In Shulan Palace, after a long time, Liu Chengyou came to visit the pregnant Concubine Zhou Shu. "The Empress of Zhou Dynasty" has been pregnant for nearly eight months now, with a round belly. She looks much richer, but her beauty cannot be concealed. There is always a little sadness in her fair face. Even if the emperor is happy, he is happy. There is also a little resentment.
The old doctor stretched out her hand and exposed her wrist. After checking her pulse carefully, the old doctor stood up and stepped back, bowing her body and reporting to the imperial concubine: "Concubine Shu, her pulse is normal and the fetus is fine, but she is restless and needs to be soothed." , I will prescribe another prescription for anti-fetus..."
"Stand back!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.
There was less of a hint of gloom in Madam Zhou's beautiful face. However, seeing the lingering melancholy between her brows, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh and stretched out his hand to caress her gently, wanting to talk about her melancholy and caress her. Average.
Liu Chengyou could also understand his performance. After all, she was a pregnant woman, and her emotions were always unstable. Perhaps because of personal values and the rules of the palace, she did not show too much excitement. But the kind of resentment between women in the palace is still a bit pitiful.
I remember that when she first entered the Han Palace, Lady Zhou was still a romantic girl who longed for love. Now her most lively youth has passed away. She has become accustomed to the life in the Han Palace, but after getting used to it, she gradually became numb, just like other concubines. We can hope that the emperor will occasionally give us a little favor, and then start the long and lonely waiting again.
Compared with the Queen and several other concubines, Concubine Zhou Shu was not favored. After Liu Chengyou experienced the initial pleasure of "collecting", she was tired of it. What she is good at and what she likes is not what Liu Chengyou is interested in. Concubine Zhou Shu could hardly gain much advantage based on her appearance alone. If she wanted to interest the emperor, uniform beauty was simply not enough.
In addition, Liu Chengyou is also a workaholic, so he doesn't have much time left for the harem. The queens and the others don't have enough time. What about Concubine Zhou Shu, who was taught by her father to keep a low profile and not argue?
At this time, feeling Liu Chengyou's warm touch, the slightly rough touch was very clear, and Mrs. Zhou's pretty face gradually turned red.
Noticing the blush on his face, Liu Chengyou said in a rare emotional tone: "You also heard what the imperial doctor just said. A depressed mood is not good for the fetus in the belly. I see that you are depressed, do you have any?" What is difficult to resolve? If you have any difficulties, talk to me. I am here to smile once in a blue moon!"
"Thank you for your concern. I have nothing to do with you. I just feel lonely due to the deep winter sun." After hearing the question, Lady Zhou responded softly.
And, taking advantage of the situation, he gently leaned into Liu Chengyou's arms, raised his head, and gave him a smile. But that smile was obviously a little forced.
Gently hugging Mrs. Zhou's plump waist, Liu Chengyou said warmly: "I know that since you were pregnant, I have cared less about you. But, the world is in a critical moment, and the Han Dynasty is getting more and more popular, so I have to I devote most of my energy to military and national affairs. Please forgive me if I feel wronged to you.
Hey, that's all, I'll comfort you with those high-sounding words. Although I am the emperor, I have a lot of worries. The palace is not a place of peace. It is difficult to give you love. I can only try my best to be calm and stable with you..."
Liu Chengyou's words were a bit scummy, not even sweet words were perfunctory, and even completely broke the last remaining thought in Madam Zhou's heart, but he was honest enough.
Leaning in his arms and smelling the emperor's scent, Mrs. Zhou's eyes seemed to be a little misty, but a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth: "When an official is free, he can still think about me. I am already satisfied. How can I ask for more?" ?”
After hearing what she said, Liu Chengyou kissed her forehead and said, "I will come to see you more from now on!"
With a beauty in my arms, I can't do anything else, but I can still find peace. It's a pity that the two couldn't stay together for long. Zhang Dejun was disappointed when he entered the house: "The official family, Zhao Chengzhi in Chongzheng Hall, seems to have something important to report!"
Hearing this, he frowned and looked at Mrs. Zhou apologetically. After some comfort from the man, the young lady's mood improved a bit. She smiled softly: "The official family is busy with state affairs, so please return to the palace. If you have urgent matters, don't delay. Got it!"
Liu Chengyou was not pretentious. He patted her on the shoulder and stood up to leave. After a few steps, he turned around, looked at Madam Zhou and said, "I think it's difficult for you to express your sadness, which is not good for raising a baby. This Shulan Palace is also a bit deserted." Yes, I have specially ordered that your mother and sister come into the palace and stay with you for a while, not only for conversation, but also for easy care!"
Feeling the emperor's care, Madam Zhou finally showed her face and seemed to be in better spirits. She smiled and said, "Thank you, official!"
