Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
Just when Lin Ruhai looked shocked and confused, the maid came in and announced, "Miss Lin is here."
Not long after, Daiyu was dressed in a double-breasted jacket embroidered with light blue background, folded branches and white plums embroidered with light gold piping. She wore a white cross-collar middle coat, a moxa green long skirt that became more and more delicate, and a beautiful cloud bun. Accompanied by him, he came to the hall and said in a charming voice to Lin Ruhai, "Daddy."
In the past few days, after Jia Heng was busy with official duties, he frequently went to Daiyu's place to sit with her. Daiyu's brows and eyes were obviously no longer gloomy in the past, but her bright face became more and more rosy. There is a charming charm as light as clouds in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes.
Lin Ruhai didn't think it was strange and said with a smile: "Yu'er, here you go."
Daiyu nodded, walked to Jia Heng's side, sat down naturally, her bright eyes full of concern, and asked, "When did dad arrive?"
Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "I just arrived a little while ago, and I talked to your brother Heng for a while. I will stay in Aurous Hill for a while longer."
Jia Heng looked at Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, come over for dinner."
"Yes." Daiyu responded softly, her soft eyes under her smoky eyebrows mixed with shame and joy.
It can be said that Jia Heng's fragmented time together mode during this period, at high frequency, completely cleared away Daiyu's worries.
After a while, the maid served various dishes, and Zijuan, Xiren, and Qingwen were waiting on them.
Jia Heng helped Daiyu pick up the vegetables, looked at the increasingly charming girl, and said, "Sister Lin, eat more of this, you will grow faster."
In fact, Daiyu has grown much taller and more beautiful in the past two years.
"Brother Heng, you should eat too." Daiyu said shyly, and also picked up a chopstick of sweet and sour carp and put it in Jiaheng's bowl. Yurong was filled with joy.
In front of her father, Brother Heng was so intimate with her?
Lin Ruhai looked at the young couple, feeling very pleased and said with a smile: "I feel relieved that you can respect each other so much."
Ever since Jia Heng "shamelessly" held Daiyu's hand and proposed marriage to Lin Ruhai, Lin Ruhai was actually worried that his daughter would be wronged. Later, when the emperor granted her a marriage, her worries became more intense.
But the two are in love with each other and can't stand in their way.
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Uncle, when I went south this time, because I was busy with official duties, I neglected Sister Lin."
Daiyu's cheeks were slightly red, her starry eyes lowered slightly, and she said softly: "No."
Lin Ruhai said: "Yu'er, your brother Heng is in charge of major matters related to the country, so you should be more considerate."
Daiyu said softly: "Yes."
Daddy's words make it sound like she is clinging to Brother Heng all day long. Well, Brother Heng has been clinging to her during this time, huh...
The two of them and Lin Ruhai finished eating and sat down to drink tea again.
Lin Ruhai said: "Zi Yu, about the royal silver number, you should go to the eldest princess's house in Jinyang and tell her."
The young man in front of him married the little princess, and his relationship with the eldest princess was closer, making it easier to deal with.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Don't worry, uncle, I'll go talk to Her Royal Highness the Princess."
She was pregnant in Jinyang, so it was obviously not suitable to receive guests and attend to matters. He would go to Jinyang's house later to talk about it, and by the way, he would also finalize the matter of going north.
After Lin Ruhai left, Jia Heng put down the tea cup, stared at the shy girl with a shy face and a mixture of anger and joy in her starry eyes, and whispered: "Sister Lin, let's go."
Daiyu blinked her starry eyes and asked, "Brother Heng, where are you waiting?"
"I'm going to Kaifeng Mansion recently to escort the Queen south." Jia Heng smiled, took the girl's hand and said, "I'll go there on a fast horse this time. My sister is playing with her sisters at home."
Hearing this, Daiyu said in a concerned tone: "Brother Heng, please be careful."
Jia Heng whispered: "Follow your sister to the back house to take a nap."
The two of them talked and returned to their residence in the back house.
