Sitting on the throne of Chonghua Hall, Zhu Qizhen let out a long breath. For some reason, he was a little nervous today for something he was already accustomed to doing.
He looked up at the clock and saw that there was no movement outside. Zhu Qizhen felt a little irritated and wanted to find someone to ask.
However, at this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the palace, and Zhu Qizhen quickly sat up straight and straightened his posture.
The palace door was slowly pushed open, and the morning light shone through the palace door on the spotless ground. Zhu Qizhen looked up.
There was one person at the head, wearing a python robe, with a white face and no beard. He was the eunuch who was accompanying the emperor, and the eunuch of etiquette showed his gratitude!
However, before a smile appeared on his face, his body froze in place.
Because, after Wynn stepped into the palace door, he turned slightly to one side, and there was nothing behind him, without the emperor at all.
Looking down, a little baby wearing a bright red over-the-shoulder dragon robe, with a tight face, walked up to Wynn on short legs, and then knelt down in the hall.
"My son, Zhu Jianshen, would like to pay my respects to my father."
…………
The eldest princess's mansion.
Although it was said that the prince-in-law should leave immediately, after all, Xue Huan did not make a mistake. Asking him to go to Nanjing to assist in military affairs was considered a normal dispatch by the court, and it was not a rebuke or punishment. What's more, the prince-in-law was still 'sick'.
Therefore, the imperial court was not so unkind as to force the prince-in-law to leave immediately. They just politely sent someone to the princess's house to tell them that the prince-in-law's official documents, official seal and other items were ready and ready to leave at any time.
Yes, the prince-in-law has been staying at the eldest princess's residence and has not gone out since he "caught a cold" in the eldest princess's residence yesterday.
Therefore, the official who delivered the letter from the imperial court naturally delivered the post directly to the eldest princess' mansion.
After sending the person away politely, Fang, the aunt of the eldest princess's house, returned to the flower hall and reported.
"Your Highness, he has left."
The eldest princess of Changde was currently wearing a light coat and skirt, leaning on the couch, with a look of sadness that could not be concealed on her beautiful face.
She glanced at the greeting card handed over by the steward's aunt, sighed, and asked.
"Where is the prince-in-law? Are you still losing your temper?"
"Yes, from yesterday to now, the meals delivered outside the door have been taken away intact, and the maids have also been blocked outside the door and not allowed in."
When this matter was mentioned, the aunt in charge couldn't help but look a little ugly.
You know, she is an old man in the palace who married the eldest princess. Not only has she watched the eldest princess of Changde grow up since she was a child, but she also serves the princess with dignity.
In comparison, although Xue Huan came from a noble family, his status was naturally much lower in front of the eldest princess.
Seeing that Xue Huan dared to lose his temper in the princess mansion, the aunt in charge could no longer hold back her dissatisfaction.
If the eldest princess of Changde hadn't suppressed him, she would have withdrawn the meal from the unscrupulous consort and starved him for three days to see if he still dared to look down on the eldest princess.
Of course, she wouldn't dare to say this.
After all, although the marriage between Princess Changde and Xue Huan was approved by the palace mother, it was Princess Changde who gave the nod in the end. After the two got married, not only were they inseparable, but they were also in harmony, and the aunt in charge was the one in charge. He wouldn't be so blind and talkative, but he couldn't hide the slight resentment in his tone.
Princess Changde naturally heard it, sighed quietly, and said.
"Auntie, don't blame him. I did something wrong in this matter, but... Oh, forget it, now that this greeting card has been sent, it is urging the consort to leave... By the way, there are many people in the palace. Is there any news?”
This is not because Princess Changde is defending Xue Huan, but that she did go too far this time.
Yesterday, Xue Huan got the decree and ran over from the Prince Consort's Mansion to enter the palace with her.
Princess Changde originally planned to stop him from getting involved in this matter, but she never found a suitable opportunity to elaborate on it.
This time, they just took this opportunity and the couple talked for a long time. However, what disappointed Princess Changde was that no matter what she said, Xue Huan refused to give up and leave.
Therefore, after some reasoning failed to make sense, the eldest princess of Changde became cruel and ordered people to lock Xue Huan up. Then she sent someone to the palace to deliver news, directly saying that the prince-in-law was ill.
Then she went to Nangong alone, prepared the eldest princess's ceremonial chariot, and completed her statement.
However, the consequence is that from yesterday to today, Xue Huan locked the door and no one could open it.
Looking at the frowning eldest princess, the aunt in charge also sighed and said.