After Liu Chengyou left, the beauty's pale jade lips pursed slightly, she was a little lost in thought. She slowly lowered her hand to her swollen belly and stroked it carefully. A smile gradually appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she looked much more calm. No matter what, it's always a good thing to be pregnant. No matter the man or woman, you will have someone to rely on in the palace from now on, so you won't be so lonely...
On Liu Chengyou's side, he returned to Chongzheng Hall, found Zhao Yao and asked, "What happened? It has been reported to Shulan Hall!"
Zhao Yao seemed to have a heavy expression and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Zizhou has reported that Duke Jing passed away during the mourning period!"
"What!" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows and almost stood up. His tone was a little anxious: "What's going on?"
"Jinggong has been overworked in government affairs for many years and has been suffering from chronic health problems. This time when his father died, he hurried back east to take care of the funeral. He was overwhelmed with grief, exhausted physically and mentally, and with the cold winter, he finally fell ill!" Zhao Huo said.
"What are the local officials doing? Jing Fan fell ill, why didn't he seek medical treatment?" Liu Chengyou's tone was filled with anger.
Zhao Huo explained: "Zizhou reported that Jinggong was ill, and a famous doctor was sent urgently, and the magistrate of the state came to visit him personally. However, Jinggong's condition became very serious, and it took a turn for the worse. It was difficult to treat with medicine and stone, and he passed away within seven days... .”
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but close his eyes and took a deep breath. Many complicated thoughts came to his mind. A few days ago, Jing Fan was mentioned, but when he heard the news again, it turned out to be bad news.
With a little sentimentality on his face, Liu Chengyou's low tone was a little unsteady: "Why is God so ruthless? I lost a good minister of my country!"
"Your Majesty, my condolences!" Zhao Yao comforted him in a low voice.
After a while, Liu Chengyou raised his finger: "Zhao Yao, record it!"
"yes!"
Liu Chengyou lamented and ordered: "Three days after the abolition of the dynasty, I pursued the Duke of Changshan County, Jingfan, and gave him five hundred households. He was given the title of Shangshu Ling, and his eldest son succeeded him in the title. He went to the Zizhou government, built a temple and erected a monument in his hometown, and assisted To deal with the affairs of the deceased. In addition, he wrote a Shinto inscription in the Hanlin Academy to record his achievements and conduct!"
The cold winter wind kept seeping through the gaps in the palace and penetrated into Liu Chengyou's heart, making him feel cold. Liu Chengyou felt really sad when he heard the news of the funeral. Unfortunately, many old ministers had died over the years, but only Jingfan made him feel this level of sadness.
Even when his father-in-law Gao Xingzhou died, he had never been so sentimental. However, what surprised Liu Chengyou was that Jing Fan's death was just the beginning. Since November 2, he was overwhelmed by the successive funeral reports.
On November 8, Taiyuan Prefecture reported that Taigu County Duke Zheng Renjie, who was recuperating in his hometown, died of illness.
On November 15, He Ning, the Minister of Rites, died of illness, and his son dedicated his posthumous work "The Collection of Doubtful Prisons".
On November 20, Luoyang reported that Shaanxi Duke Zhao Hui died of illness.
On November 24, Luoyang reported that Kuang Yi, the Duke of Jing State, died of illness.
On December 3, Luoyang reported that Liu Ci, the Duke of Guangping County, died of illness.
Funeral reports circulated frequently, and the entire month of November was basically spent in the "abolition of the dynasty" and Liu Chengyou's posthumous gift. Even if it weren't for these veteran heroes and there were signs before, Liu Chengyou would have doubted whether someone was plotting to harm his heroes. These people, all of whom were important figures in the Han Dynasty before returning home, died en masse...
As a result, rumors spread, and there was even direct speculation that the emperor wanted to kill the hero. In response, Liu Chengyou, who was in a bad mood, directly ordered a rectification operation in Tokyo City.
Wude Division and Kaifeng Prefecture officers all came out and arrested more than 200 people. In recent years, the imperial court has relaxed a lot of control over public opinion and speech, causing many people to lose their sense of awe and dare to discuss anything.
But this time, Liu Chengyou was rarely violent. After screening, the people he arrested had any malicious speculation or discussion, and they were all executed for the crime of deceiving the emperor. All of a sudden, more than a hundred heads rolled to the ground, allowing the people of Tokyo to experience the tyranny and darkness of the centralized monarchy.
Compared with Tokyo, the situation in Luoyang was more serious. In order to stop the rumors, Wang Yan, who stayed behind in Xijing, also acted cruelly and killed more than two hundred people. He killed first and reported later. After that, he was clean... ...
