Self-cultivation after the cannon fodder

"leave here?"

Concubine Lu Gui murmured and repeated several times, then shook her head and said, "Your Highness, don't make such jokes about your concubines, it's not fun."

"Of course it's not a joke. I just said that if there was such a possibility, would you leave?"

"My father is an official in the court. Although his official position is not high, he is more or less familiar with His Majesty," Concubine Lu Gui said slowly, "Although my family is not as good as other families in Beijing, after the concubines entered the palace, The children in the family have a much wider range of options for marriage proposals, and those prominent families are willing to marry with my family..."

Although she is busy and lonely in the palace every day, the family members outside the palace walls have gained a lot of benefits, some can be seen, and some can't be seen. If she is gone, the development of the whole family will be much slower .

Concubine Lu Gui: "I don't know where I can go if I leave here." When she was young, she also fantasized about what her lover would look like. to marry a wife...

Thinking too far, Concubine Lu Gui pursed her lips and lowered her eyes. He didn't have a good impression of herself before, but now he probably doesn't.

"Sorry, I don't know that."

Zhu Sining hasn't thought about it yet. Most concubines come from aristocratic families. Of course, they enter the palace because of family interests. A family like Lu Guifei can get countless benefits because of her. Those aristocratic families need a daughter in the harem , in addition to consolidating the family status, but also a lot of peace of mind.

"It's normal for His Highness not to think of these things. The King Qin's mansion has deep roots. King Qin and his son will not let His Highness be wronged. Why bother to worry about these things that don't exist."

Concubine Lu Guifei finished her last cup of tea, got up and bowed to Zhu Sining: "It's getting late, the concubine still has palace affairs to deal with, so I will take my leave first."

Zhu Sining nodded and watched her leave.

What Concubine Lu Gui said made sense, he took it for granted.Zhu Xiuyong told Zhu Sining more than once that if he wanted to leave, he could leave as soon as he packed his things. As for what would happen later, it was out of Zhu Sining's consideration.

As long as Zong Qihao still relies on Zhu's family, Zhu Xiuyong has the confidence.

Zhu Sining decided to write a letter to Zhu Xiuyong first, concerned about whether his elder brother was busy with his official duties, and then asked him if he had a girl he liked, and if not, could he lend him his wife's book first.

Although living in this palace is very boring, leaving this palace and where to go is also a problem.

Their families may not be willing to accept them anymore.

Zhu Xiuyong quickly replied to the letter, saying that although he is still single, their brotherhood is very touching, but borrowing his wife is not enough, because he suspects that Zhu Sining is going to make trouble again, and it is far from convenient for him now. So Zong Qihao was entrusted to help take care of him.

Zhu Sining: "..." Brother, you have changed.

After reading the letter, Zhu Sining finished his ink and planned to discuss with Zhu Xiuyong again. Halfway through writing, he heard the report from the palace that Zong Qihao had come.

This time Zong Qihao really got a chance.

As expected, Zong Qihao was holding another letter in his hand, which was written by Zhu Xiuyong.

The content of the letter was quite normal, it briefly talked about the situation at the border, and said that Zhu Sining was not in good health, and asked Zong Qihao to pay more attention.

After reading the letter, Zhu Sining was sure that Zhu Xiuyong was bluffing him.

"Is Ah Ning going to write a reply letter?" Zong Qihao noticed the half-written letter on Zhu Sining's desktop, "Do you want me to help write it?"

Zhu Sining refused: "No, I can finish it myself."

Zong Qihao sighed: "I thought there was a chance to be courteous."

"Is Your Majesty so free?"

Zhu Sining glanced at the sky outside. Zong Qihao would usually call his ministers for a meeting at this time. Especially recently, after he decided to prepare for the war, Zong Qihao would go out early and return late every day even if he didn't go to the court. I wish Si Ning to wake up in the morning The bed next to him was already cold, and he ate dinner alone, and Zong Qihao didn't come back until it was time to go to bed.

"I happen to be free today." Zong Qihao said, "There is one more thing that I must tell Ah Ning."

Xiao Yiming was not transferred from the Imperial Academy by Zong Qihao, but now he can no longer participate in government records, but has completely become a book editor.

"I can't think of where to transfer him at the moment, where is very important now, besides..." Zong Qihao paused for a while, Xiao Yiming's influence is really great, if he targets a courtier because of his disagreement, other courtiers He may not put forward other opinions in the future, which will not benefit his future governance.

So even if he is demoted, he can't go too far.

"Xiao Yiming is like this now, and there are still many veterans who think it is possible. After all, he is really outstanding, but I promised that if they are willing to take him to practice more, I am still willing to give him a chance." The number one scholar, as for those old courtiers coming to ask for someone again, he will have to consider it in detail.

Zong Qihao originally thought of using Xiao Yiming's inexplicable power, but later found that once Xiao Yiming and him stood on the opposite side, it would be very difficult for him to win, which was too risky.

