Make peace with the Lord of the Prairie

The empress dowager is the biological mother of Emperor Qianyuan, with a noble status, but when the first emperor was alive, she was just the most ordinary one among the many concubines in the harem.The empress dowager was not drafted into the palace, and there was no strong support from her mother's family behind her.

In the sixth year of the first emperor's reign, a plague broke out in the southwest.At that time, the situation in the Southwest was complicated. Apart from the people living in Anling, there were also many foreign races and small countries.

Originally, the multi-party balance of power has been harmoniously coexisting in the southwest, but a plague plunged the entire Anling into chaos, and other small countries and tribes took advantage of the vacancy to attack Anling.

The first emperor, who was brave and good at fighting, immediately led the army to defend against the enemy.

The war in the southwest lasted for three years before it completely subsided.Three years later, the first emperor led his army to return triumphantly, and brought back a beautiful young woman at the same time.The next day, the first emperor ordered the woman to be made a concubine.That person is the Empress Dowager, the former Concubine Li.

No one in the palace knew about Concubine Li's origin, only that she was brought back from the southwest by the former emperor.

In the harem at that time, the intrigue among the concubines was fierce, but Concubine Li has been very low-key since entering the harem, basically staying in her own palace, embroidering flowers and chanting Buddha, never getting involved in harem disputes.After observing for a while, the other concubines found that she didn't seem to be a threat, so they didn't pay much attention.

When Concubine Li first entered the palace, she was favored by the late emperor for a period of time, but later, with more and more government affairs in the court and beauties from all over the world were sent to the harem, in just half a year, Concubine Li was left out in the cold up.

After being left out in the cold by the former emperor, Concubine Li's sense of presence in the harem became increasingly low. She usually stayed in her own palace without leaving the gate. Even the other concubines almost forgot about her existence.It was later, when the fifth child of the first emperor was born, that the first emperor's attention was regained.But only two years later, the tenth prince, who later became King Su, was born.Since the tenth prince was born, he had snatched all the love from the former emperor, so Emperor Qianyuan, who was a little mediocre compared to his older brothers, gradually lost attention, and was once again neglected along with his mother concubine Li Concubine.

However, no one expected that it would be the mother and son who were the least valued and least favored that would win the thrilling crown prince battle in the end.

In fact, when Emperor Qianyuan came to the throne at that time, there were voices of doubt in the court and among the people.At that time, the harem was very closely connected with the former court, and the favored concubines were all the daughters of ministers, but in the end the major families lost to an ordinary woman with no power, so naturally anyone would doubt it.

After Concubine Li became the Empress Dowager, someone also secretly investigated her background, but the one who could not be found out was just an ordinary southwestern girl, no one in her family was even an official, and she only had a small business in the local area.

Tuobahong and He Zexi's impression of the queen dowager who hardly showed her face was limited to the little folk girl who was doing business at home, but Ming Heng told them a shocking fact.

Tuobahong plucked his ears, and even suspected that he had heard it wrong: "Isn't the Queen Mother a folk woman with a clean background, how did she become the princess of the southwest tribe?"

He Zexi also looked at Ming Heng. Although he had been in the officialdom for a long time, this was the first time he had heard of this statement.

"About the origin of the Empress Dowager, no one in the palace should know about it. I only discovered it by accident." Ming Heng paused at this point, looked around subconsciously, and realized that they were inside the house, outside the door. And Wumeng looked at it, it was impossible for the wall to have ears, so he felt relieved, leaned in front of the two, and began to talk in a low voice.

"You all know that I was not favored since I was a child. My concubine died too early and I had no one to rely on in the palace. Fortunately, Grandma Huang loved me very much. She often called me to her palace to chat when I was young. So, when I was young I often go to grandma huang. Grandma huang usually likes to study besides eating vegetarian food and praying to Buddha. There is an empty room in her palace, which is specially used to store the books she collected. Local chronicles recorded in foreign languages. Usually she does not allow others to enter that room, but she saw that I like reading, and I was not very old at that time, only five or six years old, so she specially allowed me to go in and read it. That day, the emperor Grandma went back to the house to take a nap, and I stayed in the house alone to read a book. I saw a local chronicle of Southwest China in the corner, and picked it up to read it. But the book fell out, and a letter fell out of it. The envelope Nothing was written on it, but the envelope was yellow and looked old."

