An hour later.
In front of a huge palace gate, after hearing the coachman's words, Bai Yan opened the small window of the carriage and looked at the high wall passing by.
The carriage slowly stopped.
"General, we're here!"
The groom's voice sounded from the front, and then the curtain opened.
Bai Yan stood up and walked out of the carriage.
After getting off the carriage, looking at the huge palace in front of him, Bai Yan couldn't help but sigh, no wonder the Queen Mother Zhao dared to put Lao Ai in the palace without worrying about being discovered.
In addition to Lao Ai shaving his eyebrows, the long distance from Xianyang Palace is definitely another reason.
In front of the palace.
Several Qin soldiers guarding the gate of the palace were originally wary when they saw the men on horseback wearing cloth clothes and carrying swords. However, when they saw the young man getting off the carriage, everyone relaxed.
Although they have never seen the young man, it does not prevent everyone from seeing the young man wearing an official uniform of the Qin State and the crown on his head.
Left update? ? ? ?
Left update! !
Seeing the young man's Jue Bian, almost all the Qin soldiers and guards doubted their own eyes, and their staring eyes were full of disbelief.
When did Qin have such a young General Zuo Geng?
No, there is no Zuo Geng, but there is still one person among the generals of the Qin State.
Thinking of this, the Qin soldiers and guards looked at each other. In the Qin State, among the generals, the youngest general seemed to be Bai Yan of the Bai family.
Think of this.
Almost all the Qin soldiers guarding the main hall have recognized this young man wearing the official uniform of the Qin State, a general from the rank of Zuogeng.
When they saw the young man coming forward, all the Qin soldiers stood up straight and concentrated and held their breath.
"Excuse me, please let me know. Bai Yan wants to see the Queen Mother!"
Bai Yan stepped forward, bowed his hands and saluted the Qin soldiers guarding the main hall.
Even though Bai Yan was a general, his status was completely out of reach in the eyes of these Qin soldiers, but Bai Yan still had to practice etiquette and the like.
Especially for these Qin soldiers guarding the main hall.
"No! General, wait a moment!"
The leader of Qin soldiers heard Bai Yan's words and quickly returned the greeting. After speaking, he turned around and walked towards the palace.
Bai Yan stood outside the palace door.
While waiting, Bai Yan calmly looked at the palace in front of him.
According to rumors, after the defeat of Lao Ai, Queen Mother Zhao was first imprisoned in Dazheng Palace in Yongcheng, and then moved to another Xianyang Palace in Yongcheng. Finally, after Mao Jiao's advice, Yingzheng just left Yongcheng. Move the Empress Dowager Zhao to this Guiyang Palace.
This Guiyang Palace, also known as Beiyang Palace, was built during the reign of King Huiwen of Qin.
Looking at the palace in front of him, Bai Yan didn't know whether the things about Yongcheng were true or false.
"Um?"
Bai Yan unintentionally couldn't help showing an unexpected look when he saw a lake in the distance.
The huge lake is very beautiful. The huge lake is surrounded by tall trees and green shade. Even if it is close to winter, it still has a unique beauty. Even Bai Yan has rarely seen such stunning scenery.
If he had to wait for the transmission, Bai Yan couldn't help but go over and take a look at the panoramic view of the lake.
"This view! Beautiful!"
Bai Yan sighed in his heart.
Although Bai Yan has never been here, Bai Yan has heard someone mention that when Lao Ai rebelled, those who stood beside Lao Ai were not only the retainers and scholars that Lao Ai had kept in captivity in the past, but also Wei Wei Jie and Nei Shisi. , Zuo Gejie, Zhongdafu Lingqi and other 20 people.
The rebellion of these people made Ying Zheng extremely furious. After the car broke up Lao Ai, the other masterminds were all killed.
The Queen Mother Zhao was also angered.
Later, the Queen Mother Zhao was brought back by Ying Zheng because of Mao Jiao's risking his life to advise her.
However, according to rumors, although Ying Zheng ordered the Queen Mother to be moved back to Xianyang and placed in the Guiyang Palace with unique scenery in Xianyang, Ying Zheng has not come to see the Queen Mother several times.
Thinking of the contempt in Yingkan's eyes and a trace of neglect in his words when he mentioned Empress Dowager Zhao just now.
I am afraid that apart from the original cause of the Lao Ai Rebellion, it is also related to Ying Zheng's attitude.
Bai Yan looked at the lake in the distance and couldn't help but shake his head.
