Kunning Palace
Night falls on the earth, the warm summer night breeze blows the curtains, and the heat in the palace melts. The candlelight beside a crane-shaped palace lantern flickers, flickering on and off, and projects several figures on the transparent water-like floor.
When Empress Song mentioned the Queen Mother, she immediately looked at Jia Heng and said softly: "The Queen Mother asked to see you by name earlier. You will also come to Changle Palace tomorrow."
Jia Heng said softly: "The Holy One has already told me before that I will go to the palace tomorrow."
Empress Song nodded, smiled, and said comfortingly: "You don't have to worry, the Queen Mother is kind and kind, you will know it when you see her."
The young man in front of me is not bad for the Feng family. It is said that it was because the Feng family came to Beijing and mentioned Jia Ziyu to the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother was not happy that he already had a family and was still worthy of Xianning. No more.
Princess Xianning blinked her eyes and laughed softly: "The relationship between Sir and the Queen Mother is closer than mine." After all, she is still a generation away from her aunt compared to the Queen Mother.
Jia Heng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He didn't know that Xianning was talking about the eldest princess of Jinyang. He glanced at Xianning, winked, and thought to himself, how could he say such nonsense? If this makes Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong suspicious, what can they do?
Empress Song felt a little funny when she saw the two people winking at each other. These little children were so in love with each other that they really looked at each other.
In the words of later generations, this means seeing the two young couples loving each other sweetly, with aunty smiles on their faces from time to time, and Empress Song is the aunt of Princess Xianning.
After listening to Jia Heng's remarks about leaving for Yangzhou in the near future, Princess Xianning said softly: "Sir, when are you leaving?
Jia Heng whispered: "Well, in the past few days, Jinyi Mansion has already prepared the carriages and horses, and will leave after explaining the affairs in Beijing."
Princess Xianning looked at Jia Heng with bright eyes and whispered: "When things go smoothly, sir, you have to write to me. Don't forget."
Apparently he was also worried that Jia Heng would leave him behind. Jia Heng agreed softly.
Xian Ning has become a little clingy now, or in other words, after falling in love with him, she wants to stay with him forever.
Concubine Duanrong glanced at the young couple who were talking in a low voice, her beautiful eyebrows were condensed, and she said softly: "Ziyu is going south to Yangzhou?" Jia Heng didn't want to talk in depth, so he casually changed the subject and said, "The errand assigned by the Holy Emperor is not Set off on the same day."
Concubine Duanrong thought for a while, looked at the young man in the python suit, and said, "That Ziyu must be careful when outside." This was probably the mother-in-law's concern for her son-in-law.
"I will remember your Majesty's teachings." Jia Heng thanked him quickly.
"Queen Mother, Concubine Mother, Fifth Sister." While several people were talking, suddenly, a child ran from a distance. It was the Eighth Prince Chen Ze. Accompanied by the inner prisoner, he came to the palace talking and laughing. , saluted Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong, then looked at Jia Heng who was sitting beside him, and said with a smile: "Fifth brother-in-law, you are here too."
"Ze'er." Concubine Duanrong said with a straight face and a frosty look on her face, "Nothing big or small."
Princess Xianning's face turned red with embarrassment. She came closer and pinched Chen Ze's ears. With a smile in her eyes, she said angrily: "You are so cowardly now that you even dare to make fun of your sister."
"Sister, please don't twist, oh, it hurts." Chen Ze cried out in pain, and turned to Queen Song, begging, "Queen Mother, save Ze'er."
In fact, not only Xianning but Chen Ze should call Empress Song their aunt. Compared with Concubine Duanrong's harsh treatment of her children, Empress Song was undoubtedly much gentler and more generous to her two nieces and nephews.
Empress Song smiled and said: "Xianning, stop bullying your brother, Ze'er, who did you hear the name you just called?" "The nun next to the concubine said it." Chen Ze sat down, approached Qianfan, and said Said Ruijue.
