After that, His Highness the Crown Prince used to be busy with government affairs and stayed in the study room of the East Palace every day. Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess is familiar with the affairs of the East Palace every day, and communicates with many women who have inner destiny and outer destiny.
However, what neither of them expected was that the greatest impact of the Cold War during this period was not on the East Palace, but on the former harem outside the East Palace. Although everyone in the East Palace acted cautiously every day, they had no more worries because Eunuch Fushuang had already taken care of everyone and made everyone feel at ease.
But outside the East Palace, there were frequent waves. Although His Highness the Crown Prince is still unemployed, everyone can see clearly that His Highness the Crown Prince is already unstoppable. Even His Majesty was just trying his best to suppress His Highness the Crown Prince.
It was also during this period that the overt and covert actions of the East Palace made the courtiers realize that His Royal Highness was no longer the mascot who had been emptied out by His Majesty and had the title of Crown Prince, but was actually trapped in the palace and the capital.
This change caught many people in the former harem off guard.
It was a hot summer day, and Xiao Min, along with the officials and staff of the East Palace, were discussing matters in the study room. They could not help but feel a little impatient due to the influence of the heat. Xiao Min seemed to be the most affected. He was distracted frequently and was reminded softly by Fu Shuang beside him several times.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, I heard that Your Excellency asked for your opinion." Xiao Min suddenly came back to his senses, his expression was calm, "The East Palace should not get too involved in the matter of the Beidi King and the Queen Mother regent, otherwise it will inevitably be suspected of colluding with the barbarians. However, it is indeed necessary. It's on the agenda. You can just instruct a few officials of Honglu Temple to mention it during the morning court.
Your Majesty still leaves Gu Fu free, so Gu naturally can't do this. However, this exchange between Beidi and Ji Dynasty was the first since the establishment of our dynasty. Many tribes in the North are watching the relationship between Beidi and Jichao, and they must not let this matter chill their hearts. "
The officials and staff of the East Palace only expressed their opinions.
Another person mentioned the marriage of His Highness the Prince of Yu, "Your Highness, Concubine Gu has been summoning wives from various families frequently these days, hoping to use marriage to add a few more generals to His Highness the Prince of Yu. Your Highness, what can we do from this?"
"I think it is better to be still than to move. Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess is the leader of the noble ladies of the family. No matter how hard His Royal Highness Prince Yu tries his best, he will never be able to find a princess who can surpass His Highness the Crown Princess. If His Highness really obstructs her, wouldn't it mean that the courtiers are honorable? Do you misunderstand that His Highness is narrow-minded?"
"Master Zhao's words are wrong, I think..." As he said this, two or three people started to argue about the future Princess Yu. Xiao Min interrupted them impatiently, "Okay, Prince Yu Marriage is not a lonely marriage. He can marry whomever he likes. As long as he has the ability to let Your Majesty grant the marriage, there is nothing to interfere with."
The remaining people could see that His Highness the Crown Prince was in a troubled mood today, so they did not dare to dwell on this matter and brought up the matter of the Queen Mother.
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has obviously been showing favor to you since your wedding. Do you intend to win over members of the Empress Dowager's natal family? Although the Empress Dowager has been hiding from the world for many years, she still uses the name of the legitimate mother. If I can win over the Empress Dowager."
The official did not elaborate on what happened next, but the implications were clear to everyone present.
"Are you really not clear about the reason why the Imperial Grandmother showed favor to Gu? There is not much mother-son affection between the Imperial Grandmother and Your Majesty. The ability to sit firmly in the position of the Empress Dowager depends entirely on the ancestral etiquette. But now His Majesty is even the direct descendant of the Queen Mother. Even the eldest prince wants to be deposed. Is the position of the empress dowager, which the empress dowager holds firmly by relying on the ancestral etiquette, still secure?"
Another aide said cautiously, "But Your Highness, if we don't win over the Empress Dowager, what if the Empress Dowager falls to His Highness Prince Yu's side? This matter should not be taken lightly, Your Highness."
The impatience in Xiao Min's tone became more intense, "Do you really think that His Highness Prince Yu is a stumbling block for Gu?" Scanning the surprised eyes of those present, Xiao Min said coldly, "Everyone, please open your eyes and take a good look. From the beginning In the end, King Yu is not worthy of being Gu's opponent. Who is Gu's stumbling block? Do you need Gu to make it clearer?"
As if they had thought of something, everyone present changed their expressions slightly. "Your Highness, what do you mean..."
Before he could finish the matter, Xiao Min had already stood up and walked out, leaving only one sentence that made the officials and staff of the East Palace feel ashamed, "Now that I have been ordered to stay idle by Your Majesty, if you have anything to say that I don't know, There is no need to attract attention by going to the East Palace."
Xiao Min fluttered his sleeves and walked away. The corner of his sleeves brought up a biting wind, which shocked everyone present. Eunuch Fu Shuang trotted to keep up with His Highness the Crown Prince, wiping his sweaty forehead as he ran. Eunuch Fu Shuang felt that His Highness the Crown Prince had become more and more irritable these days, and he was probably on the verge of an explosion.
In the past few days, every day when His Highness the Crown Prince had some leisure time, Eunuch Fushuang felt that His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to ask about His Highness the Crown Princess's situation several times, but he didn't know if His Highness the Crown Prince's anger had not subsided yet. His Highness the Crown Prince swallowed it again.