Zhu Sining: "Aside from writing books, is there anything else?"

Zong Qihao: "It should be gone."

Now it seems that Xiao Yiming has been depressed a lot, he spends all day in the library repairing books, Zong Qihao can only let him go if he doesn't make mistakes again,

Move on to other things.

Zhu Sining vaguely felt that something was wrong. The life of the protagonist is destined to be impossible to be peaceful. Xiao Yiming is now entering a low ebb period. I believe he will soon be rewarded from this experience and make a comeback.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for the news that Xiao Yiming was going to hold an academic debate with Guozijian to offer wine to the whole capital.

A debate can be created by repairing books——

When Xiao Yiming was revising the history books, he was not ashamed to ask his subordinates about the problematic areas, and asked for evidence in many ways if he was vague. Make up your mind, don't be surprised by favor or shame, willing to work hard to learn, and still praise him very much.

The beginning of this debate was that Xiao Yiming came up with a new academic point of view based on the sorting out over the past few days, and had a dispute with the highest official of the Imperial College Jijiu. Set a date for a public debate and invite scholars from all walks of life to participate in the judging.

The first time Zhu Sining heard the news, he immediately pushed the wheelchair to Qingning Palace.

The sacrificial wine of Guozijian is Xu Shufei’s grandfather, who has peaches and plums all over the world and enjoys a high reputation among scholars. All candidates must buy a copy of his commentaries on the scriptures before each imperial examination. Officials, I have heard a section more or less.

Although he did not participate in the imperial examination questions, he was behind every imperial examination.

Such a great Confucian, whom all students in the world must study and look up to, will face the biggest challenge in his life in his later years.

Xu Jijiu is already in Jiazi's year, and his physical energy is not as good as before. The Xu family does not want him to have a public debate with Xiao Yiming. It is natural to win, and it is a bully to lose. Unsteady, not in line with the style of contemporary great Confucianism.

"Why is Your Highness here?" Seeing Zhu Sining coming, Wang Zhaoyi was surprised, "Your Highness is inconvenient to move now, you should take more rest, running around like this, when will it be better."

"Actually, I'm already healed, but I just can't walk." Zhu Sining also wanted to walk by himself, but he failed after several attempts.

Wang Zhaoyi didn't understand what it meant, but it didn't stop her from warmly inviting Zhu Sining to visit the Qingning Palace: "These furniture covers were made by my concubines in the past, and they will be replaced with new ones during the Chinese New Year. Come, I will also make some for Jiaofangdian when the time comes, so that the winter will not be too cold."

These covers are beautiful, and each of them has Wang Zhaoyi's embroidery level. However, there are so many colorful and green areas piled up together, without an overall style, it looks messy and unsightly.

Zhu Sining, who has an ordinary aesthetic level, felt dazzled, so he suggested euphemistically, "Has Wang Zhaoyi thought about making a whole set of covers with the same theme, and each cover can make some special adjustments to the corresponding furniture, so that the whole If you change it into a set, it will definitely look good.”

"It sounds very good. Each cover looks similar, but if you look closely, there are many differences. Only in this way can you show the level of a concubine."

Wang Zhaoyi thought about it for a while, full of enthusiasm, not only wanted to change the cover of Qingning Palace, but also wanted to arrange the cover of Jiaofang Palace.

The kindness is hard to turn down, Zhu Sining has no requirements for this, and said casually: "Then let's make a set for the Chinese New Year, as long as it suits the occasion."

After not seeing Concubine Xu Shu for a long time, Zhu Sining asked her.

"Yingying is not in a good mood. She went to Concubine Lu Gui and asked her to help deliver the letter again. She hasn't come back yet, please forgive me." Wang Zhaoyi said angrily, "It's all Xiao's fault, what kind of academic debate This kind of debate is too exhausting. Mr. Jijiu is not in good health. Yingying's family doesn't want him to go, but they can't persuade him. Yingying has sent more than one letter to her family, so I can only be anxious."

Xu Jijiu couldn't bear Xiao Yiming's questioning of him, and in the end the Xu family couldn't stop him, so they had to build momentum for him, trying to overwhelm Xiao Yiming in terms of momentum, but the higher the momentum, the worse the loss would be, and Xiao Yiming's reputation was fulfilled .

I have done everything that can be done. If Xu Jijiu died of exhaustion after this debate, Concubine Xu Shu will definitely be blackened.

Wang Zhaoyi was very worried: "No matter how you do this kind of thing, you will give Xiao something an advantage. If you ignore him, it will be endless. If you ignore him, it will be easy to lose. When the time comes, let him step on the top position. No matter what you do..."

After listening for a long time, Zhu Sining reminded: "His name is Xiao Yiming."

Wang Zhaoyi nodded again and again: "That's right, that's right, that's Xiao Xiao. This person is very powerful. Since he made a fortune, no one else has to do business in any industry he has been in contact with. With him, the family's property has shrunk a lot. , life is not going well."

