fleeting photos

The imperial guards are palace guards, a sacred army responsible for defending the entire imperial city and even the entire capital, and the only army that can garrison troops in the capital.

Before his death, the first emperor personally handed over the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guards to Jiang Zhao, making it the first real power that Jiang Zhao obtained after he ascended the throne. She later issued many private orders, all of which were completed by the Imperial Guards .

In other words, the Forbidden Army is the emperor's confidant, and has always only obeyed the emperor's orders, and ignored everything else.

Jiang Zhao ordered Zhuo Yun, the commander of the imperial army, to arrange for someone to secretly visit Xie Jin's traces in the capital. In addition, he also asked him to send several top experts to keep an eye on the commander's mansion, and report back immediately if he found anything wrong.

Although Zhuo Yun didn't quite understand it, he still took the order to do it.

After more than ten days of anxious waiting, Jiang Zhao finally got the news.

"Marshal left the mansion alone in the middle of the night, his appearance was suspicious, but considering his high martial arts skills and listening to all directions, the people sent by the minister did not dare to get too close, they only followed around Xiangle Fang and turned back."

People are divided into three, six, and nine classes. Although they live in the same capital, they live in different places.

Rich and prosperous places such as Yongningfang and Wanshunfang usually live in high-ranking officials and dignitaries, while ordinary scholars and gentry mostly live in ordinary places such as Ruyifang and Fulufang. They can only live in remote places such as Xianglefang and Baixingfang, which are considered orderly.

Shuai's mansion is located in Yongningfang, quite a distance from Xianglefang. Lu Cangyu left the mansion late at night and went to Xianglefang. Jiang Zhao can almost conclude that he must have hidden Xie Jin there.

Although I haven't seen anyone yet, it is much easier to find people in a square street than in the whole capital. Jiang Zhao's aching head, which was tortured by day and night worries, finally eased up a little, and he ordered Zhuo Yun: "Let someone go to Xiangle For interrogation, remember to keep a low profile, if you encounter a guard, don’t act rashly, come back and tell me the exact location.”

Xianglefang is a place where civilians live, not to mention guards, even the patrolling guards in Kyoto rarely take the initiative to check, so once they encounter suspicious persons, it is most likely that they are arranged by Lu Cangyu.

Zhuo Yun took the order, and Jiang Zhao asked him to step down.

She called Yuan Xiang again and asked, "How about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Yuan Xiang said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, it can be basically concluded that the news came from the palace and was brought to the Grand Marshal by Prime Minister Zhao.

However, Concubine Zhao has not sent any news to the outside world in recent days, and the servants have not found any useful information. "

Jiang Zhao's face was slightly cold, and he said lightly: "The Zhao family's power will not fall for a day, and it is always a hidden danger for Concubine Zhao to stay in the palace. I don't want to imprison her blatantly. I still have to find a way to get her out of the palace."

She tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, thought for a while, and ordered: "Go and call the fourth princess to see me."

Jiang Yin took the initiative to visit a few times, and they all went directly to Xihe Palace. It was the first time for Jiang Zhao to summon her in the imperial study, and seeing the eunuch who passed the decree kept urging her, her heart was pounding, and she was always in fear.

When Jiang Zhao explained the reason for summoning her, Jiang Yin was even more at a loss.

"You only need to do what I say, and I will bear all the consequences." Jiang Zhao followed the temptation and promised: "If this happens, it will be regarded as a favor I owe you."

She knew that Jiang Yin was timid, and asking her to plot against Concubine Zhao would probably be difficult to overcome, so she didn't intend to force her to do it.If she can communicate, it's good, if not, then find another way.

Jiang Yin bit her lip and hesitated for a while, but finally nodded in agreement.

Jiang Yin is not a fool, she knows what kind of correct choice she should make. From the perspective of relationship, Jiang Zhao is her sister, and from the perspective of power, Jiang Zhao is the master of this imperial city and the world.

As for Concubine Zhao, up to now she only occupies the status of the late emperor's widow.

So before Xie Jin's whereabouts were confirmed, and when the imperial army was fighting wits and courage with the guards of the commander's mansion, a big event happened in the palace first.

The fourth princess Jiang Yin and the fifth princess Jiang Xi had a quarrel, Jiang Xi ran to find Concubine Zhao to uphold justice, Concubine Zhao asked Jiang Yin to ask Jiang Yin for questioning, but Jiang Yin refused, so she went to teach others in person, during the dispute, Jiang Yin stumbled Fall into Yuhe.

There were not many descendants left by the late emperor, and the only two princesses who are still raised in the palace are those two. Although Jiang Yin does not have a strong sense of existence, she is actually the blood of the late emperor, and she is also the younger sister of the current emperor.

In addition, in the past few years, the harem has been empty, and basically no major incidents have occurred. Once Jiang Yin fell into the water, it caused an uproar, and even the emperor was furious.

