"My dear, I'm going to Youzhou. Have you seen Mrs. Huarong?" came the gentle and smiling voice of the Holy Master.
Qi Nanhua couldn't help but be surprised for a moment that this was the question.
"Didn't you see it?" The emperor asked doubtfully, "How did Aiqing deliver the order?"
Qi Nanhua broke into a cold sweat and stood up quickly to reply: "When I return to the Holy Emperor, Zhou Youzhou loves his wife very much. Even when he came to receive the order, Mrs. Huarong was wearing a green soft smoke curtain to cover her body. I am incompetent. I haven’t seen Mrs. Huarong.”
He knelt on the ground, his heart beating like thunder.
"In this way, Mrs. Huarong is really mysterious." The emperor sighed, expressing curiosity about this Mrs. Huarong.
Liu Hui poured tea for the emperor on the side and said: "Everyone, Li Bozhi used to be the governor of Taiyang County. Maybe they have met him. Sanlang Li is a young talent who is also good at painting and calligraphy. Why don't you pass him over."
"That's fine." The emperor thought for a moment and asked Qi Shilang to step back.
Qi Nanhua walked out and frowned slightly.
When Li Hanzhang entered the Xuanzheng Hall for the first time, he was surprised and worried. When Liu Hui told him that he was painting a portrait of the Mistress of Youzhou, he was silent for a while, and then painted in a cubicle.
The emperor came pacing, looking at the paintings Li Sanlang had finished with his hands behind his back.
I saw the carriage window half-opened, revealing the lower half of the woman's face. It was hazy and the depiction was not realistic. Only the skin as delicate as snow and porcelain exuded the luster of jade.
Her snow-white neck was covered by dark clothes, and she turned her head to look at her. Her lips were bright red and full, like a plucked peony with dew.
The overall painting does not show the whole picture, only the lower jaw and the color of the lips are exposed, but the woman seems to be attractive.
The emperor picked up the painting and laughed inexplicably for a while.
"What a waste of resources."
Chapter 178 (Chang'an Plot)
Inside the Xuanzheng Hall.
As soon as Sanlang of the Li family left, Liu Hui saw his godson. The little skinny eunuch walked up to him silently, leaned into his ear and whispered: "Concubine Xihuang's heart disease has relapsed, and she is suffering from severe colic. I want to I want you to inform the Holy One."
Liu Hui glanced at his godson's bulging waist bag and knew that he had received many benefits from the maids around Concubine Xi. As for Concubine Xi's words about the recurrence of heart disease, just listen to it, it was just to seduce the emperor. Means, in a month, Imperial Concubine Xi's heart disease would relapse seven or eight times, but the Holy Emperor still believed her.
How favored Concubine Xi was, they, the eunuchs who served the Holy Emperor, naturally knew that the emperor's rewards were constantly sent to Concubine Xi's Penglai Palace, making Concubine Xi's Penglai Palace look like a fairy palace.
A certain Hanlin scholar wrote a poem specifically for the residence of Imperial Concubine Xi. The poem asked: Where is the immortal who asked me when I was drunk? Jade Palace Penglai, heaven and earth.
This move made Emperor Xi's concubine happy, and the Holy Emperor was very happy. It didn't take long for the Hanlin scholar to be promoted to Privy Councilor, and became a close minister in the world.
Seeing that his godfather was still silent, the little eunuch rolled his eyes and said, "Dad, is your Majesty very busy today?"
In the past, whenever Imperial Concubine Xi asked for an audience, His Majesty would put down what he was doing and immediately go back to Penglai Palace to accompany her.
Liu Hui had a gloomy face, with a rare hesitation. Concubine Xi was extremely favored by His Majesty, and now she was his ally. It can be said that most of the people in the court who spoke for him were Concubine Xi's natal family. Hers His younger sister, Mrs. Wu Guo, was invited to live in Chang'an, and even the brother-in-law of Imperial Concubine Xi was given an official position. Especially Duke Zheng Guo, who stood up for Imperial Concubine Xi, almost stared at the people in the Ministry of Household Affairs and refused to let go. He forced the Ministry of Husbandry to retreat. Of course, His Majesty was partial to this.
Since Peng Hui is dead, it is inevitable that Imperial Concubine Xi will find him, and he is willing to be on good terms with Imperial Concubine Xi.