Zhu Sining: "..." Forget it, it's just a name. Wang Zhaoyi hates him so much that she doesn't want to remember his name.

Originally, Xu Jijiu was so old that he should have gone home long ago to entertain his grandchildren, but he had a high reputation and good knowledge, so Zong Qihao asked him to continue his post. If he lost this debate, Xu Jijiu would It's no longer Xu Jijiu.

As soon as Zhu Sining arrived to invite Ning Palace, Wang Zhaoyi sent the palace staff to inform Concubine Xu Shu, asking her to come back early.The two sat and chatted for a long time, and finally waited for Concubine Xu Shu.

"Your Highness has been waiting for a long time." Concubine Xu Shu used to be smiling, but now she smiles reluctantly, "Since the beginning of spring, my grandfather has not been in good health. I originally planned to wait until the end of the year before resigning. There will be such a thing in the head."

Knowledge of Xu Jijiu is definitely enough, but his physical strength is not enough. If he doesn't participate, he will let Xiao Yiming continue to build momentum. If he participates, he can only participate in half of the game. Winning or losing is not good.

"He won anyway, and my grandfather didn't want to be so passive." Concubine Xu Shu sighed, "Many students now recognize Xiao Zhuangyuan more and have doubts about his grandfather's knowledge. There is no guarantee for the evening festival."

Zhu Sining was also at a loss, he couldn't let Zong Qihao suddenly intervene for no reason and ordered the debate to be banned.

The debate seemed unstoppable.

According to the original plot, Zong Qihao attended the debate, and his impression of Xu Jijiu changed drastically. After that, he was dismissed without waiting for Xu Jijiu to resign. This aggravated Concubine Xu Shu's hatred for Xiao Yiming.

"Actually, this is just my concubine's worry. Your Highness don't need to worry about it," Concubine Xu Shu said softly, "It's getting late, Your Highness should go back early, and be careful on the way."

How to cancel the debate and save Xu Jijiu's life is Concubine Xu Shu's worry and Zhu Sining's task.

Since the beginning must be started, Xu Jijiu can only last half the time... Then let the debate only last for half the time!

After confirming that Zong Qihao would not go to see it, Zhu Sining wrote an application to replace him in the debate.

On the eve of the official start of the debate, Xiao Yiming received an imperial edict from the palace.

"Your Highness is going out of the palace, come over to watch the debate in person?"

He read it several times, and he was sure that it came from the edict of Jiaofang Palace.Zhu Sining has been paying attention to him all the time, and wants to watch this debate...

Xiao Yiming was very excited, and repeatedly confirmed the safety of the venue with the Xu family who came to meet.

"The queen wants to come to the debate?" The Xu family frowned their eyebrows in doubt. Who didn't know that Zhu Sining didn't know anything about these things. The possibility of him coming to this debate was even lower than that of Zong Qihao.

"If it's possible for His Majesty to see it, Queen..." The Xu family sneered, "I guess it's just talk, Mr. Xiao should not take it too seriously, so as not to be happy for nothing."

Xiao Yiming said solemnly: "Whether His Highness comes or not, we must be prepared."

The Xu family curled their lips, but their hearts sank. They heard that Zhu Sining often went to the library, and Xiao Yiming was there with him at that time.

This Xiao Yiming's luck is really damn good.

At the same time, Zong Qihao sighed while pinching the application specially written by Zhu Sining: "It's well written, but it looks very unreliable. What on earth is Ah Ning thinking? Can be..."

Jiang Wei lowered his head and snickered, saying that, Zong Qihao agreed.

"Your Highness has a plan for success. If it can be achieved, it will be regarded as a great help to His Majesty, isn't it?"

Zong Qihao glanced at him: "Have you finished sorting out the memorial? Hurry up and send it to the cabinet."

Jiang Wei let out a hey, and ordered the young eunuchs to move faster.

Zong Qihao put away the application letter specially written by Zhu Sining, and remembered the scene of the debate in his previous life.

At that time, as soon as he heard that Xiao Yiming was going to have a debate with Xu Jijiu, he arranged to watch it without even thinking about it. In fact, he couldn't remember the content of the debate clearly. He only remembered that Xu Jijiu lost his former demeanor and calmness and became He became aggressive, so his impression of the Xu family plummeted.

In the previous life, Zong Qihao didn't feel particularly strange about the empress and concubine teaming up to deal with Xiao Yiming, as if things should develop like this, anyway, Xiao Yiming would win in the end.

But in fact, it is rare in any dynasty to fight so fiercely. It is impossible for a qualified emperor to have a harem that is out of control.

Looking back now, you will find that many of them are unreasonable.

Xiao Yiming will surely climb to the top step by step, so all those who stand in front of him will definitely have no good results, no matter who they are.

In this life, I wish Sining to get along with the concubine... In fact, this kind of relationship like raising a son should be rare.

Zong Qihao paused, and confirmed again——

Sure enough, his harem is rather strange!