The officials and staff who were left behind looked at Eunuch Fushuang's retreating back with some sympathy.
Inside the Changyin Pavilion of Shoukang Palace.
Her Highness the Crown Princess, whom Eunuch Fu Shuang was thinking about, was currently listening to a play in the Shoukang Palace with the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager and Concubine Gu. Coincidentally, Princess Ruyang is actually here today.
However, today's Princess Ruyang is no longer as showy and wanton as before, but is much more cautious, and she didn't even say a few words. The empress dowager inquired about her with concern, but the eldest princess Ruyang just smiled reluctantly and said that she was fine. Everyone just thought she was worried about her daughter's marriage, and they all expressed some relief.
Only Concubine Gu showed disdain, and her words were more sarcastic than comforting. The Empress Dowager frowned, but it was estimated that His Highness Prince Yu was in the limelight, so she didn't say much.
Not long after, the singing began on the stage. The first song I listened to today was "Ma Gu's Birthday", which was specially commissioned by the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is old and loves to watch such songs to celebrate birthdays. The others present were all her juniors, so they naturally flattered her and praised her for the good show.
After the song was finished, the track list was once again handed to everyone in the venue. Queen Wen glanced at the play list hastily, and was about to order a festive play at random, when the eldest princess Ruyang, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
"I think this play "The Romance of the West Chamber" is good. Can the emperor's sister-in-law let this one be sung first on stage?" This play is not important. In addition, the eldest princess Ruyang is obviously a little nervous and stubborn, and Queen Wen is not willing to do it here. Whenever I argue with someone over trivial matters, I will respond with a smile.
Unexpectedly, just halfway through the play, the eldest princess Ruyang burst into tears and cried, "Mother, you have always cherished the younger generation the most. I beg you to take pity on my Yan'er. In a few months, Yan'er will be sixteen years old. , she hasn’t gotten engaged yet. I don’t know how many people outside are laughing at her for being an empty-handed county magistrate. As a mother, I’m really heartbroken.”
Everyone was startled by Princess Ruyang's words. When they reacted, Queen Wen took the lead and said, "What's wrong with sister Ruyang? Some young ladies get married early, and their parents are reluctant to let her get married. Rongde is Even if your Majesty's personal title of county king remains until the age of eighteen, there will still be a lot of people asking for your hand in marriage."
Queen Wen had previously considered letting the prince marry the Lord of Rongde County, because at that time she still had some illusions about easing the father-son relationship between His Majesty and the prince. However, the situation changed suddenly later on, and His Majesty was suddenly sent to serve as a chariot on a personal expedition, which completely allowed Queen Wen to see clearly the true face of the person next to her.
No matter how much the current eldest princess Ruyang cries, in the eyes of Queen Wen, she just shares the same hatred as her majesty. Naturally, she will not really care about the marriage of Lord Rongde County, and she will just say a few words of comfort.
But for some reason, Concubine Gu suddenly became excited. She looked at Queen Wen with her eyes and said thoughtfully, "Why don't the queen fulfill the infatuation of Lord Rongde County? I have heard that Lord Rongde County loves His Highness the Crown Prince with all his heart." , even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince already has a Crown Princess. I’m afraid Rongde County Lord is willing to be a Liang Di concubine."
There is too much of a yin and yang meaning in these words. It not only satirizes the Rongde County Lord for being shameless and even wanting to cling to a married man, but also seems like His Highness the Crown Prince’s promise to only admire the ninth lady of the Lu family in the main hall was just too much. Clouds and smoke.
"Sister Gu's words are wrong. The prince loves the princess so much, how could he marry Liangdi's side concubine at this newlywed time? His Royal Highness Prince Yu is also in his youthful glory, and he is quite suitable for the Lord of Rongde County." Queen Wen said He accepted the move without any haste and looked dignified.
The two of them were going back and forth, the lights of swords and shadows were hidden in the gentle words.
Until the Empress Dowager finally got tired of listening and said, "Okay, Queen and Concubine, please stop saying a few words. It is human nature for the Rongde County Lord to admire his admiration at a young age. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Yu are also high-ranking nobles in heaven and dragons and phoenixes among people. The marriage of our children should depend on fate."
The two of them were juniors after all, so they had no choice but to shut up after hearing this. Concubine Gu glanced at Lu Bingzhen hatefully, feeling that she was so lucky to have escaped yet again. Concubine Gu originally wanted to ask the Crown Princess if she was willing to have a concubine for His Highness, and whether she was virtuous enough. But now there is no chance to say this.
Being disturbed by the three people, the Queen Mother felt that today's theater was boring. She looked back at Lu Bingzhen, who was serving respectfully. The empress dowager also liked her dignified and elegant posture, which was neither humble nor arrogant. Thinking about the prosperity of His Highness the Crown Prince, the Queen Mother could not help but keep the Crown Princess.
"Queen, you are the master of the harem. The noble concubine is also the master of the first palace. There must be a lot of things going on, so the Ai family won't keep you more." Gu Guifei originally wanted to say that she should be filial to the empress dowager. However, the Empress Dowager said, "The Crown Princess is a good child. She will naturally respect the Ai family. You are busy and we are all members of the same family, so there is no need for so many false courtesy."