Jiang Zhao was indeed frightened, she only told Jiang Yin to let her find a way to anger Jiang Xi, let Jiang Xi go to Zhao Taifei to make a fuss, lure Zhao Taifei into the game, and then let Jiang Zhao come out to make use of the problem.

Unexpectedly, this girl would dare to jump into the Yu River.

But also because of this, Jiang Yin was in a coma for several days, the seriousness of the situation was unexpected, Jiang Zhao directly dubbed Concubine Zhao a big hat for killing the heirs of the late emperor, and also accused her of favoring Jiang Xi but ignoring Jiang Yin. The incident was brought out to settle old scores, as if he felt sorry for his sister and wanted to settle with her.

Concubine Zhao couldn't tell the difference, so Jiang Zhao gave her two choices, one was to go to the nunnery to take her hair to practice and make atonement to the late emperor, or the other was to deprive the title of concubine and return to the Zhao family as a commoner to take care of her.

Before she made a choice, Jiang Zhao ordered her to confine her feet in Tai'an Palace and not allow anyone to visit.

This matter caused a big commotion, and it also caused disturbances in the previous court. A group of ministers headed by Zhao Hengze spoke out one after another. Seeing how distressed he was, they wished to write the word "benevolence and filial piety" on the emperor's face.

But Jiang Zhao always goes in his left ear and out of his right ear, and has no intention of changing his mind at all.

"In the past, Mrs. Zhao relied on her status, bullied the palace people, and committed lynching without authorization. I thought about the face of the late emperor, and also the face of Zhao Xiang. I always turned a blind eye to it.

But she never thought about it, and even worse, she stretched her hand on the princess's head. Even if the late emperor was alive, would he allow her to be so lawless?

If I spared her easily, wouldn't it be unfair to the princess? How will I face the late emperor after a hundred years? "

What she said is well-founded, but the fundamental reason why the fourth princess is timid and cautious is that she has never been favored by the late emperor. If he is really alive, this matter will probably just go away. Everyone agrees on this .

But it is one thing to think so, but not to say so.

At this moment, anyone with eyes can see that His Majesty is deliberately making things difficult for the Zhao family, and Zhao Heng is even more clear about why she is attacking Concubine Zhao.

He really regretted it now, he thought that he could use Xie Jin's matter to let Lu Cangyu tie Jiang Zhao, so that she would have no time to trouble the Zhao family, but he couldn't figure out what Lu Cangyu meant.

What's the use of just hiding people?

The more anxious the emperor was, he had nowhere to vent his anger, and the more he wanted to make trouble for the Zhao family.

Not to mention that Qian Chengye's case was not less concerned, and he directly attacked Concubine Zhao. How is this different from slapping Zhao Hengze in front of all civil and military officials?Not only was he irrelevant on the surface, but he was even more impatient with the uncle and nephew in his heart.

But as a courtier, no matter how angry he is, he can't lose his dignity in front of the court. In the end, Zhao Heng could only knock out his teeth and swallow it in his stomach. When he saw the mocking expressions of some ministers when he went down to court, he almost vomited blood.

After returning home, he smashed a lot of things and scared no one to approach the study. Later, his eldest son, Zhao Hengze's father, Zhao Zhixin, went to the study to comfort his father when he returned home.

Although Zhao Zhixin has not entered an official position, he has the power to manage the business of the entire Zhao family. Coupled with his status as the eldest son, he has always been the most trusted by Zhao Hengze. There are almost no secrets between father and son, including the affairs of the court. Zhao Heng would not hide it from him either.

"After all, I underestimated His Majesty, and let her drive me to a dead end step by step!"

"Father calm down, the body is the most important thing, this matter still needs to be discussed."

Zhao Zhixin went up to caress the back of his gray-haired father, and poured him a cup of warm tea, with calculations in his eyes, he asked tentatively: "Didn't father send someone to investigate the commander-in-chief's mansion? Got a clue?"

Zhao Heng took a sip of tea to regain his composure, shook his head and said, "Although Lu Cangyu is a rough man, he is not only good at wielding knives and guns, he is thoughtful and skilled, and it is difficult for ordinary people to get close to him.

In addition, the palace is also investigating him, and the forbidden army has been sent out, so our people dare not act rashly, and now we only know that he is locked up in Xianglefang. "

"Shuai Lu and His Majesty are relatives, uncle and nephew, and unless it is absolutely necessary, he will not do anything to the daughter of the Xie family, lest there be an irreparable estrangement with His Majesty." Zhao Zhixin smiled slightly, and said to Zhao Heng: "Father, All of His Majesty's decisions, apart from imperial power, have always been supported by Lu Shuai's military power. Now she is determined to bring down the Zhao family. If we can't let their uncles and nephews renounce and destroy one of His Majesty's reliance, then we will never do it again. Thinking about having a good time.”

