fleeting photos

On the way back to the palace, Jiang Zhao was in a daze.

Xie Jin looked at her frequently, thinking that he should recover after a while, but he didn't expect that the carriage was about to arrive at the palace gate, and she was still absent-minded, which made Xie Jin unable to help but worry.

Could it be that Xie Yuzhe really made fun of her and said nasty things?

Xie Jin hesitated a little, but still pulled Jiang Zhao's sleeve and asked, "I was in the study just now, did Daddy make things difficult for you?"

"Huh? No." Jiang Zhao came back to his senses and shook his head lightly, "Because he didn't mean to reprimand me, I felt a little apprehensive. Let me ask for peace of mind."

She looked up at Xie Jin, curled her lips and said, "I don't know when you handed eighteen letters to your home, and you just blindly concealed them. Are you laughing at me in your heart?"

"How dare I laugh at you?" Xie Jin posted a post next to her, deliberately questioning her: "Don't beat me up, didn't you hide it from me first? If I didn't accidentally find out, you never planned to tell me? "

Jiang Zhao quickly explained: "It's not that I didn't intend to tell you, but I just thought that everything is a foregone conclusion, so why bother with one more person?

Besides, there are no major disturbances now, and everything is within the controllable range. We live behind closed doors, and it is not much different from before.It's just that on your father's side, I really haven't thought about how to face him..."

She reached out her hand to touch the cuff, and took out the neatly folded marriage letter. It was written by Xie Yuzhe himself.

The names of Jiang Zhao and Xie Jin were written on the marriage letter. The name of the emperor had a folk taboo rule. When Jiang Zhao came to the throne, he felt that the name of the emperor was too common and would cause trouble for the common people, so he did not set a taboo word. As a minister, I still abide by the rules. When I wrote her name, I omitted a little bit.

The more Jiang Zhao looked at it, the more awkward he felt, and felt that this was indeed the only deficiency. He wanted Xie Yuzhe to make up for it on the spot, but seeing that although he didn't mean to make it difficult, he also had feelings of resistance, so he didn't dare to ask for it.

At this moment, he pressed the marriage letter into Xie Jin's arms, and told her: "When you return to the palace, remember to complete my name."

Although Xie Jin begged Xie Yuzhe to write the marriage letter, it was also handed over to Jiang Zhao directly by Xie Yuzhe, and she hadn't read it herself.

Only after reading it did I understand what Jiang Zhao meant.

In fact, Xie Jin didn't care too much about more or less. After all, the only meaning of this marriage certificate was to represent Xie Yuzhe's approval. Since the goal was achieved, some minor flaws could be completely ignored.

Moreover, it is very common for literati to avoid taboos, let alone Xie Yuzhe is an official of the court.

But since Jiang Zhao cared, Xie Jin wouldn't say anything more, and kept the marriage certificate, even if she agreed to her request.

"Actually, what you think is right. My ability is limited. Even if you don't hide anything from me, I can't stand beside you to convince the subjects of the world."

The appearance of the marriage letter did not completely interrupt Xie Jin's thoughts. She looked down at the small copper stove in the middle of the carriage that exuded warmth, and spoke to Jiang Zhao in a soft voice, as if she was just talking about a trivial matter.

Jiang Zhao lowered his eyes and whispered, "I didn't mean that..."

"And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be ashamed of being unhelpful.

It's just that I think, even if you shield me from the wind and rain, I can't sit back and enjoy it. I can't control other people's thoughts, but with my father, my words still have some weight. Although I feel sorry for him, but There is really no way. "

Thinking of how hard it was for his father to end his exile and return to the capital, not only did he fail to be filial, but also made him suffer so much, Xie Jin naturally felt guilty towards Xie Yuzhe.

Seeing her downcast, Jiang Zhao was about to speak to comfort her, but suddenly remembered how she had dealt with Lu Cangyu. Compared to Xie Jin's treatment of Xie Yu, she could only say that she treated Lu Cangyu better than Xie Yu.

So he stroked his forehead with his hand and reflected for a moment.

