"Bingkuan, you told me before that you would make people upset because of a little military merit. I believe you."
"It seems that you have decided to keep one side and give up the other."
Zhu Youtang thought that Zhang Zhou had analyzed in front of him the possibility of disputes over military merit after the two towns sent troops, so he stopped worrying about it.
"In short, the result I wanted, the great victory in Huangshui, has been achieved. This year, there are four battles and four victories in Pianguan, Ningyuan, Weininghai and Huangshui. My wish has been achieved, and it can be considered a successful ending. Haha."
Regarding military exploits and the like, Zhu Youtang wanted to leave the matter to Zhang Zhou to worry about.
And he himself can just enjoy the joy of victory.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will coordinate as appropriate."
"Okay, you come out of the palace with me tonight, I will take you somewhere, and then I will take you to meet someone." Zhu Youtang said with a proud look on his face.
"..."
Zhang Zhou was thinking.
If you feel joy at this time, shouldn't you share it with your mother-in-law and son?
You actually want to leave the palace and take me to meet someone?
This is very particular.
…
…
Zhu Youtang was dressed in casual clothes and came out of the palace with Zhang Zhou.
He didn't take a carriage, he just walked out, but after leaving the palace gate, there would be a sedan waiting for him.
"It was not easy for me to come out even once in the past, but recently I often come in and out of the palace. Sometimes I want to be a guest at your house, but I know you are too busy and don't want to disturb you."
Zhu Youtang narrowed his eyes and smiled.
Zhang Zhou was also thinking about it. It seemed that the victory at Huangshui was not the only thing that pleased the emperor. There seemed to be other things.
Zhang Zhou said: "If your Majesty wants to visit, just send someone to tell me first, and I will receive you well."
"No need." Zhu Youtang said, "It's not good to bother you all the time. You have done too much for the court this year, and I have nothing to give you back. I also asked someone to prepare a ride for you. You go Just sit down."
What Chengluan means is an ordinary sedan chair.
Zhang Zhouxin said that maybe the emperor didn't know what to call some things that were used by the people.
…
…
Under the strict escort of the palace guards, the two arrived at the theater in the city.
This place can't be called strange. At this time, the sky has just darkened, and lanterns are still hanging in the theater.
Originally, this place was opened on the street by Zhang Zhou for business purposes, but he never welcomed guests. In Zhang Zhou's opinion, this place probably became Zhu Youtang's entertainment, or even a place where the golden house hides his beauty.
The two of them went inside and when they got upstairs, there was a woman standing there waiting.
Zhang Zhou had met this woman before, and it was Chang Ning Bo Zhou Yu who sent her to meet her, and also asked her to teach her singing skills and other skills.
"No courtesy." Zhu Youtang said to the woman, smiled and stepped back from the screen, and then pulled the woman's hand over. The woman also looked shy.
Zhang Zhou looked embarrassed.
It's like seeing something you shouldn't see.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "I won't hide it, dear concubine, come and see Bingkuan, you can just call him Mr. Zhang."
"My slave has met Mr. Zhang." The woman's voice was very soft.
Zhang Zhou cupped his hands and said, "I have met this little noble man."
"Bingkuan, you don't have to call her that, just call her by her real name, Xiaolian. Thanks to you for bringing me to see her... now she... is pregnant." Zhu Youtang said with a happy look on his face.
Zhang Zhou quickly said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
Congratulations, but also thinking.
Xiaolian?
It can't be Zheng Jinlian, right?
There should be no connection between the two. As far as Zhang Zhou knows, the so-called Zheng Jinlian does not seem to exist. These days, it is also very common for women to have names like Lian, Cui, and Ping.
"Haha, your prescription is indeed effective. My health has improved greatly. I have been thinking about her recently." Zhu Youtang looked at this woman, his expression...
From Zhang Zhou's point of view, it was like a heartless scumbag who had an affair but had to hide it. It felt almost the same.
Zhang Zhou was also thinking.
You are an emperor, do you still need to be so secretive when looking for a woman?
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know whether to say it or not."
Zhu Youtang nodded and then said: "My beloved concubine, Bingkuan and I still have state affairs to discuss. You can go down and rest first. Come back and watch the show with me later."
"Yes, slave, please leave."
The woman looked very graceful and went out under the guidance of the little eunuch.
