dining room to bring the blood swallow jujube mud cake that they specially prepared for Ling Yichen.

In fact, Ling Yichen was indeed a little hungry. When he was reading at noon, he encountered an interesting problem and couldn't help but indulge in it. When he recovered from the book, the food was cold, so he ate a couple of bites.

Shunde put the Xueyan jujube paste cake lightly on Ling Yichen's desk, then stepped aside as usual, Ling Yichen picked up a piece of cake and prepared to eat.Suddenly, a baby bird named unknown flew over, it seemed to be hungry too, it didn't avoid strangers, and began to peck at the pastry in Ling Yichen's hand.

Seeing this scene, Ling Yichen suddenly remembered what happened when he was a child, when his mother and concubine were still there.

It was a mid-autumn festival afternoon, and a few birds flew to the table, pecking at the only piece of five-nut mooncake they were planning to use for the mid-autumn festival.Ling Yichen originally wanted to drive the little birds away, but seeing his concubine mother seemed happy to see the little birds pecking at them, he let the birds peck away the mooncakes he had been looking forward to for a long time.

However, the memories stopped, because the bird that was still pecking at Ling Yichen's hand just now fell to the table and died, Shunde couldn't help exclaiming: "Toxic——"

Ling Yichen's eyes flashed, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Shunde was already stunned, and when he came to his senses, he burst into tears. He knelt down with a plop, and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, the poison was not done by the servant. The servant does not know that this snack is poisonous, otherwise he would not dare to die." Serving it to His Highness, I really don't know how this snack can be poisonous..." You know, poisoning the prince is a serious crime against the nine clans. Shunde is terrified. Not enough to chop.

"I know it's not you, get up." Ling Yichen interrupted him calmly.

Shunde was stunned when he heard that, he still had a lot of pleading words to say, but since His Highness said it was not him, he would not blame him for bringing the poisonous snacks, Shunde let out a long sigh of relief, and his life was saved !But soon he became angry again, who on earth dared to poison His Highness's dessert? !

Lian Feng, who was standing beside Ling Yichen, frowned and said, "Your Highness, have you reported this matter to Your Majesty?"

Shunde wiped away the tears hanging on his face when he heard the words, and said again and again: "Yes, yes, report to His Majesty, this servant will report to His Majesty..."

"It's just that a bird died, so there's no need to make a fuss." Ling Yichen said lightly.

"But—" Shunde wanted to say something, but he saw Ling Yichen slowly raised the corners of his mouth, with a hint of coldness in his eyes, and said: "Speaking of which, I haven't formally met the royal brothers and brothers since I've been out of the garden for so long. It’s time to connect with each other.”