Zhao Heng said with a dark face, "Why don't you understand what you said about being a father? It's just that Lu Cangyu is a bit foolish and loyal, and the emperor is his niece. He has been obedient to the emperor in recent years." , how can we make them renounced?"

Regarding Zhao Hengze's question, Zhao Zhixin didn't take it seriously, and asked instead, "Isn't it already started?"

He reached out and knocked on the table, looking confident, and lowered his voice: "Father, according to what your mother said, Xie Jin is by no means just a lucky female official to His Majesty, so as long as Lu Shuai doesn't take it for a day If someone handed it over, she would hate Lu Shuai even more, not to mention if something happened to the Xie family girl... Do you think she will let Lu Shuai go? "

Zhao Heng stared at him with a serious expression and said, "You mean, let me do something to Xie Jin?"

"Father can't say that." Zhao Heng shook his head with a smile, and said meaningfully: "The daughter of the Xie family was taken away by Lu Shuai and hid. Even if something happened to her, how can she be with us Zhao Heng?" Is it related to the family?"

He stretched out his palm and made a chopping gesture, his eyes were ruthless, but his voice remained flat as he said: "Isn't it because of her that His Majesty forced you to make concessions for Xie Yu?

If one day, Xie Yuzhe came to the position of minister again, how would the second brother deal with himself? "

After a pause, seeing Zhao Heng showing hesitation, Zhao Zhixin said again: "And my tomorrow, because of His Majesty, who can't sleep day and night, and doesn't think about food and drink. He doesn't know that he has lost to a woman, and I don't know what to do." How to persuade him."

Zhao Heng frowned when he heard the words, and said lightly: "You'd better try to persuade him, don't lead to a dead end."

"Father's words are wrong." Zhao Zhixin argued, obviously not agreeing with Zhao Hengze's statement, "Now Your Majesty hates the Zhao family, and won't blink his eyes when he makes trouble. Even if our plan is successful, without Lu Handsome, but still suppressed by the imperial power, as a courtier, apart from treason, how can he openly oppose His Majesty?"

He also poured himself a glass of water. Seeing Zhao Heng's face was pensive, he obviously listened to his own words.

Then he continued: "Father, to be honest, the entire Zhao family and all the vassals are still supported by you alone, but you are old after all, and you can work hard for a few more years. How will the Zhao family continue in the future?" Brilliant, have you thought about it?"

"Of course I have thought about it." Zhao Heng stroked his beard and sighed, "You don't want to be an official. I never forced you, but Erlang is really confused. I can take care of him in everything when I am here, but once I become an official , he must not be able to control the court, so I can only arrange everything properly before then, but I never thought that I would become a thorn in His Majesty's side again."

"Has father ever thought about solving the problem directly and fundamentally?"

"fundamentally?"

Zhao Heng's eyes froze, and he asked Zhao Zhixin, "I never thought of being a minister of treason, what do you mean?"

Zhao Zhixin said with a smile: "Father, don't worry, son knows that you have worked so hard to plan for decades, just for the honor of the Zhao family, not for that position. Similarly, son is just a little cautious, and he doesn't dare to rebel."

Seeing that Zhao Heng was silent, Zhao Zhixin approached him and said in a low voice: "Father, my son wants to say that since Ming'er likes His Majesty, instead of scolding him and making him rebellious, you might as well help him.

Right now, he doesn't care about state affairs, he only cares about the love of his children. If he can really enter the palace, let His Majesty give birth to a son and a half daughter, and then help him to be the crown prince, then this great Meng Jiangshan will naturally have half of our Zhao family. Why fear the imperial power anymore? "

"It's not that I haven't thought about what you said." Zhao Heng lowered his eyebrows and said lightly: "But later, considering that His Majesty hated the Zhao family and was afraid of taking his anger on Ming'er, he let him dismiss this idea.

And now that you also know that His Majesty likes Xie Yuzhe's daughter, and won't look at your son any more, why push him into the fire again? "

"The reconciliation of yin and yang, the love between men and women, has been human since ancient times, and there are also splits and broken sleeves, so there is no good end.

Your Majesty has lived in the deep palace for a long time, and has never seen a few good men. It is only a temporary favor to favor a woman, and you still have to think about the country for thousands of years. "

Zhao Zhixin didn't believe that women could have two hearts at all. He still had great confidence in his son, and said to Zhao Heng: "Father should make up his mind early, I'm afraid that the people who covet the middle palace are not limited to Ming'er." one."

Zhao Heng remained silent for a while, but was finally persuaded by him, and nodded silently.

Zhao Zhidao: "Since that's the case, let's start with solving Xie's daughter. Father must act before His Majesty finds someone. Otherwise, Lu Shuai will not be able to blame Lu Shuai."

The father and son looked at each other, their eyes twinkling with determination.