Xie Xiang

The body of my grandmother, who was gradually cooling down, was on the bed. Liu Zao had no choice but to believe that she would disappear suddenly.She was distraught, and all the pent-up of the past few days was vented at this moment, crying bitterly in Xie Yi's arms, completely losing the restraint she used to have.

Xie Yi patted her on the back lightly, raised her head slightly, tears glistened in her eyes.

Until Liu Zao had vented, stopped crying, and only shed tears, Xie Yifang comforted him: "Your Majesty is so sad, if the old lady sees her, she will feel distressed."

Liu Zao didn't speak, she leaned on Xie Yi's shoulder, her eyes fell on the face of the old lady who would never open her eyes again, tears flowed silently.

How heartbroken it is to lose a dear one, after Xie Yi said it, she felt that everything she said at this time would be light and flirtatious, and there could be no comfort at all, so she just stopped talking and just stayed with Liu Zao, stroking her back. , indicating that she was there, someone was with her.

So, sitting up until dawn, Liu Zao was still grieving, but finally healed, and his voice was hoarse, which made people prepare for the funeral.Seeing her slowing down, Xie Yi was able to speak, and felt a little relieved, and said to her, "Your Majesty, let's wash up first. The old lady has no children, and Your Majesty is a cousin. Who will preside over the funeral ceremony must be arranged by Your Majesty."

Life and death are not trivial matters. His Majesty served the old lady with utmost filial piety. When the old lady passed away suddenly, everything needed to be settled, and His Majesty must do it himself.

Liu Zao didn't seem to be listening, she looked at the old lady's face again, and said softly: "The servant said that my grandmother had been ill for a long time, and she didn't want me to worry about it, so she could hide it. I don't believe it. Simmered cake bait."

She paused, and tears rolled down her eyes: "The cake bait is delicious. It tastes exactly the same as when I was a child. My grandmother is also in good spirits. She has talked to me for a long time. No matter how you look at it, she doesn't look like a sick person. I have made people Take down the servant girl and torture him. But if she was really murdered, all the servants in this mansion were chosen by me. Could it be that I killed her? How can I stand in front of my grandmother? If not, she is sick like this For a long time, but I don't know if it's unfilial."

She took all the faults on herself, Xie Yi felt uncomfortable hearing it, and was about to comfort her, when she turned her head and said to her: "Thank you so much for staying with me last night, so that I am not so helpless, and you have not been so helpless overnight." Sleep, go back and rest."

How could Xie Yi feel at ease in her situation, she just said: "Don't be busy, there is no one in the house to take care of, His Majesty will inevitably have something to ignore, I will help His Majesty."

When Liu Zao heard this, he was no longer stubborn, but said sincerely: "Thank you, sir."

Everything that happened next was really done by Liu Zao himself.The servants also refrained from being tortured, and they also testified that the old lady's medical doctor had indeed died of illness.

In fact, Liu Zao also guessed that most of them died of illness, but she was furious at the time, and she didn't want to believe that the old lady had gone away without a sound, so she inevitably found them to vent her anger, but she actually blamed herself more in her heart.

After finding out, Liu Zao thought that these people had served his grandmother for many years and had worked hard, so he gave them many awards, which were both rewards and compensation.

Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty had a will, which expressly ordered that "serve great meritorious service for fifteen days, minor meritorious service for fourteen days, and slenderness for seven days, and release the service". For the mourning of grandparents, minor meritorious service should be served, which is the fourth class among the five. The period is only fourteen days.Liu Zao felt that it was not enough, and wanted to act in the old manner before Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty.

Before Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty, Xiaogong had to be served for five months.

Apart from that, she also arranged the rest of the details extremely thoughtfully, because of her hard work, there was an endless stream of people who came to pay their respects, and there was no one from the Three Kingdoms and nine ministers, which was no longer summed up in the word grand occasion.

However, Liu Zao was still not relieved, she couldn't sleep all night and night, and couldn't even force a smile, as if in an instant, the whole person collapsed.

She also knew that this was not good, and if she wanted to find someone to talk to, Xie Yi was the only one who might let her say something intimate.

There were too many people in the mourning hall, so it was noisy, and at night, when all the people dispersed, it was still quiet.Liu Zao is a maternal relative, so it was not her turn to guard the spirit, but her grandmother had no children and grandchildren, so she hastily adopted a nephew from a side branch, and recorded it under the name of her grandfather to continue the sacrifice.Liu Zao also felt that the nephew was not close to his grandmother, so he might not really pay homage to his grandmother, so he had to keep watch in person.