If it were normal, Liu Hui would not mind informing Concubine Xi and selling a favor, but since Li Sanlang left, the Holy Master has been looking at the picture of the Mistress of Youzhou made by Li Sanlang for a while, and it is hard to tell whether he is happy or angry. Liu Hui felt unsure.
There was a portrait of another woman in the study. Just thinking about it, Liu Hui was sure how angry the concubine Xi Huang, who was usually sour and jealous, would be. What if Imperial Concubine Xi is not serious and leaks the portrait...
As the beloved concubine of the Holy Emperor, Imperial Concubine Xi may not necessarily be punished, but she will definitely shed a layer of her skin.
Liu Hui thought for a while and let the Holy One make the decision, saying, "The Holy One is dealing with political affairs. I'll go in and ask first."
Returning to the Xuanzheng Hall, Liu Hui stood beside the Holy Emperor with his head lowered and did not speak.
The incense smoke of Dragon's Birthday curls up, and the decoration inside the palace is solemn and solemn, as warm as spring. His Majesty the Emperor, dressed in soft and bright yellow silk fir, is sitting on the throne, looking at the Youzhou Mistress who looks like a lady in a painting. There is a picture of a girl next to her. portrait, carefully looking at their appearance.
"I didn't know that the Xiao family in Qinghe had such a person." Chu Zhang, the emperor of Chu, seemed to be saying to himself. The Xiao family in Qinghe, a great family that was very prosperous in the previous dynasty, now only has old and weak people. When he first learned that Zhou Xuxin had married a Wife, he asked the secret agents in the court to investigate this Xiao daughter who appeared out of thin air, but found nothing.
As if overnight, Xiao Gong's granddaughter who lived deep in the forest turned out to be born. Coincidentally, everyone who knew Xiao's daughter was dead. Xiao's mother was Xiao Gong's daughter, and her father was Wushang layman. They were all reclusive people, so they didn't have many visiting friends. What's more important was that they died at a young age.
Deep love will last forever, and wisdom will inevitably be damaged. Duke Xiao's daughter was smart and short-lived, and her fragrance disappeared. The mist-shang layman couldn't bear the pain, so he entrusted his daughter to Duke Xiao and died with his beloved wife, which added a lot to the Secret Service. Difficulty, after all, it is someone who has died long ago.
Now on the desk, the portrait of Xiao's daughter was accidentally obtained by the Secret Service from a former friend of Master Wushang. The friend of Master Wushang once met Xiao's daughter when she was a child. The Secret Service asked him to send the portrait Draw it.
But after all, it is too long ago, and people's appearances cannot remain unchanged. The portrait of the girl and the portrait painted by Li Sanlang seem to be somewhat similar when you look closely, but when you look away, you feel that they are two people.
After growing up, Xiao's daughter was married to the youngest son of the Chen family. The Chen family was a small family, but she had many brothers. She said she was marrying into the Chen family, but in fact she raised the youngest son of the Chen family as the son of the Xiao family. The child born was naturally named Xiao, and the youngest son of the Chen family lived in the house owned by Mr. Xiao. In troubled times, the demise of a family was common, not to mention that the Chen family was just a small and unpopular family.
When the youngest son of the Chen family learned that his family was destroyed, he drank his sorrow day and night. Xiao's daughter couldn't bear to reconcile with him, so she took her daughter to live in the mountains. The youngest son of the Chen family fell into a river drunk because he was left unattended.
The servants are almost dead now. It was so hard to find the truth back then.
Maybe this Xiao Luolan is the daughter of the Xiao family, maybe not, but no, it doesn't stop her from being the daughter of the Xiao family in Qinghe in front of the world.
Now she is the Mistress of Youzhou.
The newly married wife of Zhou Manzi.
Chu Zhang rubbed his eyebrows. Apart from the identity of Xiao's daughter, there were several things that gave him a splitting headache. He picked up the letter written by Prince Bao to him and confirmed that Zhou Manzi had completely controlled Prince Bao. In this way , his handle fell into the hands of Zhou Manzi, which was really inappropriate. Thinking of this, he became more and more angry that Peng Hui did not complete the task.
But Peng Hui was already dead, and his accomplices were all strangled by the people in the court. This made Chu Zhang's anger never dissipate. Peng Hui would not be able to escape the blame even if he died. There was another incident that was widely circulated among the people. Chu and Wei share the world."