Just as I sat down, an astonishing voice came from the courtyard: "Miss, Miss Bao is here."
Dai Yufang was startled. Before she could react, she saw a beautiful girl with a round fragrant fan in her hand walking towards her, followed by Ying'er.
The girl is wearing a light yellow double-breasted gown with pink flowers, a tea-white tube top, and a long skirt embroidered with orchids. She has a smile on her face. Ying'er behind her is holding a brocade box with red cloth in her hand. Crystal jewelry sparkles.
Daiyu tilted her head slightly and said, "Sister Bao, what is this?"
"Zi'er, sister Qin got a batch of crystal jewelry from the boat. It seemed to be in good condition, so she sent it to you." Baochai said with a chuckle, looking at the boy in the python suit, his eyes between the boy and the boy. The girl's hand lingered for a moment, and she said in surprise: "Brother Heng is here too."
Sure enough, he has been here at Yan'er these past few days and has not gone to her place.
Jia Heng said: "Well, I'll come over and sleep with Sister Lin."
Daiyu: "???"
The girl's starry eyes blinked and she didn't react for a moment.
Brother Heng, do you know what you are talking about?
Her jade face turned red and she said in embarrassment, "Brother Heng, what are you talking about?"
As he said that, he tried to break free from Jia Heng's hand, his cheeks turned red, and he said angrily: "Sister Bao, don't listen to his nonsense. Daddy just came over, and Brother Heng sent me back."
Jia Heng took Daiyu's hand and said softly: "Sister Lin, since we are a family, there is nothing to be shy about. Your sister Bao is not an outsider."
A blush as red as rouge gradually appeared on Baochai's face, which was as greasy as pear blossoms. She was so shy that she said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, then you and Zhu'er take a nap, I'll go back first."
Just as he turned around, he felt his hand being held, and a feeling of warmth and strength came over him.
Jia Heng said: "Sister Xue, I am going to Kaifeng Mansion in the next two days, and I was just about to talk to you. Let's sit down and talk together."
Chai Debbie Wing, let’s start with both of them holding hands.
Hearing this, Baochai turned around her plump and soft body, a slight blush appeared on her plump and snowy face, and her pink lips were slightly opened: "Brother Heng, didn't you come to Jiangnan to implement the New Deal?"
"The Queen is going south to visit relatives. I will go to Kaifeng Mansion to pick up Feng Jia. Besides, I have other things to do." Jia Heng said warmly.
With that said, he took Baochai's soft little hand and Daiyu's slender catkin, and sat on the bed.
Perhaps because Baochai was by her side, Daiyu's fair and bright cheeks were as red as fire, as gorgeous as clouds, her head was slightly lowered, and her heart was filled with embarrassment.
Brother Heng, isn't this hugging you from left to right? Could she not indulge him too much?
Jia Heng said: "Sister Lin, after I go there this time, you and your sister Bao should keep in touch and help each other."
Daiyu and Baochai: "..."
Baochai's moist apricot eyes under her emerald eyebrows were thoughtful, and she smiled slightly and said, "Brother Heng, don't worry, I will take good care of Sister Lin."
Brother Heng hoped that she and Mei'er could live in peace. If there was ever any intention of competing, she and Mei'er had long since disappeared after that big wedding.
Daiyu's eyebrows drooped slightly, she pursed her glossy pink lips, and said softly: "Sister Bao and I are usually pretty good."
Is Brother Heng saying that she cannot tolerate others? Otherwise, why not warn Sister Bao?
Jia Heng said sternly: "Well, that's good. I don't usually spend much time at home. Really, you sisters have more fun together."
After that, he put their hands together and said warmly: "It's nap time. Let's take a nap. I have something to do in the afternoon."
Baochai's delicate body was limp and she said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng."
"What's wrong?" Jia Heng asked in surprise.
Baochai looked at Daiyu, who was also as red as rouge and was too embarrassed to speak, and said, "This bed can't sleep three people."
"It can accommodate three people." Jia Heng said softly, "Just hold me."
