I am a ruler in troubled times

Eunuch An didn't know what happened, and he didn't dare to force him to persuade him, so he hurried into the main hall to find someone who could have the final say.

It took half a stick of incense to pass before Eunuch An came out to call Ping Zhang and Song Peiyu in.

Song Peiyu silently followed behind Ping Zhang, trying to cover up the tingling pain in her legs and the unnaturalness of her movements, but she noticed the presence of eyes on her legs as soon as she entered the door.

In fact, it was just kneeling for half a stick of incense, Song Peiyu really wouldn't kneel until her legs became limp.

But he is indeed growing up recently. Last year's clothes are obviously much shorter. Even if he does nothing, he still feels leg pain occasionally.

It can only be said that they just hit together.

His dignity was not preserved, Song Peiyu simply gave up covering up.

When people feel uncomfortable, they always mistakenly think that strange postures will make them feel better, and Song Peiyu is no exception.

Before the two of them came to the front, Chong Yi's ridicule had already reached Song Peiyu's ears, "What's wrong with the legs, I didn't see such a useless one on the day of the Taimiao sacrifice."

"It hurts," Song Peiyu replied honestly.

He couldn't explain to Chong Yi that he lacked calcium because he was too tall, and his bones were weaker than usual.

Chong Yi sneered, and raised his chin towards the empty chair next to him.

Seeing this, Eunuch An, who was always frowning, quickly pulled Song Peiyu's sleeves and went to the chair, "Young Yin, go and have a rest, and I'll bring you two small hand stoves to put on your lap later, so don't get sick."

Song Peiyu looked at Chong Yi's expressionless face and hesitated for a while, thinking how likely it was that he would be easily let go if he followed the trend.

In the end, it was concluded that it was less than [-]%.

So Song Peiyu followed Eunuch An's strength and sat down.

Ping Zhang went straight to Chong Yi and knelt down, bowing his head deeply.

Chong Yi glanced at Ping Zhang, ate his snacks on his own, and didn't care about Ping Zhang at all.

Eunuch An didn't even dare to serve hot tea to Song Peiyu, and retreated silently, guarding the door himself.

Song Peiyu suddenly felt that the timing of his visit was not very good, and he should stagger it with Ping Zhang.

In his heart, he was absolutely unwilling to let Pingzhang know what mistakes he had made, and to judge others by himself, Song Peiyu felt that Pingzhang probably didn't want him to see the current scene either.

But it was already here, and he couldn't say to Chong Yi, "I'll come again later", Song Peiyu could only lower his head and stare at Cai Sui at his waist, trying not to fall on Ping Zhang.

When the mood calmed down, Song Peiyu suddenly realized that Chong Yi had just made an exception in order to make an exception, and asked for trouble in the Palace of Qinzheng.

After Chong Yi finished his snacks, La Jinling called his servants to come in and ordered two more trays of snacks and a pot of hot tea, as if he could not see Ping Zhang who was still kneeling on the ground and Song Peiyu who was sitting like a sculpture.

When all the servants in the flower hall left again, Song Peiyu had vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

After eating and drinking enough, Chong Yi closed his eyes and took a nap for a while, as if he finally found a big living person kneeling in front of him, he said lazily, "What are you doing kneeling?"

"I did something wrong and caused His Highness to worry about me, so I came to apologize to His Highness." Ping Zhang kowtowed his head with a muffled sound, and a small bruise appeared on his forehead just once.

Without waiting for anyone to ask, Pingzhang honestly told all the things he just smoothed out, "The string of agates is something left by my father. Because it came from a wrong way, it has been sealed up all the time. After arriving in Xianyang, I just took out the agates and put them in my hand as a thought. When I was in Qinzheng Palace, I carefully observed the agates in King Su’s hand, and it was indeed the string in my study.”

Song Peiyu still lowered his head to admire the colorful tassels on his waist, but it didn't delay him pricking up his ears to listen to Pingzhang's words.

Song Peiyu can also think of why the agate skewer came from a wrong way.