In this way, it is unavoidable to exceed the system and violate the etiquette.It is rare for the ministers to advise, and Yang Chang, the censor doctor, was the leader, and he spoke very harshly.

Liu Zao blamed himself, but felt that no matter how filial he was, it would be hard to forgive his sins, and the ministers even wanted to stop this.She couldn't help being furious, picked up a pen, and wanted to personally write an edict to reprimand him, seize his official position, and order him to go home to save himself. Yang Chang is old, once he seizes an official position, he probably won't be able to return to the court.Xie Yi watched from the side, so she wanted to persuade her. Such a hard fight might lead to major incidents. His Majesty is upset at the moment, so you might as well leave this matter to her to deal with.

I don't want to, but before the remonstrance words came out, Liu Zao stopped writing again, took a deep breath, looked very depressed, and said to Xie Yi: "In the past, Teacher Huan wanted to learn step by step and only taught Confucianism. Dao has no way, it was Yang Chang who presented the Taishi Gongshu, which gave me a little inspiration from the lessons learned by the ancients."

She swallowed all the words of remonstrance, Xie Yi sighed in her heart, His Majesty is not a benevolent and cowardly king, but he has his own opinions, and most of them persisted, but he remembered a small act of kindness back then, and he didn't care about Yang Changxian at that time. The book is for herself, and she only remembers that she has benefited from it and wants to repay him.

Liu Zao's complexion was very pale, and her complexion was not good. The old lady passed away for three days, and she seldom closed her eyes. When she wandered in front of the spirit, or looked at the spirit seat, she often had a dazed look on her face. It seemed that she couldn't believe the old lady. Really died.

So she opened her mouth to speak and began to talk, which still made Xie Yi extremely worried.

"Your Majesty might as well issue an edict, first reprimand, and then ask Yang Chang to propose a regulation, asking him how to observe the etiquette and law, and at the same time make His Majesty filial. With this edict, the court will discuss that the funeral period is too short, and it must be Some ministers proposed to restore the ancient rites, and they went on arguing, and they couldn't care about His Majesty." When the debate came to an end, the funeral ceremony here was over.

When Liu Zao heard this, he thought it was ok, and he and Xie Yi nodded gratefully, sending people to draft an edict.

When the imperial edict was drawn up and issued, Liu Zao went to the hall to guard the spirit.

Apart from being busy with other things, Xie Yi stayed with her most of the time.Liu Zao was very tired, but she couldn't fall asleep when she closed her eyes. She was full of things to say, so she couldn't help but start talking to Xie Yi, talking about things from her childhood.

"When I was young, I found out about my life experience, and I was very resentful, especially since it was not a secret. My neighbors and family members always looked at me with contempt or pity, so I was very resentful. I feel that I am also of the Liu family, the grandson of Emperor Wu. , Why do I live in such a state of desperation and timidity. It was my grandmother who persuaded me."

In her memory, she lived with her grandmother, so there are many things to tell about the past.In the past, Liu Zao would not tell anyone about it. These things happened when she was down and down, and she said it as if she was begging for pity.

But when it comes to Xie Yi, she won't have such scruples.What's the matter with her that Xie Xiang doesn't know?She was only afraid that she would chatter too much and make Xie Xiang bother her.

So after a few words, she felt a little embarrassed, and hastily concluded: "Thanks to my grandmother, otherwise, I would be a cynical person."

Xie Yi wouldn't bother her, she was only worried that His Majesty would be unwell, so she spoke to her, "The old madam is kind to Your Majesty."

The mourning hall was solemn and solemn, the lights and candles flickered from time to time, and because it was summer, a lot of ice was placed on the hall to fear that the corpse would rot, which was actually a bit gloomy, but Liu Zao was not afraid at all. She looked at the spirit tablet for a long time, and her expression became more and more dazed.

Xie Yi was afraid that she would fall into sadness again, and said to her: "When the old lady lived in the courtier's house, she also mentioned several times about His Majesty's childhood."

When Liu Zao heard this, he really looked at her.

Xie Yi lowered her voice quickly, word by word, as if telling a story to her: "When your Majesty was young, one year he went on a spring trip, and His Majesty was inattentive and separated from his family..."