Today was an ice-breaking trip, so he didn't have anything else on his mind.
Eat the meal one bite at a time.
Hearing this, Baochai calmed down and endured the shame in her heart, unable to refuse politely.
In other words, this girl knew not to spoil the man's interest.
In front of Baochai, Daiyu, who was originally quite a character, could not show her usual ease with Jia Heng. She was just hugged by Jia Heng, her head lowered and her heart beating thumpingly.
Wait a moment, Brother Heng won't serve Sister Bao in front of her, right?
When she thought of some embarrassing scene, Daiyu felt ashamed and couldn't help herself.
Jia Heng took off his shoes and socks, hugged Chai and Dai, and the two of them lay on the bed covered with soft mattresses. At this moment, both of them pressed their heads on Jia Heng's arms, not daring to look at each other's faces.
Jia Heng said: "Actually, something happened in Xining. When I go to Kaifeng this time, I may go back to Beijing first."
Baochai frowned and said worriedly: "Brother Heng, wasn't there a lot of good news in the northwest recently?"
"That was the enemy's trick to lure troops. That is, Nan'an and others were eager to make meritorious deeds. Now they have been cut off, the food route is cut off, and the army in the west is in danger." Jia Heng sighed and said in a low voice.
Daiyu couldn't bear the shame, her starry eyes were like black grapes, as smart as a clear spring, and said: "Brother Heng still wants to fight?"
"Not necessarily." Jia Heng said softly, reaching into his clothes.
Daiyu's delicate body trembled, her nose snorted slightly, but she didn't dare to say anything, but her delicate body was soft and soft.
Baochai's moist apricot eyes were slightly moist, and her heart was shy. She bit her pink lips with her white teeth and said softly: "Brother Heng, take a rest."
Jia Heng said: "Well, sleep, sleep."
Saying that, he closed his eyes.
But Baochai and Daiyu looked at each other at this moment, their eyes met in the air, as if they were electrocuted. They were so ashamed that they quickly lowered their gazes, squeezed their heads into Jia Heng's arms, and closed their eyes.
As time passed, the news that the Nan'an army in the north was cut off from its rear route in the northwest was gradually coming through special channels.
Scholars in Jiangnan were talking about it for a while. The New Deal, which was originally implemented smoothly, seemed to have another setback.
…
…
Shenjing City, Palace Garden, Funing Palace
It was already nightfall, and the octagonal palace lanterns on the eaves of the corridor had already lit up with orange or vermilion light. The hanging tassels were swaying in the wind, and the curtains on the pillars in the hall were gently stroking, while a gloomy and gloomy atmosphere The breath is still lingering.
Emperor Chongping's cheeks were sunken, his face was as golden as paper, and his eyes were tightly closed. It was not clear whether it was the smell of herbal medicine that filled his nose that was choking his nose, or whether his lungs were uncomfortable. Emperor Chongping coughed several times.
Concubine Duanrong came forward with a bowl of soup and medicine. The ice beauty, who was as beautiful as cold jade, said softly: "Your Majesty, it's time to drink the medicine."
Emperor Chongping held up his arms and asked in a hoarse voice: "Concubine Rong, when is it?"
In the afternoon, the emperor drank the boiled decoction and fell into a deep sleep again, only to wake up at this moment.
Concubine Duanrong walked to the embroidered pier in front of the bed and sat down, saying, "Your Majesty, it's the time of Youzheng."
Emperor Chongping couldn't wait to ask: "Where is Ziyu?"
Concubine Duanrong: "..."
After calming down, his slender voice was soft and melodious: "Your Majesty has forgotten that he just issued a decree at noon to summon Ziyu back to the capital, and he is still on his way back to the capital."
After hearing this, Emperor Chongping lay down on the pillow again, staring blankly at the curtains on the bed, and suddenly sighed in a low voice: "Why should I use Nan'an? I regret not listening to Ziyu's words."
He closed his eyes slightly, and under the light of the lamp, two tears fell silently from the corners of his eyes.