Although there are two flaws in the agate, it still does not affect that the string of agate is a rare treasure.

When Pingzhang's father died in battle, Emperor Yonghe was not even a great general of Jianwei, and he might not have a few such treasures himself.

At least judging from Emperor Yonghe's reaction just now, he doesn't know this string of agates.

Then the origin of this string of agates is worth considering...

It's just that Song Peiyu didn't expect that Pingzhang would tell Chongyi so easily about the unknown origin of the agate skewers.

It can be said that everything Pingzhang has now is the result of his father's shadow.But he easily said something that might make Emperor Yonghe completely loathe his father.

Strictly speaking, Pingzhang was the first person Song Peiyu met who chose Chongyi between Emperor Yonghe and Chongyi after he had been in the East Palace for so long.

This made Song Peiyu a little suspicious, whether Ping Zhang's stupidity and clumsiness in school in the past was due to his rough and informal nature, or his great wisdom and stupidity.

After all, if Chongyi were not present today, the helpless Pingzhang would be punished much more severely than Wei Zhong, at least he would be deprived of his eligibility to study in Donggong Academy.

And Pingzhang's greatest dignity outside now is the affection he grew up with Chongyi.

"Who took that string of agates from your study?" Chong Yi asked.

Ping Zhang lowered his head even lower, and said in a muffled voice, "I don't know."

"Go and inform the emperor first, and then sell all the slaves in your house." Chong Yi said coldly, "Go and get thirty army sticks."

"Yes!" Pingzhang kowtowed again, and walked away happily, and gave Song Peiyu an encouraging gesture before leaving.

However, Song Peiyu just wanted to drink some hot tea to calm down the shock.

Chong Yi is too cruel.

Whether it's the sale of all the servants in the house, or the thirty army sticks, it is incredible in Song Peiyu's eyes.

"What's your business?" Chong Yi said as he stood up from the chair to get the sword hanging on the wall.

Song Peiyu also stood up, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the light reflected by the sword on the side of Chong Yi's face. Inexplicably, his legs felt weak, and he said without confidence, "I want to apologize to Your Highness for what happened yesterday."

"En." Chong Yi pulled out all the swords, and casually drew a complicated sword flower, "Say it, I'll listen."

"The jade pendant of General Wei Zhong was wrapped in oiled paper and fell out of my sleeve under the plum tree." Song Peiyu started from the unavoidable place, "I did it on purpose, but I just didn't expect to be seen by His Highness. .”

Chong Yi turned his head to look at Song Peiyu, with a firm tone, "Yesterday you said that you specially entered the palace to pay my respects, but it was just an excuse, in fact, it was to frame Wei Zhong."

Song Peiyu felt that she could still struggle a bit, and looked at Chong Yi sincerely, "I just wanted to greet Your Highness, and I happened to see a chance to put the jade pendant in Liu's residence."

Chong Yi looked critically at Song Peiyu's flawless expression, and concluded, "You are lying."

Song Peiyu was about to speak when he suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. The sword in Chong Yi's hand was resting on his shoulders.

"I can't hold it anymore. I don't have the hobby of beheading people for no reason." Chong Yi's tone was not sincere.

This was the first time in Song Peiyu's two lives that a sharp object was placed around his neck, but his thoughts were very clear.

He knew that Chong Yi's sword cut iron like mud, and every time Chong Yi practiced his sword, the martial arts field was always scarred.

He also knew that Chong Yi's hand was very steady, as long as he didn't want to, there would be absolutely no accidental injury.

He also knows that Chong Yi will "miss" if he wants to "miss", and he will not have any worries. His life and death are between Chong Yi's thoughts, but he has not yet discerned whether Chong Yi has any intention of killing him.

It is rare for Chong Yi to take the initiative to speak up when others are speechless, "What did you just say?"

When it came to whether he wanted to put the jade pendant in Liu's mansion before he came to the East Palace to pay his respects, or whether he came to the East Palace to pay his respects and happened to meet an excellent opportunity to put the jade pendant in Liu's mansion.