Under the slender eyebrows of Princess Duanrong, her bright eyes flickered, and a hint of coldness appeared. These palace people were so talkative that they started shouting even before she even curled up her horoscope.
Empress Song smiled sweetly and said, "You can't spread this randomly, it will be bad for your sister." Chen Ze nodded and said, "Mother, I understand."
Concubine Duanrong said: "Sister, this child is quite out of touch sometimes. It's time for him to study seriously for a few years." "I didn't do that before.
It means that he found a teacher for him. Who is he identified now? "Empress Song asked with gazing eyes.
"I've found it. It's Bachelor Lu Li, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He is very knowledgeable. Previously, I wanted to find Liu Yuzhong, the imperial wine sacrificer, but his studies were too rigid and rigid. Besides, he was old and lacked energy. Imperial College Secretary Ye Yanhong is also quite suitable, but His Majesty said no." Concubine Duanrong said softly, obviously very concerned about her son's education.
Jia Hengyuan was sitting at the lower end. Hearing this, he paused lightly with the teacup in his hand, ripples rippled in the tea, and his mind was inexplicably ups and downs.
Lu Li...How could the eighth prince's teacher be Lu Li?
However, if you think about it for a moment, it is normal. Lu Li was born as a scholar, studied in the Hanlin Academy for a long time, and his knowledge and literary talents are also very outstanding. It is reasonable and reasonable to serve as the teacher of a young prince in terms of status and knowledge.
Just such a person...
"What are you thinking about, sir? Are you so lost in thought?" Seeing Jia Heng stop drinking and thinking, Princess Xianning moved closer to her face and looked at the young man with a deep gaze opposite her.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's nothing, I remembered an old incident." He took a sip.
Although both the kings of Wei and Liang were descendants of the queen, and no matter how bad the king of Wei was, there was still the king of Liang. However, the eighth prince was very talented, so there was no guarantee that Lu Li would not burn the cold stove, and further observation was needed.
At this time, Princess Xianning did not doubt him, but looked at Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong, and said softly: "Mother, concubine, my brother asked me to teach him horse riding and archery last time. He said he was here. When the day gets older, I will lead my troops to conquer the Eastern Han Dynasty and share my father's worries."
Queen Song smiled and said, "Is there such a thing? Ze'er, do you want to be a general?"
Chen Ze's clear childish voice was a bit childish as he said, "Father is worried about the war and doesn't sleep well every day. When my son is older, he will definitely lead the troops to help my father go out to war."
Empress Song listened, gently pinched Chen Ze's cheek, looked at Concubine Duanrong, and said softly: "Sister, listen, it's really rare for Ze'er to have such filial piety at such an age."
Concubine Duanrong frowned and said softly: "He is still young and doesn't know that things outside are dangerous and difficult. We can wait until he is older to see more."
As a mother, I hope that my children can grow up healthily and happily, wielding swords and guns without any appearance.
Princess Xianning said in a clear voice: "It's good to read some military books since I was a child. I think my brother has started to look for some. He often pesters me and asks me to tell him my husband's Three Kingdoms dialect book."
Empress Song looked at Jia Heng, who was listening silently, and said with a smile: "If Ze'er wants to learn how to march and fight, you can learn from Zi Yu. Zi Yu, if you have time, you can also teach Ze'er military strategies."
Chen Ze looked at Jia Heng and said, "Brother-in-law is very famous in Henan. You need to teach me how to do it." Jia Heng responded quickly: "If the official duties are not heavy, I will do it."
Then, Jia Heng and Princess Xianning were talking in a low voice, listening to the two concubines discussing some family disputes, such as whose wife Gaoming had another child this year, and which clan's daughter married the son of which clan's honorary minister. , women like to talk about these things when they get together.