His good sister is coming, bringing her apology.
But his good sister Princess Huayin, the wife of Wei Guogong, came this time without her son.
Chu Zhang, the emperor of Chu, said with a cold expression on his lips: "Chu and Wei share the world."
Liu Hui on the side buried his head lower, as if he didn't hear.
Time passes gradually, and the rain sounds.
Chu Ye suddenly looked at Liu Hui: "Did anyone talk outside just now?"
Liu Hui immediately smiled and said: "To tell you the truth, Imperial Concubine Xi's heart disease has relapsed and she is currently ill in Penglai Palace. I want you to go and see her."
Only then did Chu Zhang's sinister expression reveal a smile. Only by being by Zheng Xi'er's side could he forget these troubles. The ridiculous excuse of a recurrence of heart disease seemed to him to be genuine and straightforward. But, he liked the way Zheng Xi'er behaved wantonly under his favor.
"Since Imperial Concubine Xi is ill, please come to Penglai Palace and let me have a look."
Liu Hui immediately went to prepare.
Before leaving, Chu Zhang glanced at the portrait of Mistress Youzhou on the royal table and wondered how Mrs. Huarong compared with his Xi'er.
Xiao's daughter was the woman Zhou Manzi loved and valued. As long as Chu Zhang thought of this, he couldn't help but compare it in his mind. His imperial concubine was so charming that she could be drawn into a painting with every frown and smile. She was so charming that she heard that the flower Mrs. Rong is the most beautiful woman in Youzhou. Her lips are slightly pursed in the portrait. She seems to be someone who doesn't like to smile. She is a little cold and gentle, but this does not detract from the woman's charm at all, but adds a mature flavor.
At the beginning of the lanterns, Chu Zhang arrived at Penglai Palace.
Zheng Xi'er, who was dressed up, leaned over with a happy face: "Why did it take so long for the emperor to come? I'm so impatient to wait."
Chu Zhang hugged his concubine into the inner room, sat down and said with a smile: "I heard that my concubine's heart disease has recurred. Let me take a look."
Zheng Xier's cheeks were flying, with a look of shame on her face: "I have a heart problem, and it can only be cured by seeing your majesty." After saying this, she spread her red lips, and the bone-deep fragrance lingered around Chu Zhang. Chu Zhang happily accepted the beauty's embrace. As he gave her a hug, he saw that under the light, his beloved concubine had a plump body, her charming peach blossom eyes were tender and sweet, and she always smiled affectionately whenever she looked at him.
Chu Zhang's mind moved slightly, and an idea suddenly appeared in his mind, and he didn't get out of hand.
"My beloved, close your eyes." Chu Zhang said.
Zheng Xier closed her eyes, with a sweet smile as sweet as sugar on her lips.
Chu Zhang stretched out his fingers and touched his beloved concubine's red lips. The scarlet lips were much redder than Mrs. Huarong's, but they didn't have any dew-like moisture. Chu Zhang felt agitated for no reason, and he pressed down. , said: "My beloved, don't laugh."
Imperial Concubine Xi, who had her eyes tightly closed, was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but open her eyes. His Majesty used to like her smile the most.
Chu Zhang stared at the charming face of Imperial Concubine Xi. She was stunned and lost her smile. She looked a little more fierce as a high-ranking concubine, but she still didn't have the temperament shown by Lady Huarong.
"My beloved, you want me to see it with a cold face? Frost Beauty seems to be pretty good too." Chu Zhang said flirtatiously.
Imperial Concubine Xi bit her lip and did as she was told in surprise. Chu Zhang looked at her and was finally a little satisfied, breathing a little heavier.
Zhou Manzi's women should not be as beautiful as his Xi'er, let alone a woman who has given birth to children. Although his Xi'er has a plump figure, she has never had a child.
In this comparison, his Xi'er should be slightly better.
But for some reason, Chu Zhang still felt inexplicably angry when he recalled Mrs. Huarong's mature, gentle and slightly cold temperament.
All kinds of dark thoughts deep in his mind made this emperor's eyes filled with crazy lust.
Chapter 179 (End of Chang’an Plot)
late at night.
