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"Young Master, did this palace banquet go well? And those three girls, do you think the Young Master likes them?"
Seeing Zhao Junchen leaving the palace, Xu Qingyan came up to greet him and asked. 【Read full text】
He and Zhao Junchen are close friends. They grew up together. They are called master and servant but are actually brothers. Now this palace banquet is related to Zhao Junchen's marriage, so Xu Qingyan is naturally very concerned about it.
However, Zhao Junchen looked thoughtful and did not give a clear answer. He just shook his head slightly and said slowly: "This matter... seems to be more complicated than imagined. It was difficult for me to decide for a while. .”
"Complicated?" Xu Qingyan was slightly stunned.
Zhao Junchen nodded and said softly: "Today's palace banquet, the thoughts of all parties are a little different from what I imagined, especially the daughter of the Jingguo Duke's family, who seems to have other agendas...and your majesty." His attitude is also a bit unexpected..."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen fell into deep thought again.
These words have no beginning and no end. They seem to be explaining to Xu Qingyan, but they also seem to be talking to themselves, which makes people confused.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, he knew that Zhao Junchen was thinking about things carefully. Although he became more and more curious, Xu Qingyan stopped asking questions. He just waited for Zhao Junchen to get on the sedan chair and then ordered the bearers to carry the sedan chair back home. …………
As the sedan swayed, Zhao Junchen sat in the sedan and thought carefully about what happened at the palace banquet today.
Today's palace banquet seems ordinary, but it is just a routine. But Zhao Junchen was able to obtain a lot of useful information after careful consideration.
First, the clearest thing. Even Cui Mian, the former cabinet minister, didn't like to see Zhao Junchen. Although by chance, Cui Qianxue seemed to have some curiosity and ignorant affection for Zhao Junchen. As long as Zhao Junchen used some tricks, it was not difficult to marry the Cui family. However, in With Cui Mian's attitude, even if the two families get married in the future. It is also difficult for Zhao Junchen to get any help from the Cui family, even in the worst case, although Zhao Junchen is married to the Cui family. But Cui Mian would instead obstruct and make things difficult for Zhao Junchen in the temple. In this way, Cui Mian could recover the loss of his reputation and make his position clear to the Qingliu people. With Cui Mian's temperament of cherishing his body and reputation, it is very possible to do this. of.
Therefore, regarding the future candidate for his wife. Zhao Junchen first ruled out Cui Qianxue - what he needed was a political marriage that could help him. Obviously, getting married to the Cui family will only bring disadvantages but no advantages in this regard, and the marriage between Zhao Junchen and Cui Qianxue will hardly be happy and harmonious under such circumstances. Thinking of Cui Qianxue's clear, bright, big eyes without any impurities, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but feel a little regretful. In fact, if political interests were put aside, Zhao Junchen preferred Cui Qianxue among the three women. Although Cui Qianxue always spoke and acted a little awkwardly. After consideration. But precisely because of this, Zhao Junchen found it easiest to get along with her.
pity. The so-called "political interest considerations" are the things that Zhao Junchen cannot avoid at the moment.
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Secondly, Su Changzhen's attitude was unexpectedly enthusiastic and proactive. In order to promote his daughter Su Xiuning to Zhao Junchen at the palace banquet, he was almost shameless. He not only seized the opportunity to show Su Xiuning to Zhao Junchen He also repeatedly hinted to Zhao Junchen the various benefits that could be brought about by marrying the Su family. His attitude was almost flattering, which made Zhao Junchen feel ashamed for him.
It can be said that Su Changzhen's attitude is completely different from Cui Mian's.
At the same time, Su Xiuning is also a very outstanding woman. She is not only talented and beautiful, but also has a gentle and gentle temperament and no evil intentions. It can be said that she is destined to be a good wife in the future.
However, the more enthusiastic and proactive Su Changzhen was, the more hesitant Zhao Junchen became.
Without him, Su Changzhen has been floating in the officialdom for many years. He has no strong backer, is not from a famous family, and has dirty hands. However, not only has he not fallen down over the years, but he has climbed step by step to the high position of the governor of South Zhili, which shows that With his superb methods and sophisticated vision, he is undoubtedly an old fox in the political arena. With his eyes, it is impossible not to see the hidden dangers in Zhao Junchen's future, but he is still eager to marry his daughter to Zhao Junchen, and his attitude is almost impatient, even completely. It would be a bit strange not to worry that this would arouse the hostility of Prince Zhu Heyu.
This kind of performance reminded Zhao Junchen of the four words "drinking poison to quench thirst".
Unless Su Changzhen was facing a greater threat, how could he be so eager to drink Zhao Junchen's "poisonous wine"?
However, Su Changzhen was, after all, a second-rank member of the imperial court and a high-ranking feudal official. Who could force Su Changzhen to such an extent? Su Changzhen must marry Zhao Junchen to alleviate his dilemma?
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen sighed secretly - except Emperor Deqing, no one else would need to do this, and no one else would have such ability!