Jia Heng listened quietly and talked to Xian Ning in a low voice. Not long after, a voice from the inner prison came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty has arrived!" Everyone in the palace stopped talking and laughing one after another, got up and walked towards the outside of the palace to greet Chong Chong. Emperor Ping saluted.
Emperor Chongping strode over, looked at everyone, with a smile on his cold face, and said, "Everyone is exempt from courtesy."
After being greeted by Empress Song, she pulled Emperor Chongping to sit on the soft couch and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I will ask the palace servants to prepare meals." Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "It's quite hot today, to be honest. I don’t have much appetite either.”
After saying that, he looked at Jia Heng and asked softly: "Ziyu previously proposed to take advantage of the severe drought to build water conservancy projects. Now there are quite a few memorials from officials in the north to build water conservancy projects. I think there will be some good autumn grain harvests this year." Already."
Because Jia Heng was in the Central Plains, he built embankments and weirs in the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, and was successful in fighting floods and preparing for floods. In addition, Emperor Chongping had previously urged local officials to build water conservancy projects. Therefore, there is now a trend of building water conservancy projects among northern officials.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment, but seemed to stop talking.
Emperor Chongping smiled and said, "Ziyu has something to say.
Might as well speak out. "
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, I am afraid that local officials will use this to claim credit, build extensive construction projects, assign corvee labor, and make the people suffer from river work and make them complain more."
"Oh?" The smile on Emperor Chongping's face froze and he asked seriously, obviously a little puzzled by Jia Heng's "inconsistent" remarks. It was you who proposed the overhaul of water conservancy in the first place. For this reason, you were even featured in "Chen He Incident" "Shu", now it is said that river construction can make people suffer from corvee labor and cause resentment against them.
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, build water conservancy projects to prepare for droughts and floods. This is what your Majesty should do. If the superiors do something good, the subordinates must follow suit. Local officials attach great importance to farming and water conservancy, so they focus on political achievements." For this reason, many officials did not think carefully and carried out large-scale construction projects in their jurisdiction to spread the influence of the people. It may be that the local area was not suitable for digging diversion canals, but because of the officials' favor, the river corvee trend became more and more fierce. They assigned corvees and forcibly collected people's wealth. The people complained."
Emperor Chongping looked solemn when he heard this, thinking about a possibility.
It would be displeasing if others said this, but Jia Heng, a minister who once vigorously stated the necessity of water conservancy construction, and used the examples of the Central Plains and Jianghuai areas to prove the truth that "the prosperity of water conservancy will lead to the prosperity of crops".
So these words of "changing things" naturally caused the emperor to think deeply.
Jia Heng said: "That's why I believe that when the government allocates money and grain to build water conservancy projects, it should be reported to the Water Resources Supervisor of the Ministry of Industry. It is necessary for water conservancy officials to go to the local area for verification. At the same time, local supervisory officials should also inspect the construction of water conservancy projects." The pros and cons of dikes and weirs, and no corvee service can be assigned to the people, no forced collection of donations is allowed, and it is also included in the matters of the Metropolitan Procuratorate's inspection of local areas."
Before a large-scale project is launched, it is necessary to conduct evaluation and demonstration. However, for the sake of political performance, local officials in the North are likely to carry out duplication and ineffective construction in the local area, torment the people, and borrow money... Well, this is not available at this time. model.
This is what officials from Binghuang Lao School said, and the reason for resting with the people and doing light work and low taxes. If you don't mess around and make the best use of the situation, the system can run automatically and smoothly. If you have high ambitions, it will be easy to be unrealistic.
As long as the people are not bothered, the people themselves will develop, and whether it is a small peasant economy or a commodity economy, they will gradually prosper. This is the so-called free economic theory.
Many times, it is really better to be still than to move.
In this way, some greedy officials who pretended that the imperial court valued farming and water conservancy and plundered property would have doubts in their minds, leaving only capable ministers and officials who were willing to do practical things.
Precisely because it will die if it is controlled and it will be chaotic if it is released, it is necessary to control the temperature.
