It's easy to be a villain, but hard to be a princess

Chu Muqing said: "The emperor's idea of ​​reducing the vassals to deal with foreign enemies is not wrong, but the emperor has never thought that the vassal kings are not ordinary people. If the vassal lords are cut down, they will be dissatisfied with the court and raise their troops." If we rebel, then we will face enemies both at home and abroad, and the gains outweigh the losses."

Fan Youcheng disdainfully said, "My lord, the lower officials proposed that the emperor cut down the vassals, not to ask the emperor to remove several vassals at once, but to proceed step by step, step by step."

Chu Muqing glanced at Fan Youcheng out of the corner of her eye, "Then Uncle Guo might as well tell you how to proceed step by step?"

Fan Youcheng bowed his hands to the emperor on the dragon throne, "Your Majesty, I think that we can start with King Ling."

Chu Ruihong and Fan Youcheng sang together, "Aiqing can explain in more detail."

Fan Youcheng glanced at Chu Muqing, "The Prince Regent and King Ling are brothers, and the friendship is naturally stronger than that of other vassal kings. If the Prince Regent came forward to persuade King Ling, King Ling would be willing to hand over his military power willingly because of brotherhood."

Chu Muqing frowned, Chu Ruihong looked at Chu Muqing's face, he was in a good mood, "This plan is very good, what does the Regent think?"

"I believe that the matter of cutting down the vassal should not be rushed, and it will not be too late to think about it when the war in the northwest is settled and the country is peaceful and the people are safe."

Fan Youcheng said: "Isn't the Prince Regent thinking of brotherhood, that's why he doesn't have the heart to cut down the feudal clan?"

Chu Muqing raised the corners of her lips, "Uncle Guo misunderstood. This king is dedicated to the court and has always been loyal to the country. How could he ignore the country and the country because of brotherhood?"

Fan Youcheng narrowed his eyes, "Since that's the case, why did the regent prevent the emperor from cutting down the domain?"

"My king said that the imperial court is being invaded by foreign enemies at this time. If there is another civil strife, it will definitely be unable to withstand it. My uncle proposed to proceed step by step, but have you ever heard the allusion that the wind is so loud that the trees are all soldiers?" Chu Muqing paused, and the corners of her lips curled up. With a smile, "Even if the vassal kings are not withdrawn at the same time, other vassal kings will definitely be vigilant when they hear the rumors of cutting the vassals, and they will preemptively strike if they are not in order."

At this moment, Lu Chengqing, one of the military officers, came out and said: "Your Majesty, what the prince said is very true. Now that the war in the northwest is not settled, civil strife must not be caused."

In addition, the minister of the Ministry of War also came out and said: "The minister also agrees with the regent's statement. Although cutting the vassal may not lead to the rebellion of the vassal king, but at this time the external turmoil is not over, we should not take such a big risk."

Successively several officials stood up to agree with the regent, Chu Ruihong and Fan Youcheng looked at each other, they had no choice but to give up, and the matter of cutting the feudal clan was postponed.

After coming down to court, Chu Ruihong sent someone to tell Fan Youcheng and Han Zixiao to come to the imperial study.

Fan Youcheng said: "Your Majesty, from the point of view of my ministers, the regent objected to cutting the vassal. On the surface, it sounded high-sounding, but inwardly, he just wanted to protect King Ling and preserve his strength."

Chu Ruihong breathed out, "Of course I also know that he wants to shield King Ling, but what he said is indeed reasonable, and all the civil and military officials agree, so I have nothing to do. Let's postpone the matter of cutting down the vassal."

"Your Majesty, it is true that cutting down the feudal clan will annoy the feudal king, but if the King of Mausoleum and the Prince Regent join forces, it will be extremely detrimental to the imperial court!"

Chu Ruihong was worried on both sides, frowned, and looked at Han Zixiao, "Zixiao, what do you think?"

Han Zixiao cupped his hands, "Back to the emperor, I think that the matter of cutting down the vassal should be discussed in a long-term way, and the most urgent thing is to fight against foreign enemies."

Chu Ruihong nodded, "It is true that foreign enemies should be the most important thing now, but the Regent, I have to guard against it. What else have you heard these days?"

Han Zixiao hesitated for a moment, let alone snooping these days, it is difficult to even get close to the regent, "I have neglected my duty, and I have gotten nothing these days, please punish me by the emperor."

Chu Muqing sighed, "It's not your fault, you should continue to get close to the regent, and if you find out that the regent has a private relationship with the mausoleum, report it to me immediately."

"Yes, Wei Chen takes orders."

Chu Ruihong looked at him, then at Fan Youcheng, and said, "I don't have anything to do here, uncle should go home first."

Fan Youcheng cupped his hands, "I will resign."

After Fan Youcheng left, Chu Ruihong and Han Zixiao came to the side hall, where there were dozens of pictures of beauties, all of which were daughters of famous families.

Han Zixiao looked at the picture of a beautiful girl hanging inside, and was a little surprised, "This..."

"Didn't I tell you the day before yesterday that I wanted you to accompany me to choose, did I forget so quickly?"

Han Zixiao chuckled, "No, it's just that the humble minister may have different preferences from the emperor, and I'm afraid I won't be able to give you any advice."

Chu Ruihong held his hand and said, "Zi Xiao has a unique vision, I can trust it."

The two started from the first picture and looked at it one by one.Seeing the last picture, Chu Ruihong asked, "Among these embroidered girls, who does Zixiao like the most?"

Han Zixiao lowered his head, "These embroidered women are all the emperor's people, and I dare not compete with the emperor for love."