"Letter?" Tuobahong couldn't help interjecting and asked, "What letter? Have you opened it yet?"

Ming Heng nodded: "I guessed that the letter might belong to Grandma Huang. I was hesitant to open it at first. Until I saw a pattern on the back of the envelope." Ming Heng dipped his fingers in water on the table as he spoke. The pattern was drawn.

Both brothers leaned over to watch.I saw that the pattern was a bit weird, it looked like a spider in shape, but this spider looked different from ordinary spiders.

Tuobahong looked at it for a long time but didn't see Mingtang, so he turned his head and asked his brother: "Do you know him?"

He Zexi looked at the pattern on the table and nodded, and said in a low voice, "This is the family emblem of the Southwest Bugui clan."

"The divining ghost clan? I've never heard of it." Tuobahong frowned.

He Zexi explained: "The Bugui clan is a very small tribe with no more than a thousand members, and it disappeared a long time ago. I also read a bit in a miscellaneous journal. I heard that the clan was exterminated, but some people said that they In order to avoid the enemy, he forged a genocide, but in fact he pretended to be an ordinary person incognito."

Tuobahong asked curiously: "Does the ghost divination clan have any amazing abilities? They actually need to remain anonymous."

"The ability is not shocking, but it is superior." He Zexi said, "The people of the divination ghost clan are born to understand poison and distinguish poison, and they are invulnerable to all poisons. From the old man to the yellow-mouthed child, everyone People are all masters of using poison, and they are extremely good at making poison and nourishing Gu. In the past, they relied on their own poisonous insects and Gu insects to kill tens of thousands of intruders with one enemy. It is precisely because of the poisonous insects in their hands The Bugui tribe is unrivaled, so other tribes do everything possible to drive them out."

Ming Heng also nodded at the side. About the Bu Gui Clan, he knew about the same as Ze Xi.

After He Zexi explained to his younger brother about the Bu Gui clan, he looked back at Ming Heng and asked him, "What was written in that letter?"

Ming Heng then continued: "Well, that letter was written in the language of the divining ghost clan. I couldn't understand it at all, but out of curiosity, I secretly copied the content. However, I still didn't As a kid, I stuffed the paper into the box after copying it, and forgot about it the next day. It went on like this for more than ten years, until three years ago, Guan Ze went to the Southwest and found a copy for me there. Ancient book. That book records the large and small tribes in the history of Southwest China, and there happened to be the Bugui tribe in it. The article on the Bugui tribe was written in Chinese characters and the Bugui tribe. I felt that the Bugui tribe The writing is very familiar, as if I saw it somewhere, and then I remembered that it was in the letter of Grandma Huang. So I found the transcribed paper and compared it word by word, but I didn’t expect it to be I translated it."

Tuobahong and He Zexi asked in unison: "What was written in the letter?"

"Actually, it's nothing, it's just a letter from home. The letter should be written to her by Grandma Huang's father. The whole letter is concerned about her living well in the palace, and told her to keep a low profile and be cautious, and never get involved in harem battles or anything. But In the end, I repeatedly asked Grandma Huang not to reveal her own background, and told her that there is no ghost-buying clan in the world, and you are no longer a princess of the ghost-bubbling clan, but an ordinary woman, and she is not allowed to use her own power anymore. Ability." Ming Heng paused, "At the time I was still wondering what it was, but now that I think about it, I should have warned her not to make poison and raise Gu in the palace."

Tuobahong stroked his chin and said, "It turns out that the empress dowager's low-key temperament is hereditary. This divination ghost clan is different from what I imagined."

He Zexi told him: "Although the Bugui tribe is powerful in making poison, they are not vicious and cruel. In fact, the Bugui tribe is gentle in nature, even a little weak. "

Tuobahong clicked his tongue, and said in disgust: "It's a good skill for nothing."