"The son wants to be raised but refuses to be kissed! He will not cherish what he gets, but once he loses it, he will regret it. After all, the king and the Queen Mother Zhao are mother and son, and they have been dependent on each other in Handan since they were young. In the past few years, I have heard about the royal families. Even if you don’t respect the Queen Mother Zhao, if the Queen Mother Zhao is not here one day, in Ying Zheng’s heart, your words and deeds in the past will change."
Bai Yan sighed in his heart.
The experiences of the Queen Mother Zhao and the King in the early years destined their relationship between mother and son to be far greater than that of other people. Now that the Queen Mother Zhao is still alive, Ying Zheng can still be ruthless!
But if the Queen Mother Zhao dies, then Ying Zheng will remember the experience he had with the Queen Mother Zhao when he was a child.
The grace of raising children has always been there, and Ying Zheng will never forget it in this life.
Not to mention, this trip still goes to Handan, where Ying Zheng and the Queen Mother were in trouble together, and they have special memories.
From the beginning to the end, Bai Yan had been guessing in his mind that what Lao Ai wanted to get rid of at that time was not Ying Zheng, but the Chu clan of Qin and the Queen Mother Huayang headed by the Chu clan.
To succeed to the throne by killing a King of Qin is to underestimate the Qin clan and the ministers in the court. Which of these are good people? The power of the Queen Mother Zhao comes from Ying Zheng. When Ying Zheng dies, the Queen Mother Zhao, as a mother, It is the first to lose the largest source of power.
It is impossible for an heir without the blood of Qin's clan to inherit the throne. Qin's ministers will not agree, Qin's royal family will not agree, and even Chu and Wei will send Qin Gongzi back to Qin to succeed to the throne.
"General!"
Bai Yan looked at the lake in the distance, heard Qin Zu's words coming from behind, and turned to look at Qin Zu.
"General, the Queen Mother invites you!"
Qin Zu came to Bai Yan and handed over his hands to report.
Bai Yan nodded, and after briefly raising his hand in return, he looked at the trusted soldiers in civilian clothes holding swords outside the mansion.
Counting the time, Yanmao should have led the cavalry army to Xianyang today.
"Yi, take two people and go to the city gate with my seal in hand. If you see the army arriving in Xianyang, tell Yanmao to camp in the west!"
After Bai Yan asked his cronies to come over, he took out his seal and gave it to the cronies.
Generally speaking, it is enough to escort the king to Handan and station at the east gate. After all, Handan is to the east, and he will head east when setting off in the future.
The west side is not only opposite to the east side, but also faces the direction of Pingyang and Yongcheng.
But this time, Bai Yan wanted to arrange for the cavalry army to camp in the west.
"promise!"
When Yi heard Bai Yan's words, he quickly handed over his hands and made a ceremony. After receiving the seal, he led two soldiers in black clothes and rode towards the city gate.
Bai Yan looked at Yi's leaving figure, turned around, followed the maid who came out with Qin Zu, and walked towards the palace gate in front of him.
After a while.
Walking in the Guiyang Palace, looking at the scenery along the way and the countless maids, Bai Yan followed the maids all the way.
After walking through the corridors, Bai Yan didn't see the maid stop for a long time.
When Bai Yan was wondering, he suddenly saw that the maid had taken him to the back hall and left through the back hall door.
Bai Yan, who had just walked out of the back, looked from a distance and saw a pavilion on a lake in the distance. The lake was obviously connected to the lake seen in the front hall.
Looking at the several figures in the pavilion and the person sitting among them.
Bai Yan followed the maid and slowly stepped forward.
"Queen Mother, General Bai Yan has been brought here!"
After the maid brought Bai Yan into the pavilion, she bowed to the back of a man wearing Qin silk clothes and gold hairpins and jade ornaments.
Bai Yan also raised his hands.
"Bai Yan, a humble minister, pays homage to the Queen Mother!"
Bai Yan complied with the etiquette and was meticulous in etiquette. Because she was Ying Zheng's biological mother and the Queen Mother of Qin, Bai Yan was performing the first ceremony this time.
"General Bai, there is no need to be polite!"
A mature woman's voice came, and after Bai Yan heard it, he slowly stood up.
However, when he looked up, Bai Yan's eyes were full of surprise when he saw the Queen Mother Zhao who had just returned the gift and raised her head.
Looking at the Queen Mother Zhao in front of him, Bai Yan couldn't believe that this woman who looked like she was only in her thirties was actually the Queen Mother Zhao who was already fifty years old.