One hundred thousand troops, one hundred thousand troops, the entire army was annihilated. This was the national tragedy of the Chongping Dynasty!
War!
In front of the ministers, the emperor did not say this, or he was in extreme grief and did not even react.
For example, if a loved one dies unexpectedly, some people may be shocked to hear the bad news and may not be able to cry, but after a while, they suddenly feel sad and cry heartbreakingly.
Moreover, some words of regret should not be said in front of the ministers.
Because this time was different from the civil unrest in the Central Plains. It was a misunderstanding of false positive news. It was not caused by Emperor Chongping himself, and it did not cause a catastrophe. It was just the anger after being fooled.
But this time it's...
Emperor Chongping was completely autonomous and made independent decisions. He resisted Jia Heng's many requests for war and insisted on using Nan'an County Prince and other founding military figures.
However, Emperor Chongping insisted on going his own way and sent Jia Heng to the south to supervise the new policy. It can be said that this was a complete mistake.
There is another problem. The identities of the two are no longer what they used to be when the people in the Central Plains were in chaos. At that time, the emperor and his ministers met, and there were still seven truths and three falsehoods in Emperor Chongping's words. While they were stepping down, they also had some tricks to win people's hearts. .
Now that Jia Heng is the son-in-law and the emperor is the father-in-law, how could he say such regretful words in front of all the ministers?
But the more this happened, the more endless regrets appeared in his heart. The self-blame and shame of the annihilation of a hundred thousand troops eroded his heart like a poisonous snake.
Seeing Emperor Chongping's sad face and even sadder voice, especially when she caught the tears in the corners of her eyes, Concubine Duanrong's heart skipped a beat, she pursed her pink lips, feeling a little sad, and her nose felt sore.
Your Majesty... Your Majesty actually cried? Since Your Majesty came to the throne, has anything happened like this?
This was when Emperor Chongping came to the throne, no, or rather since King Yong's retreat, no matter how difficult the situation was, not a single tear was shed.
However, one hundred thousand troops were buried in the northwest, and in the face of such a tragic defeat that could be recorded in the history books...
Coupled with the recent victory in Northern Xinjiang that made the entire Han Dynasty burst into joy, it was difficult for the emperor to suppress his emotions. For a time, no one was around, and he felt sad and shed silent tears.
The beauty's cold voice was filled with tears, and she choked with sobs and said, "Your Majesty, let's take some medicinal porridge first. The imperial doctor said that Your Majesty really...can't worry about state affairs anymore."
"Concubine Rong, I know the bones of my body." Emperor Chongping turned away and said in a hoarse voice.
Concubine Duanrong pretended not to see the tears just now, and advised softly: "Your Majesty, this has happened since last year. Not long ago, she vomited blood again. No matter how young and strong she is in her twenties, she can't bear it." Living like this is a waste of money, and your Majesty has to take care of state affairs, and your body can't handle such a waste."
When Emperor Chongping heard this, his face turned gloomy and he was speechless for a moment.
Vomiting blood is a life-sucking thing, and I'm afraid he only has about ten years to live.
But enough is enough!
It took the Han Dynasty five years to level Liaodong, and it took five years to achieve peace. His body could no longer be messed with.
But with an army of 100,000, 60,000 elite troops from the capital, and all the wealth that Chongping had managed to accumulate, it was suddenly lost in the northwest. It hurt! He hurts!
Why did he believe the lies of Nan An, Liu Fang and other idiots in the first place?
It can be said that the emperor felt as if he had been deceived by telecommunications. He was filled with anger towards Nan'an and others, the humiliation that his own IQ had been toyed with, and unspeakable regret after the loss. Hard to let go?
Emperor Chongping closed his eyes tightly, feeling a surge of sadness and regret in his heart, as if darkness had submerged himself.
While the two emperors and concubines were talking, the outer eunuch said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is here."
In fact, Empress Dowager Feng rarely came to Funing Palace where Concubine Duanrong lived, or she didn't like the Song sisters, who were so coquettish.