…
…
"Bingkuan, just tell me what you have to say." Zhu Youtang asked Zhang Zhou to sit down first and didn't ask anyone to serve tea or anything. He didn't seem to stick to those things.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, this little noble lady is pregnant. Shouldn't she consider entering the palace?"
"Alas!" Zhu Youtang sighed heavily, "I didn't want you to get involved, but now it's precisely because of this that I can't figure it out, so I have to discuss it with you."
Zhang Zhou will know it just by looking at it.
Even Zhu Youtang became anxious about the new concubine entering the palace.
Normally, you can have a little love and live a petty bourgeois life of hiding your love in a golden house outside the palace, but once you get pregnant, things will be extraordinary.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty is the ninth-five-year-old, so this shouldn't be difficult, right?"
Zhu Youtang sighed with a face full of vicissitudes of life: "I don't know how to tell the queen. I always feel that I have let the queen down. I originally wanted to have a more prosperous life with the queen, but unfortunately... Bingkuan, I want to I want to do something well without the Queen’s approval, what do you think we should do?”
You can live up to your beloved wife, and you want to live up to your mistress?
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, you are the emperor, let alone the colorful flags flying outside, even if you have a colorful flag party at home, the queen can't do anything to you.
When the emperor thinks you are so useless...
After thinking about it for a while, Zhang Zhou also felt puzzled, how could an emperor act like he was in strict control of his wife?
You have the fucking courage to find a woman, but don’t have the courage to tell your wife?
Zhang Zhou asked: "Your Majesty is not worried that the Queen will not agree, nor is he worried that the ministers of the DPRK will criticize him, right?"
Zhu Youtang lowered his head, as if a man who had done something wrong was asking for help from his friend: "I hope that the queen can not only accept it, but also live in harmony with her. I know that you have always been experienced in managing inner court affairs, so I …”
Can you compare with me?
Zhang Zhouxin said, this should be the other way around, I can't compare with you.
"Your Majesty, in fact, this matter depends more on your attitude. As long as you insist on doing something, nothing can't be done." Zhang Zhou said, "As long as your Majesty shows your attitude, I think the Queen, as the Lord of the Sixth Palace, should I understand His Majesty’s difficulties. After all, the Imperial Palace is His Majesty’s Palace, and the Sixth Palace is His Majesty’s Sixth Palace.”
Zhu Youtang looked aggrieved and said, "But I am so cruel that I don't know how to tell the queen."
Zhang Zhouxin said, that's it.
If your attitude is not firm, Queen Zhang will naturally see that your husband is a coward, and then she will make a big fuss.
"And I'm also worried that if a commoner girl enters the palace and no one protects her, something bad may happen to her. My mother-in-law... Alas! In the palace, there are too many interests entangled. In fact, I I also thought about letting Xiao Lian stay outside the palace and not enter the palace, so that there would be less trouble."
Being an emperor actually has to raise a woman outside the palace?
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, do you want me to tell the queen?"
Zhu Youtang was speechless for a moment.
Husbands are too embarrassed to mention it to their wives, but they ask their friends to tell their wives?
He also knew that this would make him look useless and put Zhang Zhou in a bit of trouble.
After all, no matter how dissatisfied Empress Zhang is, she can't do anything to her husband who is the emperor. But as a minister, Zhang Zhou may not be treated well after he said those words.
"If it is really difficult for Your Majesty to talk to the Queen, I am willing to do it for you and do my best to get the matter done." Zhang Zhou said.
"Okay." Zhu Youtang finally nodded.
Zhang Zhou also saw that Zhu Youtang probably came here for this purpose.
If there is no way out, find a way.
When the emperor spread his wings, Zhang Zhou knew where Zhu Youtang wanted to fly.
To put it bluntly, didn't he want to use his status as a half-immortal to use some mysterious things to coax and deceive Empress Zhang, and then let Empress Zhang offer to take a concubine for her husband?
An old tool man.
…
…
The matter was settled.
Zhu Youtang was in a good mood.
"Bingkuan, I plan to change her place first." Zhu Youtang said with a spring breeze on his face, "Although she was taken care of before entering the palace, she was afraid that she would not be taken care of well, and this place would be too unsightly. If anyone treats her badly, If it’s not good…”
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, how could anyone do anything against such a noble person?"
"This...I don't know what to say..." Zhu Youtang hesitated.
