On this day, there was some excitement in the Yi Zi Jing Jian Palace, which had always been quiet. Although it was not a big fight, there were many more carriages and horses than usual, and they were all visiting officials.
There was no other reason than that the Crown Prince of Chu, who had been training in the army, returned to Kyoto.
Xiao Jinghong walked out of the palace and looked at the guests arriving at the palace opposite, with a burst of sarcasm in his heart. "There were not so many officials who came to visit me when I was assassinated. It's true that there are many discerning people."
Meng Duanzhang was silent on the side. He didn't know how to answer these words. Prince Zhao's Mansion is far away from the court. Even though Prince Zhao is His Majesty's biological brother, no one will cling to him without real power. The officials in the DPRK are all extremely shrewd people. How could they not understand?
"When Jing Hao comes back, I should go and check it out." Xiao Jinghong said.
Meng Duanzhang reminded him softly: "Your Majesty, you still need to pretend your injuries look more serious."
Jamel Xiao smiled and tightened his gray velvet robe. "After so many days of cultivation, it's time for the dead to be fed. My minor injuries are not worth mentioning."
Xiao Jinghong walked towards the palace opposite, which he had not entered for a long time. Meng Duanzhang naturally followed behind.
In the back garden of the Prince's Palace, a woman was holding an ancient book in her hand. The lady is still wearing a plain white velvet robe, but the ancient books have been changed. In a few days, she could memorize the contents of a book.
A maid named Xiao Nu was waiting on the side. When she saw the lady walk into the pavilion and sit down, putting down the ancient book, the little slave dared to step forward. Madam doesn't like to be disturbed when she is studying. Although Madam has a gentle temperament, she never punishes her servants and never uses harsh words. But Xiaonu knew that Madam didn’t want to be pleased by anyone, especially those in the palace.
The little slave walked up behind the lady and gently rubbed her temples to soothe her.
Madam is a beautiful woman, she is still beautiful now, let alone when she was young. In Xiaonu's eyes, the lady is like a person who stepped out of the painting. She has a face as white as jade, and the eyes under her eyebrows seem to be able to see through people's hearts at a glance. Her lips are light red, like a girl's. Her slim figure is slightly fat, but it does not ruin the overall posture.
Every aspect of the lady is as if the painter had thought for a long time and then carefully sketched it out. Only in this way can such a beautiful woman be born.
"Madam, the Crown Prince is back in Beijing today. If Madam doesn't take a rest and see His Highness the Crown Prince later, I'm afraid His Highness will blame Xiao Nu for not taking good care of Madam." Xiao Nu said.
After hearing this, the lady finally closed the ancient book. "Tell me again the interesting things you told me a few days ago. I can memorize even the most difficult poems in the book, but I have forgotten these interesting things."
Xiaonu smiled and said: "Madam, she was thinking about the interesting things in the book and forgot about the interesting things in the world." As a maid, she knew that the one she loved most was His Royal Highness. For this reason, always pay attention to things outside the window that you don't want to deal with, otherwise there seems to be no topic between the two of them.
Madam is extremely intelligent and well-read, and can pick up any topic that comes to her mind. "These interesting things are not interesting at all. Hao'er has always felt that I am too boring in the palace all day long in Kyoto, so I don't want him to worry."
The little slave smiled lightly, thinking that the madam really cared about His Royal Highness. Suddenly, she felt that what she said was wrong. How could a mother not care about her children?
"But the kid named Yu Zhi is quite interesting."
"Yeah, the young master of the Bai family identified Yu Zhi as the gangster who kidnapped him. This person is quite strange to say."
"Oh? What's the strange method?" the lady then asked.
Seeing his wife's interest, the little slave continued: "I heard that Yu Zhi is the nephew of Master Li. Master Li was a scholar in the country at that time. He was very knowledgeable and had many literary talents under his sect, but this nephew... was... After entering Taoist Academy, he failed the college entrance examination for three consecutive years and stayed in Tiandao Mountain for six years. He was also called the shame of Taoist Academy. This has also damaged Master Li's reputation."
"Are you talking about Master Li or Li Qingru?" Madam asked in surprise.
Xiaonu responded: "Yes. Master Li has been serving as the superintendent of the Taoist Academy outside Kyoto these years."
"That's Qingru's nephew, he should be the son of an old friend. If I have the chance, I will meet Yu... and know." Since her own child died at birth more than ten years ago, she has had many thoughts about her old friend's nephew. expressed some concerns. Seeing that they are similar in age, it reminds me that if their children were okay, they would be so handsome.
"Mother."
From a distance, I heard a hearty voice coming from outside the courtyard wall. I saw a young man wearing black tiger-patterned armor appear from behind the rockery. The young man was extremely handsome, but there was a hint of sinisterness hidden deep in his pretty eyes. His skin is slightly dark, the result of years of training in the military camp.
He is Xiang Jinghao, the eldest son of the King of Chu.
Seeing the young man's figure, the lady's eyes became softer. "The military is very dangerous. If your father hadn't insisted that you go to the military to train, I wouldn't have been willing." The lady held Xiang Jinghao's rough hands and said distressedly.
Xiang Jinghao smiled and comforted: "Mother, look at me, I'm fine, don't worry. Besides, how can your child be a coward? Only by making contributions to the country and opening up new territories can you show your true qualities as a man."
