Tanhualang

Zhao Heng caressed Shen Jing's face, and said softly: "You say that, what else can I say?"

He let go of Shen Jing, pulled Shen Jing to sit down, sat down opposite him himself, and said with a sigh: "Brother Huang has loved me very much since I was a child. He is more than ten years older than me and has taken care of me since I was a child. Father, if you say something that embarrasses you, please bear with me for a while.”

After a pause, he continued: "Miao'an, don't worry, I will find a way to solve this matter."

As soon as the day passed, Shen Jing was brought by Hong Zeming's side, and together with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households, they began to discuss the rules and regulations for exchanging salt for grain.

At the beginning of participating in the affairs of the court, Shen Jing gradually became aware of the turbulent undercurrent in the court.

The exchange of salt for food is beneficial to the Ministry of War, but it damages the rights and interests of the Ministry of Households.As Zhao Heng said last time, the flesh was cut from the Hubu and pasted on the Bingbu.

The Ministry of War is Zhao Heng's territory, while the Ministry of Households is the camp of Duke Mingde.When this policy was implemented the year before, Shen Jing remembered that Zhao Heng said that he had acquiesced in the position of Minister Ming Degong in exchange for the support of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

This time the Holy Majesty wants to make this a regular rule, how can Ming Degong obediently obey?

Sure enough, once the regulations and documents were drafted and brought to the Ministry of Household Affairs for comments, nothing began to sink into the sea.

And the drafter of the regulations is Shen Jing.

Shen Jing waited for a few days to no avail, so he had to go to Hong Zeming.

Hong Zeming was in charge of mediating this matter.Although his official position is not high, he represents the will of the Holy One because he is by his side.Shen Jing told him about this, but Hong Zeming told him: "Wait for another two days and see."

Shen Jing said: "Master Hong, it's almost July. If we wait any longer, the grain should go north by the end of August at the latest."

Hong Zeming said: "I know. Wait for two days."

Shen Jing: "..."

Seeing his expression, Hong Zeming explained to Shen Jing: "In three or four days, the deadline for the Ministry of Accounts' reply will arrive. Once this deadline is exceeded, the Metropolitan Procuratorate will impeach the Ministry of Accounts. You handed the documents to the Ministry of Accounts that day. , I have already notified Du Yushi. Therefore, within four days at the latest, the household department must make a reply. Just wait."

After a pause, he said to Shen Jing as if teaching: "You have only a short time in the imperial court. After you have experienced a lot, you will gradually understand. If things are to be successful, they have to be honed a little bit like this."

Shen Jing returned to the Hanlin Academy, while copying the documents with Lu Meng, while thinking secretly in his heart, he gradually realized the deep meaning.

He thought that Hong Zeming was someone close to the emperor and would be able to respond to everything; but now he is so helpless because of the delaying attitude of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

On the surface, it seemed that Hong Zeming could hold his breath.In essence, it was because Hong Zeming knew that even if he went to the household department to urge him, it would be of no use, and if the matter failed, it would only cause the Holy One to lose face in vain.

This day he was busy with his official business and got off duty to go home.

It was dog days, and the weather was very hot.Although the sun has set, the sky and the earth are still like a big steamer.When Shen Jing walked home, her clothes were soaked through.

He took a shower.Walking out of the room while tying up his clothes, he saw Xiaoyou rushing over with a anxious look: "Clean up quickly, comb your hair, change into neat clothes and follow me."

Shen Jing hurriedly asked what was the matter, but Xiao You waved his hand: "It's urgent. You move quickly. I'll tell you on the way."

Shen Jing hurriedly tidied up and followed Xiao You into the carriage.

Xiao Youcai on the carriage said: "Isn't it almost His Highness's birthday? Today His Majesty gave His Majesty another gift as usual. His Highness went to His Majesty's place to thank His Majesty as usual. Perhaps His Highness had some idea and invited His Majesty to come to the Palace for a light meal." .”