Liu Zao followed Xie Yi's words to reminisce, Xie Yi's voice gradually softened, Liu Zao gradually approached her, and at some point leaned on her shoulder.

"Finally found it, the old lady wept with joy, but she was also terrified, but His Majesty only smiled, not knowing what kind of disaster he had caused." Xie Yi finished speaking softly, and Liu Zao's breathing sank.

After staying up for three days and three nights, even hard-working people couldn't hold it.Xie Yi breathed a sigh of relief, and waited for a long time to make sure that Liu Zao was fast asleep, so as to prevent her from lying down, let her head rest on her lap, so that she could sleep more comfortably.

It is indeed impolite to sleep in front of the spirit, but Xie Yi is afraid that if she moves, it will wake up His Majesty, and the old lady loves His Majesty so much, the spirit under the spring knows, and will not blame His Majesty.

It was still three hours before dawn, but Xie Yi didn't feel sleepy at all. She looked at Liu Zao's sleeping face by candlelight, and couldn't get tired of watching it.Liu Zao fell asleep, so she curled up her body. By daybreak, she had unknowingly approached Xie Yi's lower abdomen. She didn't know what she had dreamed of, and she still rubbed her head against Xie Yi's abdomen. is intimate.

Xie Yi pursed her lower lip and looked down at her. Liu Zao's skin was very fair, but her hair was as thick and thick as a crow's feather.Xie Yi dazed, raised her hand to lightly touch the junction of Liu Zao's forehead hair and skin.Her hair was silky and smooth, but her skin was a little cold. Xie Yi's fingertips slowly moved down, stroking her cheeks, and slowly reached the corners of her lips.

Liu Zao moved a bit, and put his arms around Xie Yi's waist.Xie Yi felt like waking up from a dream, and quickly withdrew her hands, her chest heaving unceasingly.

When Liu Zao woke up, it was already [-] o'clock, she opened her eyes and saw Xie Yi's chin, she was startled for a while, blinked a little dullly, and hurriedly sat up.

"Your Majesty is awake." Xie Yi said.

Liu Zao's face was completely red, she nodded, and couldn't help but look at Xie Yi's legs, she slept all night on Xie Yi's pillow.

"Your Majesty, let's go wash up." Xie Yi said in a steady voice.

Liu Zao hurriedly agreed, stood up, and secretly paid attention to Xie Yi's expression, but saw that her expression was extremely calm, which could be called calm.Liu Zao blushed, but also tried to make herself look calmer, and said calmly: "Mr. Xie, go and take a rest quickly to catch up on sleep."

Xie Yi said, "Okay."

Liu Zao really couldn't stay any longer, her heart almost jumped out of her throat, her face was burning like a fever, and she walked away quickly.

After she left, Xie Yifang stood up with the support of a few desks, and let Liu Zao sleep all night. Her legs were already numb, and when she stood up straight, her knees hurt like countless needles.Xie Yi frowned invisibly, and didn't make any show of it, just stood quietly, and when she was better, she put incense on the old lady before walking away slowly.

There must be someone in charge of the government, Liu Zao is in the old house, Xie Yi has to support the government affairs for her, so he goes to the government office instead of taking care of sleep.As soon as the emperor issued an edict, the court really went to discuss mourning clothes.The great man ruled the world with filial piety, but the period of mourning was actually shorter.

Emperor Wen's "Short Funeral Edict" set the day to month, and the maximum period of three years was shortened to 36 days.The time for mourning should be determined according to the severity of the grief, and the mere 36 days of mourning and remembrance are far from enough.Zilu thought three years was too long, and Confucius criticized him for this.

Many of the ministers thought that the period of three years should be restored, but it was set by Emperor Wen, and the emperor was the descendant of Emperor Wen, so overthrowing it would be unfilial.Xie Yi didn't open her mouth, and only asked them to discuss, so that His Majesty could send the old lady off for the last time with peace of mind.

After they finished their discussion, they came to the conclusion that the old edict of the former king could not be changed. It was already early winter, the old lady was buried in the mausoleum, and the old house was still there, but Liu Zao didn't like to go there.

The death of the old lady was insignificant in the court. After the funeral, the old house was deserted and no one mentioned it, as if the grand occasion of the funeral was fake.

Liu Zao doesn't care much about this, as long as she remembers her grandmother, that's enough. Others don't know her grandmother at all, so what difference does it make if they mention her or not?She also recovered and resumed her previous routine.