Madam nodded, she only hoped that Xiang Jinghao would be safe. "Now that you're back, stay in Kyoto for a while longer and let my mother take good care of you."
"I will stay until the spring of next year when I come back this time. His Majesty asked me to take over the reception of the Steppe Wolf Court's delegation. I think it will take some time." Xiang Jinghao said.
"You have to be more careful about these things. There are more dangers in Kyoto than in the army. Your Majesty has a purpose in asking you to start the reception. Don't let Your Majesty down." Madam reminded. The Chu Dynasty was open to political affairs and did not object to women discussing politics. When she was young, she had been in Da Chu's court, and she knew that the court was treacherous and dangerous. "Today, I heard the sound of many cars and horses outside. They must be visiting you. You go to receive them first, and then come back in the evening to talk to mother about your affairs in the army."
Xiang Jinghao said nonchalantly: "Those people thought they were visiting my father and just asked them to wait. My father won't come back anyway. He will eventually leave if he gets tired of waiting."
"It's better to go and receive some reception."
When Xiang Jinghao walked to the front hall, there were already many officials waiting. He had met these people last year. Every time when I come back, I always want to climb the dragon and the phoenix and give a few words of praise. Although it is hypocritical, it is very comfortable to listen to.
Xiang Jinghao called out names one by one. He had been familiar with the ways of being an official since he was a child. Even if he didn't know each other, as long as he greeted them with a smile, he would treat them like old friends he hadn't seen for a long time.
Don’t reach out to hit the smiling person.
After seeing off the officials one by one, they heard the announcement coming from the door. The person coming from outside was Xiao Jinghong, the eldest son of Prince Zhao.
Xiang Jinghao was puzzled. He was a few years younger than Xiao Jinghong but did not have any close friendship with Xiao Jinghong. He didn't know what Jamel Xiao wanted when he came here this time.
"Brother Jinghao, you have just returned to the capital this year. You must have accumulated great military exploits and returned to the capital to be awarded a title." Xiao Jinghong's voice had already reached the front hall when he saw his figure.
Xiang Jinghao was stunned by the unwarranted praise, and then responded immediately: "Brother, you are so complimentary. The military is difficult, and military achievements are the result of the accumulation of flesh and blood of our compatriots. How dare I be awarded the title, brother?"
Xiao Jinghong's expression remained unchanged, and he thought in his heart: "Hypocritical." He said again: "Brother is humble." Isn't he also a hypocritical person.
The two parents chatted briefly, because they were both heirs of the prince's family, and they were close in age, so there was not much to avoid.
"Jinghao, you are not in Kyoto. Do you know the situation in Kyoto?"
Xiang Jinghao smiled from the bottom of his heart and thought: "Finally we get to the point."
"The situation in Kyoto? Brother, what do you mean by this?" Xiang Jinghao said.
Xiao Jinghong is not a fool. He is more proficient in using mandarin like this than Xiang Jinghao. Since Xiang Jinghao asked, he said: "Currently, there are only two situations in Kyoto. One is the visit of the envoy. Your Majesty has asked you to deal with this matter, and you will know when the time comes. Second..."
Xiao Jinghong signaled Xiang Jinghao to retreat, and then lowered his voice and said: "The second is between our Crown Prince and the Third Prince."
Seeing Xiang Jinghao's frown, Xiao Jinghong said again: "You don't need to hide it from me. The King of Chu has always been in the same party with the third prince, and all the officials in the court know about it. Of course, Your Majesty also told this matter See it in your eyes.”
"What does brother mean?" Xiang Jinghao was not nervous and asked the question again.
Xiao Jinghong was not impatient and took a sip of tea lightly and said: "You may have just returned to Kyoto and are not aware of what is going on in the palace. Rumor has it that His Majesty is going to grant a marriage to the prince, and it is not difficult to guess that the woman is Prime Minister Li's. A morning girl."
"Your Majesty is a wise Majesty. Balancing the forces between the two parties is the top priority. His Highness the Crown Prince has been weak for a long time, and the wings of the third prince are gradually becoming fuller. After all, they are father and son. Your Majesty always wants to help a group of His Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiang Jinghao thought this was funny. Your Majesty and the Crown Prince have a deep love as father and son. Is it possible that the third prince is not His Majesty's heir?
These words were just what Xiang Jinghao said in his heart.
"With the help of the Prime Minister, the prince's position is stable. It will be difficult for the third prince to enter the East Palace."
After saying so much, Xiang Jinghao seemed to understand the meaning of this uninvited brother. "Then, brother, how will you handle yourself when the time comes? Should you stand with His Highness the Crown Prince, or become the arm of His Highness the Third Prince?"
Xiao Jinghong smiled slightly, "Brother, I came here to recommend myself. I hope brother Jinghao can introduce me to me."
Xiang Jinghao was confused, "My brother and the third prince are both clan members, so they should be more familiar with them than me. Why do you need me to introduce them?"
"Although the Third Prince and I are relatives, we still need an acquaintance to introduce us to such important matters." Xiao Jinghong said.
"Rogue bandits need to submit a name certificate to join the gang. Brother, when you go to see the third prince, you should always bring a gift so that my brother and I can gain some face."
The two laughed at the same time, both of them were deep-tempered guys.