After a pause, he continued: "The Holy Majesty arrived at the palace at dusk, and he brought the Eldest Prince with him. Originally, there were only the Holy Majesty, His Highness, and the Eldest Prince, but just after entering the table, the Holy Majesty suddenly called your name and asked why His Highness didn't call you?" you together."

Shen Jing was stunned: "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Xiao You sighed and shook his head: "Who knows? Your Highness tentatively said that this is a family banquet, but the Holy Majesty smiled and said that it is a family banquet that is more casual. Then he ordered me to invite you. I am afraid that I am still waiting I'm following you."

He looked at Shen Jing, and although he was comforting, he couldn't hide the tension in his heart: "You don't have to pay too much attention. There is also the First Prince, and the Holy One will definitely not make things difficult for you."

Shen Jing nodded, but her heart was still unavoidably tense, and she smiled wryly for a long time and said, "I really feel like an ugly daughter-in-law, going to see my in-laws."

Xiao You sighed, and muttered: "Ugly is not necessarily ugly, it's just... alas. I don't know which song the Holy One is singing about."

The carriage arrived at Prince Yu's Mansion, and Shen Jing followed Xiao You all the way to the main hall.

The table was still set in the hall, the candlesticks in the hall were shining brightly, the lights were bright, the food and wine on the table were ready, but no one was seated.

Zhao Heng was sitting on the chair next to him, and the eldest prince Zhao Ming was sitting opposite him, playing chess.Emperor Zhao Du stood aside, watching chess.

Xiao You was outside the hall, winking at Shen Jing, Shen Jing entered cautiously, stood at the position inside the door, and respectfully knelt down to salute: "My minister, Shen Jing, has seen His Majesty, Your Highness King Yu, and Your Highness the First Prince."

It was Zhao Heng who looked up first. He glanced at Shen Jing, but didn't speak.Immediately, Zhao Du turned his head and said with a slight smile, "Shen Qing, let him be at peace."

After a pause, he smiled again: "Come and have a look together."

Standing up quietly, he said respectfully, "Observe the order."

After speaking, he walked to a position one step behind Zhao Du, and also looked at the chess game on the table.

The eldest prince, Zhao Ming, was six years old and only five years old when he was one year old. He was wearing a light-colored little Yisa gown, sitting upright, and was frowning at the chess game with his little brows meditating.

He is obviously a child, but he looks like a little adult, but the chubby hand holding the chess pieces reveals a little childishness.

Shen Jing took a few glances at the chess game and knew that Zhao Heng was playing with Zhao Ming.At this moment, Zhao Heng threw another pawn, Zhao Ming looked at it for a long time, then involuntarily raised his head to look at his father Zhao Du, his eyes showed the meaning of asking for help.

Seeing this, Zhao Du shook his head and smiled, "You see, I'm useless. In this game of chess, I haven't been your emperor's uncle's opponent for a few years."

After a pause, he took a step to the side and gave up the seat next to him: "The emperor might as well ask this Mr. Shen for advice. He beat your uncle the emperor."

Zhao Ming looked at Shen Jing again.

Shen Jing was about to decline, but Zhao Heng also looked at him with a smile: "You can give the eldest prince some advice."

Hearing this, Shen Jing had no choice but to take a step forward, pointing at the chess board and whispering to Zhao Ming: "Your Highness, look here. The prince has blocked His Highness's side, and His Highness will not be able to play here anymore. We have to find another way, let go and open up life." Heavens. Your Highness's strength is here, so why not make a son here."

After Zhao Ming listened, he stared at the chessboard. The chubby left hand was still touching his chin, and he nodded solemnly for a long time: "Master Shen is very polite."

After speaking, he clicked on the position pointed by Shen Jing.

He has small hands and short hands, so he has to hold on to an armrest and push forward to get the chessboard.

Under Shen Jing's guidance, Zhao Ming finished the game of chess with Zhao Heng.

And Zhao Du stood by and watched the chess from the beginning to the end, smiling and not saying a word.

At the end of a game of chess, Zhao Heng counted the chess pieces to calculate the winner and loser. After the calculation, he smiled and said to Zhao Ming: "Ming'er lost again."