"Your father told me that he had already discovered that the relationship between the two of us was unusual, but he didn't want to interfere more, and wanted you to quit.

But I didn't expect you to be so determined. In order to ask for a marriage letter for me, I'm afraid you will use up all your talents of more than twenty years. "Jiang Zhao turned to look at Xie Jin, then spoke slowly.

She stretched her arms around Xie Jin's waist, rubbed her cheek affectionately, and said slyly: "Anyway, this is the end of the matter, so you don't have to think too much. Father-in-law has come to do his best for me during this time." , Mostly because of your face, I will definitely respect him in the future, and make up for what you owe him."

Xie Jin stretched out his hand to pinch one of her cheeks, and said with a three-pointed threat: "Don't say anything to make up for it, Dad said that many courtiers have turned back to court, but you don't reserve a place for them?

It's better to put away these capriciousness, although the Zhao family has many followers, not all of them have done bad things, so they have to be forgiving and forgiving, which can not only gain a good reputation, but also make father less worried. "

"As for the Zhao family and their party members, I do intend to wipe them all out, but since my father-in-law has sued you, I naturally have to give him some face." Jiang Zhao said reluctantly.

She was holding grudges, and she wanted to intimidate her, so as to prevent another Zhao family from appearing after the fall of one Zhao family.

But Xie Yuzhe's worries were not groundless. Although Jiang Zhao had enough people under his command, most of them were fledglings. Naturally, they were not as easy to use as those old cunning heads who had been in officialdom for many years.

Jiang Zhao let go, and the next day issued a few imperial decrees to reinstate some ministers who turned back in time to show their loyalty and had little actual ties to the Zhao family. By the way, Xie Yuzhe was formally promoted back to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

As for the other difficult Prime Minister Qin, Lin Guan's appearance at the ceremony in the palace is enough to show his recognition of the present, and it also directly symbolizes the return of the world's literati. Qin Duan, the right prime minister who is his direct disciple, will naturally not be indifferent.

When Prime Minister Qin was hesitating, Jiang Zhao personally assured him that although he did not plan to give birth to Nafu, he would not announce that Xie Jin would be named Empress, forcing civil and military officials and people all over the world to call him a thousand years old.

Qin Duan pondered for a moment, heaved a long sigh, and finally compromised.

So in the winter of the third year of Jiaping, when the first heavy snow fell in Kyoto, the event of the ministers' dismissal provoked by Jiang Zhao finally came to an end quietly, and the entire court situation also underwent earth-shaking changes.

Jiang Zhao planned to liquidate the Zhao family after the next year, and did not deal with Zhao Hengze for the time being. However, he fell ill and bore the name of left prime minister, but he had not been in court for a long time.

In mid-December, as the New Year's Eve drew closer, Lu Ke, the general guarding the Keyang Pass on the border between Dameng and the Nanman, received a secret letter from the emperor to raid the border of the Nanman and take the initiative to launch an attack. This inevitable battle finally officially started. drums of war.

Almost every day, the latest news reached the palace, whether it was a victory report, or an order, or a simple statement of the war. Although the seal letter from Lu Ke was the last one, those familiar handwriting and statements could be seen as coming from Lu Cangyu's men.

Jiang Zhao's heart was completely settled.

Although she didn't say it directly, everyone in the court knew that the so-called Marshal Lu, who was locked in the sky prison and awaited his release, had already gone to the border to build momentum. The look of estrangement.

And because the war has not stopped, the New Year's banquet in the palace also lacks silk and bamboo orchestras, singing and dancing.

Jiang Zhao originally planned to bring Xie Jin to attend, but she declined it. After all, she knew well that the lack of objection from the officials was just succumbing to helplessness, rather than accepting her from the heart. She really didn't need to find anything wrong. happy.

So this unhappiness was given to Jiang Zhao, Xie Jin and Concubine Kang led Jiang Han together, and together with Jiang Xi, Aunt Qingshi, Yuan Xiang and others in Xihe Palace, it was a lively and lively time year.