"Back to Your Highness, this morning, news came from the palace that His Majesty sent Eunuch Huai'en to Cining Palace to announce the decree, and ordered His Majesty the Crown Prince to go to Nangong to pay greetings on His Majesty's behalf."
At this point, the aunt seemed to be hesitant. She hesitated for a moment before continuing under the urging eyes of Princess Changde.
"However, the Supreme Emperor seemed to have a very bad complexion at that time. He left the Chonghua Palace without saying a few words to His Highness the Crown Prince. It is said that His Highness's complexion was not very good when he left Nangong."
After hearing this, Princess Changde also sighed and said.
"Sure enough, he is still so willful. That's all. When I went to my mother's harem last time, I heard the maid next to Brother Shen say that he likes all kinds of beads recently. Go get my night-light pearl and give it to Brother Shen tomorrow. It's a little thought from me as an aunt to send it over."
"yes……"
The steward's aunt didn't hesitate much. No matter how precious the night pearl was, it should be given to the prince.
So Princess Changde nodded, raised her hand and stood up with the help of the palace attendants, saying.
"Let's go meet the prince-in-law."
Xue Huan lives in the west courtyard of the Princess's Mansion, and this is where he comes to take a nap every day.
In fact, the eldest princess of Changde has not locked the small courtyard since she came out of the palace yesterday. However, the person who is guarding the small courtyard to prevent entry is actually the one who came here with Xue Huan.
Seeing Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess arriving in person, several of her followers looked at each other, but in the end they still stepped forward and said.
"I've seen His Highness. The Prince Consort has just given the order. No one will be seen. You'd better please come back!"
"presumptuous!"
Before Princess Changde could speak, the aunt in charge beside her darkened her face and shouted sternly.
"This is the eldest princess's mansion. How dare you stop Her Highness the eldest princess? Is this how the prince-in-law taught you to behave?"
Several of the attendants were also old people around Xue Huan. They knew the temperament of the aunt in charge of the eldest princess's house, so they did not defend themselves and just knelt down and said.
"Your Highness, the young ones are also following the orders of the Prince Consort. Please be considerate of our difficulties."
With the two sides facing off like this, Princess Changde finally spoke.
"Get out of your way, I and the consort have something to say."
Now, this group of followers was completely in trouble. After all, this is the eldest princess's mansion. If they really don't give in, they won't be defeated enough, but if they give in...
"Step aside!"
Before these people could make a decision, a voice came from the small courtyard, and then a group of servants around them bowed and saluted.
"Consort..."
I saw Xue Huan, wearing a moon-white robe, stepping out and coming to the eldest princess of Changde. He bowed respectfully and said.
"I would like to extend my greetings to Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess. I wonder what your Highness's orders are?"
Such a distant look made Princess Changde's eyes darken, and she couldn't help shouting.
"Xue Lang..."
However, Xue Huan did not agree, but bowed in a respectful manner.
Seeing this situation, Princess Changde sighed, thought about it, and said.
"From yesterday to today, a lot of things happened inside and outside the palace. Don't you want to know, my consort, what happened when I entered the palace yesterday? Just follow me!"
After saying that, Princess Changde walked towards Nuan Pavilion on the side.
On the other side, Xue Huan still had some sense of propriety and knew that Princess Changde was stepping down for him, so after hesitating for a moment, he stepped up to follow her.
Entering the Nuan Pavilion, the eldest princess of Changde first dismissed everyone, leaving only two aunts who were serving her, and then said.
"You should know what the Supreme Emperor issued yesterday. Today, His Majesty issued another decree and ordered the Crown Prince to go to Nangong on behalf of His Majesty to determine the province in the morning and dusk. The Supreme Emperor's plan has failed again!"
As soon as she came up, Princess Changde got straight to the point and explained the matter concisely.
After hearing this, Xue Huan had no reaction.
Although he was locked in the yard, there was still no problem in sending two servants out to find out the information.
Therefore, although the news was slightly delayed, he was aware of the order issued by the Emperor to Qianqing Palace yesterday. Of course, Princess Changde went to Nangong alone for a banquet. After the banquet, she entered the palace again, and then he received Xue Huan also knew that he wanted to go to Nanjing to assist in military affairs.
There was no one else here. Xue Huan hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't hold it back and asked with a bit of resentment.
"Your Highness, I don't understand, why are you doing this?"
"You know, the Supreme Emperor is your brother from the same mother. The reason why I do these things is to help the Supreme Emperor!"
"I know!"
Seeing that Xue Huan was willing to talk, Princess Changde breathed a sigh of relief, nodded gently and said.