Song Peiyu was very knowledgeable about current affairs and changed his words, "After discovering the 'auspicious fruit', I knew His Majesty would not let Liu Ke go. I didn't want to miss this opportunity, knowing that only Your Highness can help me."

Chong Yi snorted and didn't care about the cautiousness in Song Peiyu's words, "Talk about Yupei".

"I found someone to steal it out, and I also found a craftsman to find the mechanisms inside." Since there is no way to lie, Song Peiyu simply admitted frankly, "If Your Highness is curious about the details, I can tell you one by one."

Of course Chong Yi was not curious, he took the sword away from Song Peiyu's shoulder, went to take a piece of gray-black wolf fur to wipe the sword, and looked at Song Peiyu while wiping the sword, "Go ahead, don't make me ask."

Song Peiyu pretended not to notice, and Chong Yi took away the initiative that he had managed to grab with a short sentence. He approached the person who seemed to be concentrating on wiping his sword, and suddenly brought up an irrelevant topic, "Does Your Highness believe in feelings? ?”

Chong Yi's movements stopped, he was half sitting on the table, so he could see Song Peiyu's expression clearly without looking down.

After a year, Song Peiyu was thinner than before, and the only flesh on her cheeks gradually disappeared.

At this time, Song Peiyu's expression made Chong Yi feel as if he saw the young man from a family who was incompatible with Lihua Village.

"I believe." Chong Yi gave an answer that surprised Song Peiyu.

Song Peiyu has long been used to Chongyi's various non-routines, and said with a light smile, "I also believe that I know that Wei Zhong is the secret work of Chen Guo, but I have no evidence, so I can only use this kind of trick to remind Your Majesty. Throw grass to scare the snake, and prevent the snake from hiding in the dark and waiting for an opportunity."

"I am loyal to Your Highness, and I have a clear conscience about what I have done." Song Peiyu said what he said outside the Hall of Qinzheng yesterday, but changed 'Zhao Guo' into 'Your Highness'.

Song Peiyu has already made up his mind, he wants to put Bao on Chong Yi, and the time has come for him to make up his mind and let him go.

Song Peiyu's attitude towards Chong Yi was full of hesitation and distrust from the very beginning.

Song Peiyu once hoped that Chong Yi was a fool, but felt that the fool was too uncontrollable.A fool who can be fooled by anyone may turn against him at any time and stand on the side of someone who can fool him even more.

Besides, Chong Yi is not easy to be coaxed at all, he only does what he wants to do, and he will never change his principle of doing things easily because of anyone, Song Peiyu has a deep understanding of this.

Song Peiyu hoped that Chongyi would be a wise and hard-working monarch, and he would wholeheartedly assist Chongyi to become a prosperous and wise emperor like his elder brother assisted Emperor Yonghe.

It's a pity that after close observation during this period, it is obvious that Chong Yi is only intelligent and keen.If people must have dreams, Chongyi's dream is to be a salted fish doing nothing.

The more he understands Chong Yi's character, the more Song Peiyu feels helpless.

Chong Yi is like a ferocious beast enjoying itself in an indestructible tortoise shell.

With soft ones, Song Peiyu watched Emperor Yonghe and King Su tried countless times, but they couldn't even break through the turtle shell.

With a hard one, Song Peiyu didn't want to risk his life to see what would happen if he was swooped on by a lion.

But Song Peiyu finally saw something valuable in Chong Yi.

Chong Yi is smart, sensitive and not stupid. Such a person will not be easily deceived and deceived by villains.Chongyi's servants are never suspicious. Ever since Song Peiyu mastered the warehouse of the East Palace, he has done a lot of frantic explorations on the verge of danger. Song Peiyu still dare not guess what Emperor Yonghe is thinking.Song Peiyu was sure that Chong Yi didn't take it to heart.