"I have met the Queen Mother." Concubine Duanrong quickly put down the jade bowl, walked a few steps quickly, and saluted Queen Mother Feng.
Empress Dowager Feng nodded and said with a serious smile: "Concubine Rong, please get up."
Imperial Concubine Duanrong responded softly and stood with her hands down, as submissive as a palace maid.
Empress Dowager Feng turned to look at Emperor Chongping who was sitting on the bed and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
"Queen Mother." Emperor Chongping opened his eyes, looked at Empress Dowager Feng, and then closed his eyes.
Empress Dowager Feng sat down, sighed, and said: "Empress Mother knows the pain in your heart. Back then, your father was defeated in Liaodong with an army of 200,000, and he didn't even think about food or food. Such a wise and mighty emperor, but he never recovered from his fall. "
Emperor Chongping was speechless for a moment and said in a low voice: "Mother, my son and ministers don't know how to do it, and my children and ministers don't know how to do it."
Empress Dowager Feng took Emperor Chongping's hand and felt the cold touch of her palm. She was shocked. This summer... why is it so cold?
After calming down, he comforted and said: "Don't say that victory or defeat is a common thing for military strategists. Let's say that as the king of a country, it is normal to have gains and losses since the beginning of governance. Before the defeat in the northwest, didn't the imperial court win a battle? ? Even the fierce Jurchens were defeated. As long as the court uses the right people, it is impossible to win this battle? "
Emperor Chongping sighed heavily.
But he just used the wrong person and left the right person unused! He is self-willed and complacent, and has become the laughing stock of the world...
No, these are all Nan'an men, who have harmed the army and the country!
At this moment, Concubine Duanrong picked up the porridge bowl and said softly: "Your Majesty, please drink the medicinal porridge first."
Empress Dowager Feng suddenly said: "Give Concubine Rong to me."
Concubine Duanrong was stunned for a moment. Facing the sharp gaze of the silver-haired old lady, she handed the porridge bowl covered with a veil to Queen Mother Feng and said, "Mother, be careful of the porridge being hot."
Empress Dowager Feng took the soup bowl. The flames of the palace lanterns and candles seemed to make the old lady, who was fierce in the past, much more kind. She took the soup bowl and stirred it gently with the spoon, releasing the steaming heat of the Chinese medicine porridge.
"The imperial doctor said that you were very deficient and prescribed some blood-tonifying medicines such as ginseng and deer antler. How old are you? You only take these great tonics? Your father didn't take these things in the past few years. ." Empress Dowager Feng handed it to her.
"Mother." Emperor Chongping raised his eyes to look at Queen Mother Feng and said, "Mother is worried."
"Alas." Empress Dowager Feng handed it over and served Emperor Chongping while eating the medicinal porridge. She looked at the white hair on the temples and sighed, "You are almost half a hundred years old. Since you have found someone for Xianning, A son-in-law who knows military affairs should use it diligently. If you don't entrust military affairs to him, who will you entrust to?"
In fact, I know the reason in my heart. It is still a matter of checks and balances and precautions. One family cannot dominate.
After Emperor Chongping ate the medicinal porridge, his whole body became warmer, his eyes flashed, and he whispered: "Mother."
"Just listen to what some civil servants say, don't take it seriously. You married your daughter and niece to him. As long as he is still a human being, how can he have other thoughts?" Empress Dowager Feng's eyes were as sharp as a sword and said.
Emperor Chongping's expression suddenly changed, he was startled, and whispered: "Mother, my son and I have never thought of this."
When had he ever been suspicious of Zi Yu? It was he who singled out Ziyu and married his daughter and niece to him, but he had never thought about it.
Empress Dowager Feng looked at her son, with a complex look in her old eyes, and sighed: "Although the empress does not know how to control people, she probably knows what the emperor's heart is thinking. Do you know the great ancestor at the time of the founding of the country?"
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, his eyes were in a daze, and he could not help but think about the founding of the country.