It's very cold, it's the beginning of winter, and it's so cold, I don't know how to endure it when counting to nine.Liu Zao put down his pen and rubbed his hands. Seeing this, Hu Ao winked to the side, ordering to add more carbon to the brazier.

Liu Zao stood up, warmed his hands on the brazier, and then continued to read the playbook, after finishing reading, Xie Yi happened to come over to report some important matters to her.

Liu Zao was very happy when he saw her, he talked about business, and stayed with her for a long time, until it was snowing outside, and it would be difficult to go on the road at night, so he sent her all the way outside the palace gate.Xie Yi didn't show any displeasure either, she actually followed her in everything.

The snow fell more and more, and within half an hour, a layer had accumulated on the road. Liu Zao sat on the palace carriage, looking at the snow-covered trees, the snow-covered tiles, the passing palace people, the plain white It's snowing, but I feel lonely in my heart.

After the old lady left, Liu Zao often felt very lonely, no matter how many people there were in the palace, it would not be relieved, only when Xie Yi was there, she would feel better, once Xie Yi left, she would fall into loneliness again.

It's just that she didn't mention this matter to anyone, and she kept it in her heart.

Back in Xuanshi Hall, Liu Zao took a box from the bookshelf, opened it, and it was an imperial edict.She took out the imperial edict and opened it, as if it was the imperial edict written by herself that day, approving Xie Yi's resignation.

After the old lady passed away, Prime Minister Xie never mentioned leaving, and Liu Zao would not take the initiative to mention it, but she always had a worry in her heart, worrying that Prime Minister Xie would leave one day, and at that time, I am afraid that no one would stop her. Can't live.

Liu Zao rolled up the imperial edict, heaved a sigh of relief, put it back in the box and put it away.

Xie Yi left the palace, but encountered something.

She is busy in the court every day, and the family is managed by a staff, who are also quite talented, and have not made mistakes for many years.As soon as she returned to the mansion today, the staff waited at the door, and when they saw her coming back, they first saluted her, and then said, there is something important to report.

Since it is an important matter, you must listen to it.

Xie Yi went to the study with him, and his expression sank when he heard it.

The aide was very embarrassed, but he had to say, so he was very careful with his words. He said it from the beginning, it was very detailed, it is conceivable that he sent someone to investigate.

"It was what the gentleman said five days ago when he was drinking with several Hou family sons in Jiaofang. The gentleman was drunk, and the Hou family sons forced him with words, and the gentleman yelled that the prince had already made an appointment with him. , I will be hired in a few days. Now rumors are circulating everywhere in Beijing that the prince will marry that gentleman."

The staff are confidantes, how could they not know that this is a fake.It's just a matter related to the honor of the emperor, so I have to report it to her before discussing it.

This world is extremely difficult for women, even if there is a chance to become an official, how many people can occupy a high position?However, in Beijing, there are only two women with a senior official of more than two thousand shi, one is Xie Xiang, and the other is a gray-haired old man. After getting drunk, he disrespectfully speculates on the old man's personal virtues.

The aides followed Xie Yi, seeing how she put in so much effort, and how diligent and restrained she was, they knew that she had worked hard to get to where she is today.He looked down on Chen Si very much, not to mention it was fake, even if it was true, how could the matter of marriage be so frivolously flaunted with a group of cronies in that glamorous place.

Xie Yi thought for a while, and said, "I will handle this matter myself."

Hearing the words, the staff retreated in peace.

Xie Yi finished reading the copybook in the study, and when it was dark, she got up and went to her mother.

Their mother and daughter may not see each other once in half a month. When Mrs. Wei saw her coming, she knew what was going on, and she didn't panic. After so many years, there is no other man in this world, so you should cherish the blessing."

The fourth brother she mentioned was Chen Mu. She thought that the two had been married for many years, but she always felt that Xie Yi couldn't do it for a while, and she couldn't last too long. There is no way a woman would not marry.But now, Xie Yi has no intention of letting go, so the old lady is in a hurry.The old lady was not angry when Chen Mu uttered big words in Jiaofang, but felt that this was just the right way to force Xie Yi.

"Words have spread all over Chang'an, you should have ruined your reputation, so why be stubborn."

Xie Yi smiled: "Is my reputation ruined by just a few crazy words?"

The old lady froze and glared at her.

There was anger in Xie Yi's eyes, but the smile was still on her lips. The old lady felt chills in her heart, but she was sure that she dared not do anything.The imperial court had just discussed a restoration ceremony, and it was the time when filial piety was emphasized. If she was not filial, someone would definitely criticize her.