Today, Ping Zhang and Chong Yi get along differently, which makes Song Peiyu see something new. Chong Yi will protect his weaknesses, not only protect King Su and Emperor Yonghe, but also protect other people around him.This is definitely an advantage for a wise and keen monarch.

Song Peiyu thinks that although she can't be selfless, she won't become a traitor either.Loyal to such a Chongyi, after Chongyi came to power, it will still be like it is now, the power in the court...

As a person who can honestly face his own desires, Song Peiyu can't say that he is not tempted.

Chong Yi was still terribly calm and straight to the point, "The one you want to serve is His Highness the Third Highness, the heir of the Zhao Kingdom, not me."

"But you are the third highness, even if there are fourth, fifth or even sixth highnesses in the future, I will still stand behind you." Song Peiyu bent down to Chong Yi, and said firmly, "Even if there are different voices in the clan, the minister's heart It won't change either."

Not to mention that the Emperor Yonghe in the book didn't have a second child at all, even if there is a newborn in the harem next year, Song Peiyu doesn't think the newborn can threaten Chongyi's status.

Chong Yi is not the treasure in the hands of Emperor Yonghe alone, but the eyeballs of the three brothers and sisters of Emperor Yonghe.

Based on Emperor Yonghe's feelings for the eldest princess and King Su, even if he would like his younger son more in the future, he would respect the opinions of the eldest princess and King Su.

Besides, the big family never puts all their eggs in one basket unless it is a time of life or death. This is an old rule that has been passed down for many years.

Although Song Peiyu usually speaks a lot of Mandarin, the promises to Chong Yi at this time are all from the heart.

Chong Yi stared fixedly at Song Peiyu without saying a word, as if he was judging whether Song Peiyu's words were true or not, or simply hesitating.

Song Peiyu is not just a goose who can only shout slogans, he said to Chong Yi, "I can help His Highness handle the affairs of the Eastern Palace, and he can also do things that His Highness wants to do but is afraid of getting into trouble, such as Mu Shi in Qinzheng Palace today. You are so aggressive in the middle, and Empress Shun of Liangyi Palace... In the future, whether His Highness seals the king and opens the mansion or goes a step further, all the ministers will be able to help you take care of it."

"Your Majesty won't let Mu Qing handle this for you. Even with His Majesty's support, Pingzhang doesn't have enough confidence. I'm afraid he won't be able to convince the crowd, but my minister is different." Song Peiyu raised the corners of her mouth proudly, her body was full of vigor, and she rarely showed her age-appropriate appearance. edges and corners.

Chong Yi's gaze swept across Song Peiyu's vigorous face, and he threw away the gray wolf skin casually.

With a sound of 'clang', the sword returned to its sheath.

Chong Yi held the small box on the top of Duobao Pavilion in his hand, and looked at Song Peiyu again, "You are a companion reading, it is a transaction between us, I don't care what you think or do. It is different to be loyal to me. Neither one is your strong point."

Ping Zhang's figure first appeared in Song Peiyu's mind, so it doesn't matter if his family background is not enough or not smart enough, as long as he is loyal enough?

Since the words were out of his mouth, Song Peiyu never thought of retreating, he would only become more determined each time, "I am loyal to Your Highness, and the sun and the moon can learn from each other."

"I don't need to learn from the sun and the moon, I can see it." Chong Yi smiled, opened the box in his hand, took out a sapphire string, took Song Peiyu's hand, and wrapped it around again and again, "I reward you, take it Let's play."

The sapphires are all the size of soybeans. What is rare is that the color is so clear that there is no difference in size or luster. It took four full circles around Song Peiyu's wrist to catch it.At the end of the skewer was a small jade tablet carved from blue jade. Song Peiyu had sharp eyes and saw the words on it.

The front is 'Yi'

Chong Yi's name is taboo.

followed by 'Royal'

This means that this string of sapphires was created after Emperor Yonghe proclaimed himself emperor. It was jointly produced by Shanggong Bureau and Jiusi, and was filed by the Ministry of Rites.

This string of sapphires is far more than their own priceless value, but also the meaning of seeing the person you meet.