Jiang Han was young and couldn't stay up all night, so she soon fell asleep in her mother's arms. Concubine Kang hugged her and was reluctant to let go. Han stayed overnight.

When it was approaching, Jiang Zhao's royal driver returned to the bedroom.

All the excitement has dissipated, Xie Jin is sitting under the lamp embroidering, Jin Dou is snoring and squatting at her feet, and when she hears the sound, she raises her head to look around, and when she sees someone she is familiar with, she lies down again the original position.

Jiang Zhao drank some wine, blushed, squinted at the suspicious little raccoon slave, and stretched out his feet to drive it away. The little raccoon slave frowned, stretched out its front paws and slapped the hem of her clothes continuously.

"What are you making trouble about?"

Xie Jin heard the movement, put down the embroidery, hugged Jindou in his arms to comfort him, and gave Jiang Zhao a displeased look.

Jiang Zhao pouted and walked to the dragon bed and sat down, grunting and complaining about having a headache, and glanced at Xie Jin from time to time, seeing her looking over, he quickly looked away, crouched down and buried his head in the quilt.

Xie Jin had no choice but to let Jindou go, poured a cup of hot tea and walked over to sit beside her.

"Stop pretending, there will be a sacrifice ceremony tomorrow morning, go wash and change clothes and go to bed, don't waste time."

Reaching out to pat Jiang Zhao, Jiang Zhao said again: "I have an appointment with the princess. I will take Ah Yuan out of the palace tomorrow to pray for blessings at the Huguo Temple. Then I will go back to Xie's house to spend the New Year with my parents. I will return to the palace in a few days." Come here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Zhao pulled out his head buried in the quilt suddenly, showing a particularly aggrieved expression, "Don't accompany me to the New Year banquet, don't accompany me to worship the ancestors, and leave me alone in the palace? "

Xie Jin didn't like her, and gave her the teacup in his hand, and said lightly: "I don't usually go out of the palace, shouldn't I be filial during the Chinese New Year? Besides, I won't be there for a few days."

Jiang Zhao was about to speak again, but Xie Jin covered his mouth with his hand, "There is no need to discuss this matter, so don't mess around, lest my father have another problem with you. Clean it up yourself, and I'll call you When the water comes, let’s rest after washing.”

After speaking, he got up and left the palace gate, leaving Jiang Zhao alone holding the teacup and sulking.

The next day at the New Year's Sacrifice Ceremony, Jiang Zhao got up early, and Xie Jin was not too late.

When they were tidying up, Concubine Kang brought Jiang Han to greet Jiang Zhao. The Qingyuan Hall sent new clothes early in the morning. Jiang Han was dressed in red, which made her round face beaming with joy. Concubine Kang couldn't bear it. Zhu said: "This child has been raised very well by His Majesty."

"It's Jinniang's credit. She is more careful than I am, and gets along well with Han'er. Aunt Huang should also feel relieved."

Jiang Zhao was served by the palace people and put on a heavy and gorgeous royal gown, which made him look more calm and solemn. Just sitting there, even though his expression was gentle, he also had an aura of calm and prestige, which made people dare not offend.

She called Jiang Han's name, but Jiang Han didn't dare to approach her, always feeling that she had become a little strange.

The concubine looked a little embarrassed, and mumbled: "This child is born timid. Your majesty should have known it before getting along with her. In fact, there are many heirs in the clan. May your majesty... think about it a little longer?"

"I didn't have much courage in the past, so I'll just keep it up. Aunt Huang doesn't need to question my vision."

Jiang Zhao stood up, walked over and touched Jiang Han's head, did not continue the question, turned around and told Xie Jin: "Let Xiao Yuanzi follow me, and send my regards to my parents, brothers and sisters-in-law. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Xie Jin responded, taking into account that there were others beside him, a slight blush appeared on his face.

Jiang Zhao didn't care, and was afraid that the concubine couldn't even have breakfast here, so she asked Xie Jin to entertain the emperor's aunt on her behalf, and called Gao Sheng'an to drive to eat elsewhere.