Thinking back to the palace banquet, Emperor Deqing's attitude was almost nakedly in favor of Su Xiuning among the three girls. Obviously, although Emperor Deqing chose the three girls to go on a blind date with Zhao Junchen, he preferred that Zhao Junchen and Su Chang Jin got married. As for Cui Qianxue, the granddaughter of Lao Cui Mian in the front pavilion, and Chen Zhirong, the daughter of Chen You, the Duke of Jing, they were just foils in the eyes of Emperor Deqing.
At first glance, Emperor Deqing's attitude seemed nothing. After all, everyone has preferences and preferences. Emperor Deqing was partial to Su Xiuning. Perhaps it was just that Emperor Deqing was more optimistic about Su Xiuning, but the emperor's mind was unfathomable. Every move had a profound meaning. However, the more Zhao Junchen thought deeply about Emperor Deqing's profound meaning, the colder his heart became.
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Originally, Zhao Junchen thought that the blind date arranged by Emperor Deqing for him was just a simple test to test Zhao Junchen's future aspirations and path.
After all, the three marriage partners arranged by Emperor Deqing for Zhao Junchen are really representative!
Among them, Cui Mian, the former cabinet minister, has a good reputation, but lacks power and influence. Marrying the Cui family will help Zhao Junchen improve his reputation, but it will not help Zhao Junchen expand his power. If Zhao Junchen finally chooses to marry the Cui family, it will prove that Zhao Junchen The future choices and paths tend to be self-preservation and conservatism. There is no big ambition.
As the governor of Southern Zhili, Su Changzhen had been a local official for many years. He had deep connections and power and influence that should not be underestimated, but he was a very corrupt official. He has a bad reputation among the government and the public. If he marries him, although Zhao Junchen can expand his power and influence, his reputation will be even worse, and his officials will become more and more mixed. It will be very easy for others to catch him in the future. If Zhao Junchen chooses to marry Su Changzhen marriage. It proves that although Zhao Junchen had certain ambitions, he did not have a long-term vision and had no intention of breaking away from the control of Emperor Deqing.
As for the Chen family, Duke of Jing. He is closely related to the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and Zhu Hejian has not been crowned king due to health reasons. He is the only adult prince living in the capital today. Although the seventh prince Zhu Hejian and the prince Zhu Heyu seem to be brothers and respectful, The relationship is quite good. But in fact, Zhu Hejian is also the only prince who can threaten Zhu Heyu's status as crown prince! If Zhao Junchen is very ambitious. If he wants to overthrow the prince Zhu Heyu who is hostile to him, he may choose to marry Chen Zhirong, the daughter of Chen You, Duke of Jing, in order to establish a connection with the seventh prince Zhu Hejian!
It can be said that through Zhao Junchen's marriage choice, Emperor Deqing could clearly understand Zhao Junchen's true ambition, and thus decide his future attitude towards Zhao Junchen.
Originally, Zhao Junchen thought that this was the true purpose of Emperor Deqing.
However, through today's palace banquet. Only then did Zhao Junchen realize that he had misjudged Emperor Deqing’s mentality after all!
In a way. Emperor Deqing still "trusted" Zhao Junchen, so he did not test Zhao Junchen's thoughts, but similarly, he did not intend to give Zhao Junchen a chance to choose!
Some time ago, Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong were in a party dispute. Huang Yourong wanted to give Zhao Junchen a fatal blow by checking the accounts department. However, he did not expect that Zhao Junchen was prepared for the rainy day and adopted the accounting method of later generations. Due to the accounting techniques, Huang Yourong was unable to get the slightest clue about Zhao Junchen in the accounts of the Household Department, and therefore fell into a disadvantage in the party struggle.
In addition, in addition to the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Industry is also following Zhao Junchen's lead. One of the two major yamen is responsible for the management of the world's money and food, and the other is responsible for the expenditure of most money and food. With each other's help and complementation, it can be said that now they want to grasp the situation. It is almost impossible to take advantage of Zhao Junchen.
Obviously, Emperor Deqing also understood this, but he might not be happy to see it happen!
After all, in the eyes of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen was used to be blamed, to be slaughtered as a fat pig in the future, and to establish his authority when the new emperor ascended the throne! Zhao Junchen has nothing to grasp now. It will naturally be extremely inconvenient for Zhao Junchen to "retire after success" in the future.
However, Emperor Deqing knew the emperor's mind well, so he naturally had a way to deal with such a situation.
That is to promote the marriage between Zhao Junchen and Su Changzhen!
Although it is difficult for Zhao Junchen to grasp the clues now, it is very easy to grasp the clues of Su Changzhen's group. Once Zhao Junchen marries the Su family, the forces of the two factions will inevitably gradually merge. Then the various crimes of corruption and perversion of the law by Su Changzhen's faction over the years will inevitably implicate Zhao Junchen in the future! As a result, no matter how airtight the two ministries of household and industry controlled by Zhao Junchen were, Zhao Junchen could never escape the control of Emperor Deqing and could only let them be manipulated.