Zhang Zhou then thought of what the Empress Dowager Zhou had said to him before.
This woman had a sister who had a past with Zhu Youtang. However, this woman's sister later died violently. It was precisely because of the guilt that Zhu Youtang felt about this sister that he opened his heart to accept her.
Therefore, the things Queen Mother Zhou arranged were quite particular.
Just being beautiful and understanding can't open Zhu Youtang's heart at all.
Then Zhang Zhou had to think about whether the person who killed Sister Xiaolian was Queen Mother Zhou or Queen Zhang.
What happened in the palace... who can tell clearly?
"Your Majesty, there are many places in the capital that can accommodate people, but Your Majesty is still worried, right?" Zhang Zhou asked tentatively.
"Yes." Zhu Youtang didn't hide it either.
To put it bluntly, I am afraid that my beloved concubine, who has not yet passed the marriage, will die violently.
Not only is there the matter of my beloved sister, but also my mother... Don't mention who killed her, in short, my mother was a victim of the palace struggle.
A woman who is pregnant with a dragon seed is likely to give birth to my second son. The entanglement behind this is huge. The point is that she cannot enter the palace yet... If she is placed in any place where she can be noticed, It's possible that her death will be random.
"I believe that it doesn't matter where a person is, the most important thing is to find someone trustworthy to protect him. It's best to be one who can't be hijacked by others." Zhang Zhou said.
"Bingkuan, you better understand me. I think so too." Zhu Youtang felt that Zhang Zhou was his soulmate.
Logically speaking, the emperor's woman is still pregnant, who dares to harm her?
Hey.
Since ancient times, there are really many concubines who have been victims of palace struggles.
It doesn’t have to be to kill her, a bowl of abortion pills is often enough... Those who want to kill the emperor’s women are not necessarily going against the emperor. Many people are simply being held hostage... In case the queen asks you to do it, don’t do it. This woman will kill your whole family...I wonder if she will harm you?
What Zhang Zhou wants is not whether this person is loyal to him, but more whether he is afraid of being restrained by the palace interest groups.
Zhu Youtang almost said, Bingkuan, you must be the person to protect me.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I heard that this girl was taken in by Changning Bo Mansion for a while before she came to the theater."
Send it back where it came from.
No matter how bastard Zhou Yu is, she should listen to her sister, Queen Mother Zhou, right? Will Zhou Yu harm this woman?
"Bingkuan, it's not that I haven't thought about Uncle Chang Ning, it's just... you know, some things are inconvenient. I will take her into the palace later, from the palace of Uncle Chang Ning... What should the ministers in the court think about this matter?" Zhu Youtang looked troubled.
Zhang Zhou said: "I'm afraid it's not suitable for me to live in my house."
Zhu Youtang nodded: "What I mean is that you decide where to place her, and who she protects is up to you. There is no need to explain her identity to the outside world, and the queen must be informed as soon as possible."
Zhang Zhou wanted to say.
Your Majesty, you are quite capable of causing problems for others.
Since the place of placement is in the palace of a minister, if a pregnant woman enters the palace, the minister will doubt the bloodline of your concubine's child.
You are also afraid that people around you will know, so as not to be blackmailed by your wife or others, take away your child, or even kill your woman... Even if you are entangled in being an emperor, do you still want to let your ministers be entangled?
Zhang Zhou was not an ordinary person. He said: "Your Majesty, what do you think of the lady's residence before the festival?"
"Huh?" Zhu Youtang frowned.
This refers to Ning Tong.
You don't want to leave your pregnant concubine in a man's home, and you also want to cover it up. Apart from a home headed by a woman, are there any other options?
But these days, it's hard to find such a family.
It's best to have someone who doesn't have a man in the house and doesn't usually come into contact with any men... Zhang Zhou thought about it and it seemed that Ning Tong was the only one suitable.
"Your Majesty, this former Madam Zhu is now the Ning family. She is doing some women's cosmetics business. She will never have contact with any men." Zhang Zhou said, "Hermitage in the city is also a kind of thing in her house. It's a good cover. I can send two capable maids at home to help. On the pretext that someone is harassing the former wife of Marquis Anbian, I will send a few of my own guards to protect Zhou Quan..."
The so-called skilled maids are naturally the two brought here by Wang Mingshan.