Emperor Chongping was thoughtful, his eyes were bright, and he nodded and said: "What Zi Yu said is true. The king of Chu was so thin that he starved to death in the palace. The local officials' overhaul of water conservancy was ineffective, and instead made the people suffer. , I will ask the cabinet to issue an order to the local government tomorrow to act with caution. After Ziyu returns, he will also draw up a statement and submit it to the military aircraft office."
Jia Heng said softly: "I obey your order."
Under the willow-leaf slender eyebrows, Empress Song's beautiful eyes flashed, and she said angrily: "Your Majesty, while you are talking, why are you discussing government affairs again?"
This Jia Ziyu had promised her just now, but now she was discussing government affairs with His Majesty.
Concubine Duanrong also stared at the boy in the python suit. She looked at the young man who was calm and composed. There was also a hint of admiration in her eyes. She was obviously one year younger than Xianning, but she was the minister who managed the country and brought peace to the country. .
Princess Xianning also looked at Jia Heng with a pair of clear eyes that were as clear as water, and her eyes seemed to be shining like paint.
"Your Majesty, dinner is ready." At this time, a female official approached the palace and reported. Empress Song smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."
Everyone sat down and started eating.
Jia Heng accompanied the three emperors and concubines to dinner, and then left Kunning Palace. He and Princess Xianning walked along the corridor of the palace, towards the garden, and to the covered bridge.
The summer night is hot, the moon is bright in the sky, a few stars are hanging in the sky, blinking, the cool breeze blows on the face, and the octagonal palace lanterns create circles of magnificent light and shadow under the interplay of light and dark.
"Sir, why don't Sister Chanyue and I go to Yangzhou? It won't delay your husband's business." Princess Xianning held Jia Heng's hand and said softly.
Jia Heng said: "Over there in Yangzhou, the situation is getting more and more serious. Didn't we agree?"
Princess Xianning pursed her lips and said, "But Mr. Lin said before that Miss Lin can also go to Yangzhou." Jia Heng said warmly: "She is reunited with her father to talk about her family relationship."
"Then I am going hand in hand with you, sir, and we are in the same boat." Princess Xianning said in a low voice with her clear eyes as bright as flying stars under her thin eyebrows.
Jia Heng: "....
For a moment, he felt that what Xian Ning said made sense, but he had nothing to say to refute.
Seeing Jia Heng's silence, Princess Xianning still seemed to refuse. She sighed softly and said, "Okay, since you find it inconvenient, sir, I won't go now."
Jia Heng held Xianning's hand and whispered: "Xianning, it's no inconvenience. It won't be too late for you to follow Jinyang when things are calmer over there. They first poisoned Uncle Lin and set fire to him." In the Salt Transport Department, it can be seen that in order to protect themselves, they are almost crazy and lawless."
Hearing this, Princess Xianning turned around her pretty face and said worriedly: "Then sir, you should be careful when you go south."
Jia Heng nodded, spoke softly, looked around, and whispered: By the way, there is something else I want to tell you. Do you know Princess Chen Xiao, the daughter of King Zhou? "
"This... you mean the fourth sister?" Princess Xianning said in surprise, suddenly realizing something was wrong, she quickly lowered her voice and said: "The fourth sister disappeared a few years ago, why did the husband suddenly mention her? Already?"
For a moment, I didn't expect Chen Xiao to show up at Jia Heng's mansion. I thought it was Jia Heng who, as the governor of Jinyi Mansion, found out Chen Xiao's whereabouts.
Jia Heng whispered in his ear: "Xianning, she is in my house now and has joined the White Lotus Sect. After you celebrate the birth of the Queen Mother tomorrow, come with me to see her."
Princess Xianning's clear eyes were inexplicably shocked, and her heart was in disbelief, and she said: "After the fourth sister disappeared...how could she join the rebel party?"