In fact, when Zhao Junchen thought about it, the handles and evidence against Su Changjin and his group must have been in the hands of Emperor Deqing, and Emperor Deqing used these handles and evidence to threaten him, so Su Changjin just He knows how to "drink poison to quench his thirst". He knows that there will be great hidden dangers in the future after marrying Zhao Junchen, but he still shows his kindness to Zhao Junchen in every way and can't wait to marry Zhao Junchen.
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Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen narrowed his eyes slightly, and a cold look flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it seems that no matter how much I flatter you, no matter how much I show my determination to change my past, no matter how much I show my value in the court, you still haven't changed your attitude towards me...
However, I should probably be more fortunate. Unlike what I imagined, in a certain sense, you still 'trust' me. You have no intention of testing my true intentions at all, you just want to control me more firmly. In a way, I should also be grateful...
However, since I have guessed your true plan, how can I still be loyal to you and not use any counterattack? Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you are too confident..."
While muttering to himself, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly, rejecting Su Xiuning among the candidates for his future wife.
Marrying Su Xiuning and marrying Su Changzhen can certainly expand his power in the short term, but the hidden dangers in the future are too great - although Zhao Junchen has many "near worries" now, they are not fatal, and although there are not many "distant worries" , but each one of them is a big trouble that makes Zhao Junchen sleepless. Zhao Junchen really doesn't want to increase his future crisis.
However, since Emperor Deqing has made up his mind, he will definitely not give up until he achieves his goal, and will try every means to bring Zhao Junchen and Su Xiuning together. How to deal with it, Zhao Junchen still has not made up his mind.
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However, after successively rejecting Cui Qianxue and Su Changzhen, the only three wives provided by Emperor Deqing for Zhao Junchen were Chen Zhirong, the daughter of Chen You, Duke of Jing.
However, among the three women, although Chen Zhirong has the best appearance and is the most intelligent and shrewd, Zhao Junchen dislikes her the least.
Without him, Zhao Junchen could not guess Chen Zhirong's true thoughts, and saw too much ambition in Chen Zhirong's eyes!
Zhao Junchen believes that he still has some tolerance for others, but this tolerance is based on what Zhao Junchen can control.
However, a woman like Chen Zhirong, who has ulterior motives, is smart and shrewd, and refuses to be ordinary, is the most difficult to control.
Not to mention that after the marriage between the Duke of Jing and the Chen family, the influence of Zhao Junchen's subordinates, which he has worked hard to manage these days, is likely to be secretly eroded by the seventh prince Zhu Hejian.
In fact, from a certain perspective, Zhao Junchen was more afraid of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian than the prince Zhu Heyu.
Although Zhu Heyu was the crown prince and was very hostile to Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen knew his thoughts, style, and power very well, and could use these to make arrangements. However, Zhao Junchen had always been blind to the seventh prince Zhu Hejian. He could only guess that he was coveting the throne, was good at forbearing, and had some influence in the inner court. As for the rest, he knew nothing about it.
Zhao Junchen was naturally extremely wary of such a person, and was unwilling to establish too much contact with him before he was certain.
In addition, another important reason is that Zhao Junchen already has a shrewd and strong Fang Ru in his house. If he marries the equally shrewd and strong Chen Zhirong, there will probably be conflicts between the two women, and Chen Zhirong is the principal wife after all. , in the conflict, Fang Ru may suffer.
After all, Zhao Junchen still had some feelings for Fang Ru, but he didn't want Fang Ru to be wronged.
In this way, after comprehensive consideration, Chen Zhirong is also not a good candidate for Zhao Junchen's future wife.
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Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen sighed softly again.
After today's palace banquet, after careful consideration, he actually rejected all three women.
"Since none of the three women are suitable, I have no choice but to start over again, leaving these three women aside and choosing a suitable wife myself. However, how can such a candidate be so easy to find? Otherwise, how can I Will she be single till now? What's more, these three women were all chosen by Emperor Deqing. If he chooses someone else, he may be unhappy with Emperor Deqing. Depending on Emperor Deqing's temperament, the next step will definitely be a beating and another blow. A trouble..."
"Also, Chen Zhirong, at the palace banquet, gave many hints that she had different thoughts from Chen You, Duke of Jing. We will meet tomorrow, but we must find out her thoughts and purposes before making a decision... …”
Time passed very quickly while thinking. When Zhao Junchen thought of this, the sedan chair had already landed, and at the same time, Xu Qingyan's voice came from outside the sedan chair.
"Master, we are at the mansion."
Zhao Junchen nodded, lifted the curtain and got out of the sedan, and walked towards the mansion. At the same time, he ordered Xu Qingyan: "Tomorrow, you book a private room in Youfeng Pavilion. I will meet the three girls there tomorrow... at three o'clock in the morning. Send someone to make arrangements.”
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ps: Happy New Year everyone! !