"It's good. Letting Xiaolian live in the same courtyard as Zhijie's wife doesn't insult her status." Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with Zhang Zhou's arrangement.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, do you think you should explain this matter clearly to Ning?"
Zhu Youtang thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "Bingkuan, it's best not to cause trouble."
Zhang Zhou understood.
Zhu Youtang is not doing his job to get through to his wife now, and he is also afraid that Ning Tong will know about it and even leak it, which will become a scandal.
"Then the minister said that he is from an old friend's family and wants to find a temporary residence in the capital." Zhang Zhou said.
"Okay." Zhu Youtang nodded again, "After the matter is completed, I will not treat Ning's daughter badly. I will give her some money so that she can live a better life and even... remarry."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty has been thoughtful. It should be Ning's honor."
"Bingkuan, let's not just talk about it. Let's drink tea and listen to the opera together. I have many things to ask you tonight... With the battle of Huangshui, this year's affairs can be considered settled. Before the spring of next year , we monarchs and ministers should also take a good rest. Try to do a few more big things in the coming year." Zhu Youtang will be proud of his career and family.
Zhang Zhou suddenly had more children, and the spring-like smile on his face made Zhang Zhou uncomfortable.
This is really different from Zhu Youtang's dead fish face before.
"Your Majesty is right. I also want to have more children in my family. It happens that I can't go anywhere in this winter, but I have to work hard." Zhang Zhou smiled.
"Okay, okay. Bingkuan, my beloved concubine... I leave it to you."
Zhu Youtang probably had the intention of entrusting his wife to sacrifice his son.
…
…
Zhu Youtang stayed in the theater that night to spend time with his beloved concubine.
Zhang Zhouze was not ignorant. After watching a play and eating, he wanted to go back.
He was not in a hurry to go to Ning Tong to make arrangements. In fact, Ning Tong had asked someone to see him recently. He didn't know whether Ning Tong planned to discuss business with him again or question him. Anyway, Zhang Zhou didn't go to see him recently.
If I want to see Ning Tong, I can't go there late at night. I will naturally see her when I see Xiao Lian off the next day.
What if Ning Tong disagrees?
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, I'm sorry, but you don't have the right to choose someone.
"Brother Zhang." Zhang Zhou came out of the theater and went directly to his mansion in the north of the city.
At the door, they saw Zhu Feng waiting anxiously. Because everyone knew him as Marquis Anbian, who was also known as Zhang Zhou's close comrade-in-arms, no one dared to chase Zhu Feng away.
It was also because Zhu Feng now had a high reputation in the military, and no one dared to offend him.
"What are you doing here?" Zhang Zhou frowned.
Zhu Feng personally held the lantern, walked closer, and said with a mournful face: "Grandma is sick and bedridden. She said she wanted my father to come back to visit, so..."
Mrs. Zhu Hu of the Zhu family is sick?
Zhang Zhouxin said, with the cunningness of the old lady, she could not have deliberately pretended to be ill and took the opportunity to transfer his son back from the dangerous Ningxia, and then take the opportunity to intercede with Zhang Zhou and transfer Zhu Fu back to Nanjing to serve as a guard?
Zhang Zhou said: "Go in and talk. What do you look like standing at the door?"
…
…
The two of them entered the courtyard together and arrived at the main hall.
After sitting down, Zhu Feng poured out his bitterness, saying that his grandmother was ill and hoped that his father would come back soon, as the old lady needed to stay on the sickbed.
Zhang Zhou said: "When Gaotang is sick, a son's father should stay by his bedside. This is also the filial piety that Your Majesty has always admired. It's time to bring it up to Your Majesty. I think Your Majesty will be accommodating to you."
"That's good, that's good." Zhu Feng felt that he had fulfilled his mission.
"By the way Zhijie, after you returned to the capital, did you go see...the person you used to be?" Zhang Zhou asked.
"who?"
Zhu Feng thought about it for a while and realized that it was Ning Tong he was talking about.
He shook his head: "I wanted to see you, but she said that since it doesn't matter anymore, there is no need to see you again. But she wants to see you."
really.
Zhang Zhou wanted to say that when Ning Tong wanted to find connections to meet him, the first channel she thought of was her ex-husband.
She had to make peace with her family, and after the divorce was over, she still had to use the resources of her ex-husband's family.
Why bother?
Now that you are divorced, can you live the harmonious married life you want?
(End of chapter)