Knowing that Chong Yi gave him this string probably with the idea of ​​paying out the monthly silver in advance, but Song Peiyu felt that he got the original stock of the start-up company.

In the future, as Chongyi goes further, the significance of this sapphire string will only increase.

Back home, Song Peiyu went straight to the eldest room.

It's a pity to learn that Song Jinyu is staying in the palace again, so he has no choice but to return to Tianhuju.

When Jin Bao brought the account book and came looking for him with a beaming face, Song Peiyu was surprised to find that the Fragrant Court, where he sells soap and soap, opened today.

The shop in Fenfangting was chosen by Song Peiyu herself in Song San's study, it is located in the center of Xianyang.The surroundings are not bookshops and brush and ink shops, but cloth shops and jewelry shops, and the things in them are not cheap.

The Fenfang Court is open today, and there will be a grand opening event.

Free soap when you buy soap, as much as you buy.

A small piece of ordinary white soap in Fenfangting costs five qian.

The most basic, only dyed soap costs one tael of silver.

Soaps that are dyed and scented with flowers cost two taels of silver.

Transparent color, soap that can see the petals inside, at least five taels of silver to start.

Among them, the most expensive soap costs ten taels of silver for just one piece.

Ordinary people in Xianyang spend a year's expenses on par with the slightly higher-end soaps in Fragrant Court.

Because of the high price, the activity of buying soap and giving soap is very popular.Especially the most basic soap, thanks to Song Peiyu's explanation in advance that there will be a purchase restriction, so they are not sold out.

If it weren't for the word 'Song' engraved on the signboard of the shop, and Song Jingming and Song Jingjue were drinking tea in the backyard of the shop, the shop might be smashed by angry servants and maids before they were all sold out.

"All the inventory in Fragrant Court has been sold, and the total income today is 800 taels, with a net profit of more than [-] taels." Jinbao handed the account book to Song Peiyu, without closing his mouth.

Song Peiyu was also taken aback, "So many?"

You must know that when his family was the richest, he never had so much cash on hand.

"It's more than that." Jin Bao couldn't wait to say, "Many people didn't buy it, and they kept asking when it would be restocked. There are also wealthy businessmen from other places who contacted me, wanting to take a piece from Fenfangting when they leave Youzhou." They are willing to increase the price for a batch of goods.”

Song Peiyu was not moved, the rich merchants in Yanzhou just happened to sell 'auspicious fruits', he must have doubts when he heard about these wandering merchants again.

Besides, Song Peiyu is not a fool who firmly believes in scholars, farmers, businessmen, looks down on businessmen and wants to squeeze money from them.

He is naturally wary of businessmen, especially wandering businessmen who live in no fixed place, who may be spies from any country.

"Don't give them a letter of approval, and don't need to replenish Fenfangting for the time being." Song Peiyu flipped through the ledger while ordering Jinbao, "Give rewards to the people on the Zhuangzi, and transfer people from other Zhuangzi to make soap. Zhuangzi , like the previous people, the monthly silver is settled according to the craftsmanship and the number of soaps made."

In a short period of time, Song Peiyu planned to use the method of hunger marketing to make everyone miss Fenfangting.Only in this way will people who are not short of money at home can't help but grab the new soap even though they have soap at home.

After all, there are only so many rich people in Xianyang, and Song Peiyu has no one to sell soap and soap in other places.

To solve this problem, home is undoubtedly the best choice. Soong Peiyu asked Jin Bao, "Is there a big shopkeeper who runs a business at home? No matter which room you are in, tell me."

The excitement on Jin Bao's face suddenly dissipated, and he said softly, "Originally there were, but they moved from Luoyang to Xianyang, and none of the shopkeepers followed."

Did not follow or failed to follow, Song Peiyu didn't want to think about it, so she could only keep this matter in her heart and pay attention to it later.

Although it is risky to use traveling merchants, you can't give up eating because of choking, and cultivating loyal traveling merchants will kill multiple birds with one stone.