Xie Yi said: "Brother, there is no need to go back to Beijing."

The eldest brother she mentioned was the eldest son of the old lady.Apart from Xie Yi, the old lady has two sons, both of whom are officials in counties and counties, and it was originally planned that the eldest son would return to Beijing in the coming year.

As soon as she opened her mouth, she grasped the old lady's lifeline, and the old lady said tremblingly: "You don't need to go back to Beijing?"

"in this life."

The old lady was furious: "How dare you do that!"

"Mother said one more thing, and the second brother is also the same."

The old lady suddenly seemed to be choked by the throat, and stared at her angrily.

Seeing that she had calmed down, Xie Yi also turned around and left.

She is busy on weekdays, and she has no intention of confronting her tit for tat. After all, she is a mother, and if she can't talk to one place, she should stay away.If she didn't want to, it only fueled her arrogance.

When Xie Yi went back, seeing that nothing had happened, she rested early.She lay on the bed and closed her eyes, but it was His Majesty's reluctant but restrained gaze when he sent her out of the palace.

Chen Mu's nonsense is not a big deal.Xie Yi has dealt with the family, the rest is handled by her own staff.However, the news spread to the palace and reached Liu Zao's ears.

Liu Zao heard the rumors from two ministers in private.

She bumped into these two people at the corner of the palace wall, they did not expect to bump into His Majesty head-on, and they were still talking.Liu Zao faintly heard the word "Prime Minister" and "Marriage", and his heart skipped a beat. He asked the two people, "What the Qing family said is the prime minister's marriage?"

They thought that if Chen Mu dared to speak to others, he probably made a serious decision. Otherwise, how could he have such courage, and the prime minister would be accused of making rumors.Then he smiled and replied: "Your Majesty heard about it too? Let's see when the Prime Minister expresses his thanks, so I can congratulate you."

Liu Zao was dizzy for a while and couldn't speak for a long time. The two didn't understand why, but they didn't dare to leave.Liu Zao stabilized his mind and asked, "Who is the gentleman?"

"Chen Jiazi, a famous shepherd."

Chen Mu.Liu Zao recited a sentence silently, flustered, and she hurriedly recited a thank you silently, but it had no effect of calming her mind. She recited silently three times in a row, but her mind was still in a state of confusion.

She walked away, wanting to ask Xie Yi.She just met Mrs. Xie yesterday, she didn't mention that she was leaving, she stayed with her in the capital, and when her grandmother had a funeral, she even indulged her to sleep on her lap all night, because of this, although she didn't dare to mention her feelings, but every time Seeing Xie Xiang, my heart is sweet.

Xie Xiang is magnanimous, especially frank with her, and never deceives her.With her personality, if there is such a thing, she should tell her personally, instead of letting her hear it from other places, she will be suspicious.As a person, if this happened, how could she stay in the capital? She must go far away, let alone come to the palace to meet her often.

Liu Zao thought about a lot of people who took Xie Xiang as a person, and she was sure that Xie Xiangzhen's marriage would not be hidden from her.But those two ministers are also cautious people, most of the things they can talk about while walking on the road are known to everyone, not to mention how dare they spread rumors about the prime minister in front of the emperor.

Liu Zao was in a restless state of mind, and her feet were fast. Before she could react, she arrived outside the government office.Xie Yi happened to walk out of it, and when she saw Liu Zao, she saw the panic in her eyes.Xie Yi's steps stopped.

She is right in front of you, and you can know it as soon as you ask.Liu Zao couldn't speak, she suddenly thought, why should she interfere with Xie Xiang's marriage.They were separated by a distance of three to five steps, Liu Zao's panic could be seen in her eyes, but her lips were tightly pressed together, she looked at Xie Yi, trying to calm down, the panic in her eyes disappeared, but became A touch of grievance that he tried his best to bear.

On the way here, she was afraid and flustered, and just wanted to find out. After seeing Xie Xiang, she suddenly realized that she actually didn't even have the right to ask questions.

Xie Yi's gaze softened, and she shook her head slightly.

Liu Zao was stunned, the grievance receded, and he was overjoyed in an instant.

Xie Xiang didn't say anything, but she understood.

She was telling her, no, it was fake.

Seeing her happy eyebrows, Xie Yi couldn't help but also bent her lower lip.