"Xue Lang, I told you a long time ago not to get involved in this matter. I don't know what the queen mother told you, but in my opinion, Brother Zhen and Brother Yu are both mine. younger brother……"
"At the beginning, the reason why I sent the message inside and outside the palace for my mother was because Brother Zhen was caught in Yibei. He was short of clothes and in danger of his life. As an imperial sister, I naturally had to find a way to get him bring back."
"But now, Brother Zhen has returned to the capital safely, and Brother Yu treats him very well. They each have their own place to live, so why do they have to cause trouble?"
These words again...
This is not the first time that Xue Huan and Princess Changde have discussed this matter, but they basically broke up every time.
Xue Huan sighed, sat down on a chair nearby and said.
"Your Highness, I have told you before that you think too simply. It is so easy to live in peace and harmony in the court..."
After saying this, Xue Huan looked up at Princess Changde and said.
"Your Highness, you are the eldest princess of the Ming Dynasty, with golden branches and jade leaves. How can you understand the suffering of ordinary people? I have already been involved in the court. Even if I want to be alone, I can't do it!"
The Nuan Pavilion fell into silence, and Princess Changde's expression was a little complicated.
"Sister Huang, Xue Huan will not understand your painstaking efforts. He, the Yangwu Marquis Mansion, and other distinguished nobles have already become entangled and difficult to separate."
"Getting away? For them, it is no different than trying to survive. Xue Huan, without this determination, would not be able to make this decision!"
"If you do this, Xue Huan will not only not thank you, but will blame you for being nosy..."
Princess Changde still remembers the worry and helplessness in the emperor's tone when he said these words to her before she left the palace yesterday.
Even as an emperor, there are times when there is nothing you can do.
And what did she say at that time...
"I really don't understand the court, and maybe I don't understand the difficulties you mentioned, but... I want to keep my husband!"
Princess Changde raised her head, with a smile on her face, and spoke.
"Xue Lang, let's go to Nanjing and come back when the storm subsides..."
"Your Highness!"
Xue Huan was so angry and anxious that he couldn't help shouting.
Of course he understood how Princess Changde wanted him to stay away from the whirlpool, but the problem was that he was not alone.
Behind him is Yangwuhou Mansion.
Over the years, the Yangwu Marquis Mansion and the British Duke's Mansion have been on the same side, and have already forged various relationships with nobles from various families.
Now, the British government has placed its bets on the Supreme Emperor. If he leaves the capital and waits on the sidelines, how can the Yangwu Marquis Mansion gain a foothold among the nobles?
However, this time Princess Changde was obviously determined. She took out the greeting card just sent from her sleeve and said.
"The decree has been issued, and the official documents and seals have been prepared overnight. I personally went to the palace to ask for this grace. It is impossible to take it back. Therefore, no matter what dissatisfaction the consort has in his heart, this matter is a foregone conclusion!"
Xue Huan stood up suddenly, looked at Princess Changde with a livid face, and almost walked away.
That's it again!
That was it yesterday!
Obviously they both know each other's thoughts and motives, but every time they talk about it, they always end it in this way...
Xue Huan clasped his hands and opened them again, then tried hard to suppress the anger in his heart and said.
"Your Highness, as long as you don't interfere, even if the decree has been issued, I can still find a way. I still say that the affairs of the court are not that simple."
Claiming that it is difficult to recover from illness, you can find a powerful noble to go to the palace to plead for mercy, or simply refuse...
In the end, although the emperor's decree was issued, Xue Huan did not make a mistake and was not demoted and punished. Therefore, if you really want to think of something, there are still many things that can be used.
What's more, Xue Huan didn't believe that the British government would watch him leave the capital.
In the final analysis, as long as the eldest princess doesn't interfere with it, resolving this matter is not as difficult as imagined.
However, just after he said these words, Princess Changde looked at him with an extremely complicated expression.
After a while, a long sigh sounded and said.
"Xue Lang, maybe you are right. I really don't understand the affairs of the court. However, I only know that if I don't enter the palace this time, then your Yangwuhou Mansion will be gone."
Saying this, Princess Changde took a small brocade box from the aunt in charge and handed it to Xue Huan...
Xue Huan frowned and took the brocade box, opened it, and his eyes suddenly enlarged a lot. His face was full of shock, and he looked up at Princess Changde in disbelief.
At this moment, Princess Changde's thoughts had already drifted away...
"This box can be regarded as a gift from me to Sister Huang. If he really can't understand Sister Huang's good intentions, then let me do it for this evil person!"
"The emperor's sister is a noble person, noble in gold and jade. She has done so much for him. He should be grateful!"