The Hall of Qinzheng was also brightly lit, and the Qin Tianjian matter involved a lot. The fact that the chief culprit, Liu Ke, had dealt with it did not mean that the others in the Qin Tianjian were innocent.

It was not until the third watch that the Taimiao sacrifices and the auspicious fruits were brought to an end.

Those who stayed to work overtime were taken by the eunuchs to rest in other rooms of Qinzheng Palace, but King Su and Song Jinyu were left to drink tea by Emperor Yonghe.

Eunuch Meng, who had settled down the others, patted his head first when he entered the door, and hurriedly trotted to Emperor Yonghe, "Earlier, Lao An from the Eastern Palace came to send a message, and brought some mild food by the way, and sent someone to warm up your Majesty? "

King Su clapped his palms and smiled, "I'm lucky today."

Emperor Yonghe held his head and laughed, he still doesn't know King Su?If he was really hungry for the small kitchen in the East Palace, he would have gone directly to grab a meal.

After all the eunuchs had gone out, Eunuch Meng said something from the East Palace, and said softly, "Your Highness said, Wei Zhong is lying."

The atmosphere in Qinzheng Hall, which had been eased by the food in the East Palace, froze instantly.

Emperor Yonghe couldn't get out of his mind, and sighed, "Wei Zhong."

"Why do you think so much, Your Majesty?" Song Jinyu comforted softly, "Your Highness only said that Wei Zhong lied, but we don't know why Wei Zhong lied. Maybe he was just involved and didn't want to be misunderstood by His Majesty..."

Song Jinyu couldn't help laughing, he felt guilty for saying this.

How could Wei Zhong not know that every word he said today is of great significance.

"Damn it!" King Su slapped his palm on the table, shaking the teacup, "I'm going to copy Baiyanlang's house right now!"

"Sit down for me!" Emperor Yonghe put his foot on King Su's buttocks, "How old is he, yet he can't hold his breath."

Song Jinyu drank his tea with his head down, pretending not to see the farce in front of him.

Wei Zhong was not good in every way, but he was right when he said something. He was one of the few old ministers around Emperor Yonghe.

If Wei Zhong was easily dealt with without evidence, it would inevitably give the court a wrong signal, thinking that Emperor Yonghe was not completely safe, and wanted to cook his bow and hide.

When Emperor Yonghe and King Su both calmed down, Song Jinyu murmured and said, "Wei Zhong is quite calm in his response today. I think Liu Ke's matter really does not involve him. At least he has been thinking about it behind closed doors for the past six months. He has no soldiers in his hands. Doing stupid things. Although we all know that His Highness will never make a mistake in perceiving people's hearts, we still need to find evidence, which is also to protect His Highness."

Although he was pressed down by Emperor Yonghe, Su Wang, who was still unconvinced, completely calmed down after hearing the words.

Who can guarantee that he will never lie or do anything wrong?

Even if the people in the court know that Chong Yi can tell whether others are lying at a glance, they can't turn Chong Yi's words into a standard for judging crimes, otherwise Chong Yi will definitely become the first target of public criticism.

After a long time, Emperor Yonghe changed the subject. He asked Song Peiyu, "I don't know if Li Nu is annoyed by facing Suzaku all day long. Has he ever complained to you?"

Song Jinyu smiled, "I didn't tell him not to lie in front of His Highness."

Emperor Yonghe and King Su looked at Song Jinyu at the same time, not because they didn't believe Song Jinyu's words, but they couldn't understand.

"He has been with His Highness in the East Palace for a few years and will enter the court, and he may be released in the future. How can I protect him forever?" Song Jinyu sighed, "The raccoon slave always has to find out what the people around him look like. If you want to come to me His Highness also has two points of disrespect, and the most important thing for Li Nu is to be kicked out of the East Palace by His Highness, but it will not hinder any major events."

"That's true." King Su echoed, "I originally thought that the kitten would be thrown out in ten days at most, after all, Suzaku has such a temper, alas."