Mingheng smiled helplessly, and gently squeezed his hand.

Tuoba Hong's attention immediately followed Ming Heng, smiled at him, and asked in a good mood: "Have you told anyone else about the Queen Mother's background?"

Ming Heng shook his head: "No, I was also surprised to learn that Grandma Huang was a princess of a certain tribe, but after thinking about it, it's just a family background, so what's the point even if you expose it. So I burned that piece of paper that night I also buried this matter in my heart and never mentioned it to anyone.”

In Ming Heng's impression, Grandma Huang is a very gentle and loving elder, even if her family background is not good, she will treat everyone equally, she is one of the few Ming family members that he likes.

But now, that image of gentleness and kindness who is not willing to trample an ant to death is crumbling in Ming Heng's heart bit by bit.

He Zexi told him that the poison that almost killed his most beloved emperor uncle was made by the long-lost Southwest Bugui tribe, but the queen mother is the princess of the Bugui tribe.This made him unable to doubt.

Before today, he still respected the Queen Mother very much, but now...

Tuoba Hong has always been very sensitive to Ming Heng's emotional changes, and when he saw that his expression was down, he patted the back of his hand and took what he didn't say later.

"At present, it seems that the Queen Mother is inseparable from the poisoning of many princes. It's just... will she be the mastermind this time? She did this last time in all likelihood to make her children After ascending to the throne of God, his child has become the emperor as he wished, and she is already the queen mother. This country already belongs to both their mother and son. Send it out?"

He Zexi seemed to have thought of something, his expression became more solemn, and at the same time he hesitated to speak.

Mingheng also quickly adjusted his mood, his expression was a bit more serious than He Zexi's, and after a long silence, he suddenly said in a low voice: "Grandma Huang is a member of the divination ghost clan, and she is born with the ability to distinguish and control poison. Then you Say, father...does he have this ability?"

As soon as these words came out, there was a moment of silence in the room.Both Tuobahong and He Zexi looked at him in the blink of an eye.

Ming Heng raised the corner of his mouth, smiled wryly and said: "Didn't you also think of it?"

Tuobahong and He Zexi had indeed thought of it, but as a "daughter-in-law" and a courtier, it was difficult for them to say such outrageous things.

Now that he has opened his mouth, the next words will not be so difficult.Ming Heng took a sip of tea and continued: "It's just that I can't believe it. A tiger's poison doesn't eat its offspring, and besides, the crown prince and the second prince are the two children my father loves the most."

As for whether the poison was created by Emperor Qianyuan, none of them dared to jump to conclusions.However, this conversation has already let them know a lot of important and shocking information.

The three of them finished talking and were about to leave when the little fan came and said that His Majesty wanted to see Ming Heng.Mingheng didn't dare to delay, bid farewell to Tuobahong and He Zexi, and hurriedly left Huahuai Tower with a small fan.

After Mingheng left, Tuobahong and He Zexi sat for a while longer before leaving.

When Tuobahong came, he was accompanied by Mingheng, and he was the only one left when he went back. He Zexi was not at ease to let him act alone, so he simply accompanied him back to Jinghe Garden, planning to stay in Jinghe Garden for one night before returning to Guo Gong government.

Ming Heng quietly returned to the palace as fast as he could. Just as he stepped into the Chonghua Palace, the eunuch sent by Eunuch Yuanxi came to the door for the second time.

Mingheng changed his clothes and was about to take Mo Jia to see Emperor Qianyuan, but the little eunuch stretched out his arm to block Mo Jia, and said to Mingheng with a troubled face: "Your Highness, Your Majesty has ordered that you are the only one go."

Ming Heng was taken aback for a moment, and exchanged a glance with Mo Jia.Although he thought this order was a bit strange, he didn't ask any further questions, and ordered Mo Jia to stay in the Chonghua Palace and left with the little eunuch.It's just that before leaving, he secretly passed a glance to Mo Jia, and Mo Jia nodded calmly, apparently understanding what he meant.