However, Zhao Ming's eyes revealed unconcealable joy: "This is the least time I have lost to the emperor."

After speaking, leaning on the armrest, he jumped off the chair, raised his head and bowed his hands respectfully, and thanked in a childlike voice: "Thank you, Mr. Shen."

Shen Jing endured the urge to pat his head and pinch his chubby face, and replied respectfully: "Your Highness, you are welcome."

"Okay," Zhao Du said with a smile at this moment, "Everyone is here. Let's take a seat."

Most of the dishes on the table are light; even in the heat of summer, they are all hot dishes, and there are no seasonal cold dishes.

As soon as Shen Jing came to the table and saw the table, she knew it was specially prepared for Zhao Du.There was a dish of braised pork on the table. Zhao Du probably thought it tasted good, so he ate two more bites. Before he put down his chopsticks, Zhao Ming whispered beside him: "Father, eat less greasy things. It will make you uncomfortable. "

Zhao Du put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "Okay. Then you can eat more for Father."

He didn't show it on the quiet face, but he was a little surprised in his heart.

He had heard before that Zhao Du's health was not particularly good, but he didn't expect to be so careful about his daily diet.

Just thinking about it, Zhao Du greeted him with a smile: "These dishes are good, it can be seen that Ah Heng prepared them carefully. Shen Qing, don't be cautious, eat more."

Quietly thank you.

Zhao Du laughed again: "Today is a casual meal, so don't be too formal."

After finishing the meal in a harmonious atmosphere, everyone got up and left the table, Shen Jing still didn't know what Zhao Du meant.

Until Zhao Ming proposed to Zhao Heng: "I want to see the emperor's uncle's horse..."

Zhao Heng was about to get up, but was stopped by Zhao Du: "You can talk to Gu here."

He raised his hand and called Zheng Man over: "You take the First Prince with you. Be careful not to scare the horse."

Zheng Man took the order and led Zhao Ming away.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became quiet.

Zhao Du sat on the upper seat with his eyes downcast, his expression was a little tired, and he was shaving the tea foam intermittently.

Sit calmly with a straight posture, watch your eyes, nose, nose, and heart.

After a while, Zhao Heng broke the silence first, and said, "Brother Huang..."

Zhao Du slightly raised his hand and interrupted him: "It's almost your birthday. After this birthday, you will be 26."

Zhao Heng responded: "...Yes."

Zhao Du smiled: "The days go by so fast, no wonder the ancients said, 'It's like a white horse passing through the gap'. Gu still remembers how you and Ming'er were when you were so old, such a small person, following my ass every day, Like a little tail."

Then he sighed softly: "In the blink of an eye, more than 20 years have passed."

Zhao Heng listened, and said in a low voice for a long time: "...I can still vividly remember those scenes in the past. When I was young, my mother was in poor health, and it was the emperor who taught me how to read and write. It is true that the emperor treated me... An older brother is like a father."

Zhao Du waved his hand, smiled and shook his head: "You don't have to tell me these nice things."

He glanced at Shen Jing, then turned to Zhao Heng, with a smile still on his face: "Ah Heng, I can be considered to have taught you up by hand. No one knows what is in your heart better than me. Presumably Even Shen Qing may not be as clear as I am."

"Brother—"

Zhao Du raised his hand to stop him from speaking, the smile on his face was suppressed, and he showed that tired look again: "Today, I happen to be in front of Shen Jing, so I will speak clearly."

He looked at Zhao Heng seriously, and slowly said word by word: "One thing, the word love comes from the heart. I am not a narrow-minded person, and it's not that I don't understand these things. Two things, there must be someone around you." He is a very capable person. Shen Jing is loyal, talented, thoughtful, and has an unlimited future. As long as you two have a good sense of the matter, I will not ask a word, nor will I look at Shen Jing differently because of this. "

"However, the principles of general principles must be obeyed, and the principles of filial piety and brotherhood must be obeyed." Zhao Du looked at Zhao Heng, his voice was low and slow, but with the strength that a king cannot violate, "Princess Yu, you must marry."