"Which one do you like, just say it, I forgive you for your innocence."

Han Zixiao raised his head, wandered around the room, pointed at a woman in green clothes standing under a peach blossom tree, and said: "I feel that the daughter of Zuo Shaoqing Lin Hexu of Dali Temple is like a flower like a moon, Beautiful and dignified, rare in the world.”

"I've seen it all the way, and I think it's pretty good." Chu Ruihong said, and then hooked the corners of his lips, "It's a pity that Zuo Shaoqing of Dali Temple has always only obeyed the regent."

Han Zixiao immediately understood what Chu Ruihong meant, and pointed to the daughter of his uncle, Fan Youcheng, and said, "Master Fan's daughter, Fan Yuying, is also a beauty of the generation."

Chu Ruihong looked at it, "She is really liked by the queen mother."

Han Zixiao kept silent, Chu Ruihong was an emperor, although there were three thousand beauties in the harem, but he had to be cautious when accepting a concubine, otherwise it would bring disaster to the court.Now is the time for Chu Ruihong to strengthen himself to buy people's hearts, and the officials around the regent are destined to be unwelcome.Even if a few people were included in the harem, it was just for show, and the grade would not be much higher.

Chu Ruihong looked at Han Zixiao, "Since Zixiao likes Lin Hexu's daughter, how about I act as a matchmaker and betroth her to you?"

"This... Your Majesty, absolutely not."

"Why not?" Chu Ruihong said: "Nowadays I don't have many available people around me, you are always thinking of me, so what if I give you a little reward?"

"I am really ashamed that my humble minister failed to relieve the emperor's worries."

"Why do you and I say such polite words?" Chu Ruihong held his hand and said, "You said you liked her just now, and I was just doing it as a favor. Why, let me say that you lied to me just now when you said you liked her .”

"Wei Chen dare not."

"Since this is the case, if you like it, I will make it happen, not everyone is happy."

Han Zixiao thought for a moment, starting a family is something that will happen sooner or later, he has passed the crown, he really should have a family, anyway, the family is also busy, and he is also worried.Lin Hexu's daughter is the most outstanding in appearance among those embroidered girls, at least she won't lose much by marrying her.Maybe, in a year or two, I can still be a father.

"I'm just afraid that Zuo Shaoqing won't want to promise his daughter to this humble minister."

"You don't have to worry about this, I'm in charge of everything." Seeing that Han Zixiao had no objection, Chu Ruihong said, "Then it's settled. After the draft, I will issue a decree to grant the marriage."

Han Zixiao cupped his hands to thank En, "Thank you, Majesty Long En."

Han Zixiao returned to the mansion, thinking that Chu Ruihong had treated him so favorably, he should also express something.What I can do for him now is to get close to the regent and find out the news.But it has been ten days since he returned to the capital, and the regent still treats him lukewarm, as if he doesn't even want to look straight at him.

If this continues, how can we find out the news.

Han Zixiao thought about it, but still had to start from the source.Since Chu Muqing got his indifference because he annoyed him, it's better to come to the door to apologize, and to be frank and clear.

Han Zixiao remembered the jade pendant given to him by the shopkeeper of the pawnshop in Changzhou. That jade pendant belonged to Chu Muqing, and he never found a chance to return it to him. Why don't he take this opportunity to go to the palace to resolve the conflict between them.

Han Zixiao changed into casual clothes, and took a sedan chair to the Prince Regent's Mansion.Seeing that it was Han Zixiao, Uncle Song invited him into the mansion, ordered someone to make tea and serve him, and then went to report to the regent.

As soon as Han Zixiao took a sip of tea, Chu Muqing came out, still dressed in purple.

Han Zixiao got up from the chair and saluted, "I have seen the prince."

Chu Muqing sat at the top, glanced lightly at Han Zixiao, and picked up the teacup on the high table, "If you don't have anything to go to the Three Treasures Hall, why is Mr. Han here?"

Han Zixiao raised his head, "It's just a trivial matter, I hope it won't disturb the prince's business."

Chu Muqing lifted the tea cover and flicked the tea leaves on the tea soup, "Speak."

Han Zixiao took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands, "When I was passing through Changzhou, I got a jade pendant, and then I remembered that the prince also has one like this, I don't know if the prince accidentally dropped it?"

Chu Muqing caught a glimpse of the jade pendant in his hand and narrowed her eyes, "How did you get this jade pendant?"

"A gift from an old friend in Changzhou."

Chu Muqing looked indifferent, and said: "This jade pendant belongs to me, and now it doesn't belong to me, so you don't have to return it."

Han Zixiao said: "This jade pendant is of high quality, exquisite workmanship, and incomparably luxurious. In this world, only a prince can be worthy of it. Therefore, I want to be a favor and give this jade pendant to the prince. I hope the prince will accept it with a smile." .”

Chu Muqing looked at him meaningfully, put down the teacup, and said, "Master Han is so caring, so I will keep the jade pendant."

Uncle Song beside him stepped forward to take the jade pendant, Han Zixiao handed it to him with both hands, but did not intend to say goodbye.

Chu Muqing glanced at him, "Is there something else Mr. Han wants?"

Han Zixiao arched his hands together, "I'm here today, in addition to returning the jade pendant, I also want to make amends to the prince."

"Apologize?" Chu Muqing said lightly, "What is your crime?"

Han Zixiao raised his head and looked at Chu Muqing's face, "Since the lord settled the accounts with the lower officials that day, the lord has treated the lower officials with cold eyes. The lower officials are dull. I don't know what offended the lord and made the lord angry."

"The king is not angry."