As the candlelight flickered, Qi Nanhua sat in the study, with a letter in front of him and several pieces of paper with names written on them. All of them were based on his guesses that there might be officials in the court who belonged to Zhou Youzhou. Qi Nanhua Nan Hua's gaze moved around the Hanlin Academy, his eyes looking thoughtful.
The Xiao family of Qinghe is the mainstay of the Han clan in the court.
Wu Tongjie, one of the four heroes of Qinghe who was personally taught by Xiao Gong, is the governor of Guangling County and an important official of the party. Chen Qing is a Hanlin scholar and a member of the Zhongshushe. He stays by the emperor's side all year round, waiting for consultation. He has a close relationship with the emperor and is also a subordinate. One of the candidates for the post of prime minister, he has outstanding ability and is the leader of the poor clan in the court. The swordsman Chen Fu has superb swordsmanship. The last person is the deputy chief of Qinghe Mountain Academy.
Could it be them?
Qi Nanhua thought for a moment and overturned his guess, because the rumor that "Chu and Wei share the world" spread so fast that he was caught off guard and with a hint of fear. It seemed that overnight, there was a huge spread among the people. The scope began to spread. What does this mean? It means that besides him, Zhou Youzhou also has a powerful secret alliance, which is not something that the weak power of the poor family can do now. This guess made Qi Nanhua extremely honest after arriving in Chang'an.
Among the poor families in the imperial court, only Wu Tongjie is in the imperial court in Kyoto. Although he has the support of Hanzi from the south, he is still not as good as the great families who have been in Beijing for many years, such as the Pei family, the Duan family, the Xie family, and almost all the six tribes in the three provinces and central courts. Seeing the shadows of these big families, among them, the Xie family of Chang'an, as an old aristocratic family, has always been very stable, in a moderate and neutral position. It has never obviously offended any faction, and has never been close to any faction, but every one of the Xie family is High position and authority.
For example, his immediate boss, Xie Lingfu, the Minister of Rites, was one of the few positions in the imperial court that could provide him with a decent pension.
Another example is Xie Jize, the minister's minister and Ping Zhangshi, a golden and purple official, the real prime minister, and Xie Wanjun, the right servant of Shangshu, who is a very popular minister. Xie rarely participates in court struggles and is somewhat low-key. However, because they are both from aristocratic families, the relationship between the Xie family and other aristocratic families has always been quite good. Moreover, because the Xie family has outstanding appearance and grace, they are almost the fashion icon in Chang'an City.
Compared with the Xie family, the Duan family, Duan Shoucheng, and the Pei family rose rapidly. In the political affairs hall, almost all the prime ministers' team were members of aristocratic families. Duan Shoucheng was now vaguely headed. His people had penetrated into the Hanlin Academy and began to intervene. The decision-making work of the Hanlin Academy.
This is a dangerous signal. Qi Nanhua understands that in order to prevent the prime ministers from monopolizing power, under normal circumstances, the prime minister cannot interfere with the Hanlin Academy. The Holy Emperor uses the Hanlin Academy to sanction the power of the prime minister. If the right to speak and the power to handle all fall into the hands of one person , the political affairs hall becomes a one-word hall.
Fortunately, Chen Qing is still in the Hanlin Academy, making the final resistance.
According to Qi Nanhua, Duan Shoucheng was so powerful because he had Wei Yanshan as his backing.
This is normal. After all, they are from the same aristocratic family and belong to the same camp. Zhou Youzhou massacred many people from aristocratic families in his early years and was from a low-class background. Although he is sitting in thirteen counties in the North, he is a genuine man with hundreds of thousands of armors. Although he was a powerful vassal, most of the aristocratic families still looked down on Zhou Youzhou.
Yes, look down on it.
The name Zhou Manzi is not only spread in the North.
Qi Nanhua thought for a while but couldn't guess which force was Zhou Youzhou's secret hand, so he simply stopped thinking about it. Looking at the letter in his hand, he felt hot again.
During the day, after much thought, he still decided to inform Zhou Youzhou about what happened in the Xuanzheng Palace.
Burning the papers on the desk one by one, Qi Nanhua stared at the dancing candlelight. Now the court and the central government avoided talking about this murderous and heart-wrenching word "Chu and Wei, share the world." The officials in the court and the central government still dared to express their gratitude to the Holy Emperor. Do you propose to make Wei Yanshan the Grand Marshal of the World's Armed Forces?
The next day.