Jia Heng said softly: "I don't know either. When you come with me to see her tomorrow, you can ask her the whole story and persuade her to go to your aunt's house. By the way, she has been living in the world all these years and has some extreme ideas."
Princess Qingyu of Xianning paused for a moment and whispered, "Don't worry, sir. I'll go to the house to persuade her. It's been many years since I've seen her."
Thinking of that sister with heroic appearance and refined martial arts skills, Princess Xianning also missed her a little. Jia Heng talked to Princess Xianning and said, "Xianning, I'll go back first."
"Then let me see you off, sir." Princess Xianning said softly, because she still had to worry about some influence in the palace. "Yeah." Jia Heng said, and left the palace as Princess Xianning saw her off.
-...
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The night is like water, and the moonlight is like a mist covering the vast Chu Palace with deep gardens. The lanterns on the corridors and pavilions sway gently in the wind. From time to time, a few maids hold lanterns and whisper while walking And passed.
In the back room, in the side room, there is a beauty in a light yellow low-cut long dress. She has a graceful figure, a beautiful neck and a large area of snow on her chest. Her skin is as white as jade, but the bronze mirror on the dressing table reflects her slightly temperament. She has somewhat cold and sharp eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and she is holding a comb in her delicate hand.
Princess Chu Zhen Qing clenched her comb, and there was a trace of anger in her narrow and clear phoenix eyes. It had been a few days, but the strange feeling in her private parts had not gone away. Moreover, she had a nightmare yesterday, and she was ravaged and fucked by that bastard in every possible way. , I wish I could trample her to death.
"Princess, the hot water is ready." At this time, the personal female officer entered the side room and said to Zhen Qing.
Maybe it's because the weather has been hot recently and her body is prone to sweating. The princess has to take several baths in the past two days.
Zhen Qing snorted coldly, put down the peach wood comb in her hand with her gorgeous jade face that was a bit mean, and gently swayed with the floral diamond hairpin pinned between the lush cloud bun. Standing up from the seat, two millstone shadows suddenly appeared on the soft mattress.
I can't do it without a cushion. The snow has been snowing like clouds for the past two days, and it's burning and painful.
Zhen Qing took off her gauze clothes and gently lifted her feet, which were as tender as bamboo shoots. Her big toes, which had been coated with impatiens juice, were straightened, and there were tiny lines on the soles of her feet and on the forefoot.
, stepped on the bamboo couch and entered the bathtub water. Amidst the steaming heat, a mutton-fat white jade body sank into the water.
Zhen Qing held Xue Jian with both hands, gently scrubbing the sweat from her neck.
The princess has been bathing frequently in the past few days. It seems that this constant bathing can wash away the shame and humiliation that filled her nose that day and was like the bumps and waves in the waves.
Zhen Qing pursed her pink lips and gently stroked the snow grinder in the warm water. After two days, the originally burning pain had been relieved by 70% to 80%, but there was still a slight pain. She spat in a low voice, " asshole!"
While scrubbing gently, his face suddenly froze. I don't know why, maybe because of the vague pain, maybe because of the gentleness of the warm water brushing through the grinding holes, an indescribable meaning suddenly surged deep in my heart, well, It's more like the humiliation and strangeness of being conquered and abused.
Zhen Qing frowned her beautiful eyebrows, her eyes were distracted for a moment, and she quickly suppressed the strangeness in her heart, cursing someone in her heart with vicious words. How could that bastard be so unscrupulous in such an unclean place?
At this moment, the voice of a female official came from outside: "Princess, the prince is back." Since Empress Dowager Feng will give birth tomorrow, King Chu naturally returned home.
Zhen Qing couldn't help but be startled, and her restless index finger was retracted as if it was electrocuted. Her cold and beautiful face showed shame, anger, and a hatred of blaming someone.
She was really stunned and she blamed that bastard!
What that bastard did to her, she must pay back twice as much!