Not long after Ming Heng and the little eunuch left, Mo Jia also quietly left the Chonghua Palace, but he did not follow Ming Heng, but walked towards the gate of the palace.

Emperor Qianyuan's dragon body was sick, and he stayed in the bedroom these days, and Ming Heng was also taken directly to the bedroom.As soon as he approached the sleeping hall, he heard a few coughs, which was the voice of Emperor Qianyuan.Yuan Xi bowed to Ming Heng and opened the door to let Ming Heng in.

Ming Heng walked into the bedroom alone.Emperor Qianyuan's voice sounded immediately.

"Is Ming Heng here?"

Ming Heng walked quickly to the dragon bed, knelt down on both knees and greeted him first: "I see my father."

"Get up." Emperor Qianyuan coughed twice in a weak voice.

"Thank you, father." Mingheng stood up and took a few steps closer.It was seen that Emperor Qianyuan's face was very haggard, much thinner than before he left.

And when he was observing Emperor Qianyuan, Emperor Qianyuan was also looking at him.

Emperor Qianyuan looked him up and down, nodded and commented: "You look good, it seems that you have not been wronged."

Ming Heng smiled slightly, and said cooperatively: "My son is doing well in Ye Ruo."

Emperor Qianyuan nodded: "That's good. By the way, why didn't Tuobahong come?"

"Tuobahong caught wind and cold a few days ago, and was tired from traveling, so he stayed in Yerou to recuperate."

Emperor Qianyuan leaned on a large pillow and asked calmly, "How does Tuobahong treat you?"

"Very good." Mingheng smiled again, this time the smile was much more sincere, "Tuobahong treated me very well."

"Really?" Mingheng lowered his head and recalled the past with Tuobahong, so he didn't notice the cool smile on Emperor Qianyuan's face.

Mingheng still remembers the special situation today, so he didn't talk much about Tuobahong, restrained his expression, and said in a low voice: "The prince's brother and the second emperor's brother died young, it's sad, but I still hope that the father will take care of the dragon." body."

Emperor Qianyuan nodded slightly, without looking at him.

Ming Heng has been observing his father's reaction, and found that when he mentioned the two elder brothers, the pain in his eyes did not seem to be fake, but apart from grief, he seemed to see a touch of anger.

Mingheng was also not sure if he had misread it.After a moment of silence, he tentatively asked again: "Father, what kind of poison did the two imperial brothers suffer from? And who did it?"

Emperor Qianyuan asked instead: "What do you think?"

Ming Heng was startled, and hastily lowered his head: "I have been away from Beijing for a long time, and I dare not make wild guesses."

Emperor Qianyuan gave a chuckle with unknown meaning, but didn't care, and changed the topic back to Ming Heng.

"Counting it all together, you've been in Yerou for almost half a year, what's your impression of Yerou?"

Mingheng always felt that his father's attitude was a little strange today, so he answered more cautiously: "Ye Ruan's living habits are very different from Anling's, and I didn't get used to it at first, but after getting along, it's easy to get along. Gradually I got used to it, and after a deep understanding, I found that Erchen still had a big misunderstanding of Ye Ruo before, and seeing is believing in everything."

"What about Tuobahong?" Emperor Qianyuan asked again, "How much do you misunderstand him? No one in this world has seen Tuobahong's true face, so what about you? As his pillow, you can Have you seen his real face?"

Mingheng's heart trembled, and for a moment he felt that Emperor Qianyuan knew something.He looked up at Emperor Qianyuan, only to find that he was also staring at him, his eyes were as deep as water, and he was inexplicably depressed.

Ming Heng hurriedly lowered his head, forcing himself to calm down.Although he didn't know what the purpose of Emperor Qianyuan asking this question was, he chose to defend Tuobahong, so he lied: "Tuobahong is a cautious person, and he can't let go of his guard even for the person next to him."

In Jinghe Garden, Tuoba Hong, who was walking in the yard with his brother's support, sneezed loudly.

The author says:

Tuobahong: Some people speak ill of me!