"Taizu has granted the title of four county kings. At the beginning, King Beijing had the greatest contribution. He still allowed King Beijing and several other county kings to command the army. In the past dynasties, there were no kings with different surnames." Empress Dowager Feng said softly. said.
When Emperor Chongping heard this, he was shocked and said: "Mother, queen, sons and ministers... have no such intention, it is also for the sake of the Han Dynasty."
How could he express his suspicions and defensive thoughts?
"Your Majesty, the human heart is made of flesh. How can people not know about your thoughts, whether it is preservation or prevention?" Empress Dowager Feng gently scooped out the bowl of porridge and said: "When the heart is cold, if you think about it again, it will warm up." Difficult."
Once the seeds of suspicion are planted and people notice it, it will be nothing but something will happen. This is the cause of the disaster.
"Fortunately, you are still his father-in-law, and your daughter and niece are married. He also took care of the errand to offend people in the south for you." Seeing the change in Emperor Chongping's expression, Queen Mother Feng sighed and said.
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, and then said slowly: "Mother, this is my son...my son is in charge."
He did not listen to the slanderous words of those civil servants during the previous Northwest War and continued to use Ziyu. What could he do? After a great victory, the prestige is grand, so what?
Zi Yu was able to bring up the four new policies of the reform strategy, such as dividing a small family into an entire household, which would offend the gentry all over the world. Zi Yu was not afraid of complaints and slander, but in his heart he was worried that Zi Yu's achievements would be too great and one day it would be difficult to control the situation?
As long as he lives for one day, how can Zi Yu have any other thoughts?
Wait until after the great victory, and then use other methods to suppress it. In this way, how can there be a great defeat in the northwest?
This deepest thought was going back and forth in the heart of the middle-aged emperor, and his eyes were sometimes gloomy and sometimes relieved.
Fortunately, there is still a chance to save everything!
Ziyu is his son-in-law!
At this moment, Concubine Duanrong was already far away from her mother and son, standing under the red beams. Against the glow of the candlelight dimmed by the lanterns in Qingluan Palace, the beauty's cold and graceful jade face was hidden in the darkness, her hands Holding the handkerchief, a turbulent wave was already stirring in his heart.
She had been in the harem for a long time, but she didn't know the schemes of the former dynasty.
Your Majesty insists on using Nan'an. Is this to guard against Ziyu? Or should we say preservation?
And the Queen Mother didn't reject her? What exactly does it mean?
Could it be that she was using her mouth to influence Xianning so that Ziyu could serve him well?
It can be said that the biological mother of the eldest princess of Jinyang, Queen Mother Feng, became the queen mother from an ordinary palace maid. She had a superior mind and was not inferior to Emperor Chongping.
Concubine Duanrong's face changed. This beauty who was obsessed with dancing and had been under the protection of Empress Song and didn't use her brain much in the palace felt like her CPU was burning.
At this time, the palace people reported: "Your Majesty, empress, His Royal Highness the King of Wei and the Prince Consort of Nanyang are outside the palace asking for your Majesty's well-being."
In fact, when Emperor Chongping vomited blood and fainted at noon, King Wei asked Sheng'an and wanted to go to the palace to serve the decoction. However, Empress Dowager Feng blocked him and asked him to go back to the Wucheng Army and Horse Department to run errands.
Emperor Chongping and Empress Dowager Feng did not continue to discuss the matter.
Empress Dowager Feng looked calm and called out as if nothing had happened: "Concubine Rong, please announce that King Wei has entered the palace."
Concubine Duanrong responded, not daring to say another word, and then called King Wei to enter the palace.
Emperor Chongping had an idea in mind at this moment. He finished eating the medicinal porridge and looked silent.
After a while, King Wei, the Prince Consort of Nanyang, and the Princess of Nanyang, led by several internal eunuchs, entered the Funing Palace and faced the middle-aged emperor sitting on the bed.
"My son has met my father." Several people said one after another.
Emperor Chongping said: "Sit down."
"Thank you, father." King Wei and Princess Nanyang and his wife stood up and greeted Emperor Chongping.
(End of chapter)