Bai Yan could clearly see from the cheeks of the woman in front of him how beautiful the woman was in the past. In terms of allure and beauty, this young woman was probably even more conceited than Zhao Qiu when she was young. In terms of appearance alone, this young woman was vaguely... She is still a little taller, and Zhao Qiu has a black mole under the corner of his eye, also called a small tear mole, which the young woman does not have.
"General Bai came here today. What do you mean?"
Zhao Ji looked at the young Bai Yan and asked with a soft smile.
Bai Yan came to his senses and quickly raised his hands to prepare the ceremony.
"Back to the Queen Mother, today the King has specially ordered Bai Yan and Lord Yingkan to arrange the escort for the trip to Handan. Bai Yan comes to report to the Queen Mother."
Bai Yan said.
After speaking, Bai Yan saw Queen Mother Zhao nodding.
By this time the maid had also brought the fruit.
"sit down!"
Zhao Ji looked at Bai Yan and said softly.
As for Yingkan to deal with other matters first and not come here, neither Bai Yan nor Zhao Ji said anything.
"Thank you Queen Mother!"
Bai Yan returned the gift with his hand, and then followed the maid to sit behind another wooden table in the pavilion, where he knelt down.
Looking at the calm lake water from the corner of his eye, when Bai Yan sat down, he looked at the Queen Mother Zhao who was kneeling on the other side of the pavilion with complicated eyes.
After all, Bai Yan knew it.
The Empress Dowager Zhao who is living in front of her now probably only has about half a year to live.
"I heard that General Bai previously attacked Zhao for Qin and made great achievements!"
Zhao Ji looked at the young Bai Yan and said with a smile.
I remembered what Mao Jiao once said about this young man. In his words, he said that the king attached great importance to the young man. Later, he heard about the things this young man did in Zhao land.
Zhao Ji has been looking for an opportunity to meet this descendant of the Bai family for a long time.
See it now.
She was really frightened by the appearance of this young man. It was hard for her to imagine that such a not-so-burly young man was leading the troops outside, and it was the rumored Bai Yan.
"Wei Chen is too embarrassed to deserve it. Bai Yan has the king's trust. When Zhao was destroyed before, it was a small thing that he was lucky to be able to share the king's worries. How can Bai Yan claim his merits?"
Bai Yan cupped his hands and replied.
After the words fell, Bai Yan saw Zhao Ji shaking her head.
"You are so young and your words are so humble. No wonder the king likes General Bai!"
Zhao Ji's words made Bai Yan a little confused. He didn't know whether it was a compliment or because he was glib.
Bai Yan, who didn't know how to answer, could only smile awkwardly and bowed his hands in front of the Queen Mother Zhao.
After seeing Queen Mother Zhao put away her smile, she sighed melancholy and turned to look at the lake in the distance. Bai Yan remained silent. After all, it was the first time they met, and Bai Yan was not familiar with Queen Mother Zhao. So he spoke rashly, but he didn't say anything. good.
After all, Bai Yan knew that if his memory was correct, Queen Mother Zhao's life span would not be long now.
If Queen Mother Zhao has a bad impression of her right now, even if it is just a misunderstanding, she may not have time to resolve it in the future.
"The general was dealing with robbery and selling in Yanmen. I heard that he killed many people and offended many powerful nobles!"
Zhao Ji said.
After saying that, Zhao Ji turned her head and looked directly at Bai Yan.
Bai Yan faced Empress Dowager Zhao's gaze and bowed her hands in ceremony.
"Bai Yan offended some people with the robbery and selling of Yanmen!"
Bai Yan said.
There was no need for Bai Yan to hide this matter, so he admitted it openly.
After all, everyone now knows about Yanmen.
Inside the pavilion.
Zhao Ji raised the corners of her mouth and looked at Bai Yan with interest.
"I heard that so many people have been offended, and even the Meng family and many Chu officials have already complained about the general in their hearts?"
Zhao Ji asked pretending to be curious.
Zhao Ji didn't say the next words, but Zhao Ji knew that the young man would be able to hear what she meant.
And the young man must know in his heart that if there is a chance, no one will let him go!
When Zhao Ji thought of this, a hint of sadness and a hint of hidden hatred flashed through her eyes that were originally calm and seemed to have always been smiling.
"Bai Yan is not very clear about this matter. Regarding the robbery and sale of Yanmen, Bai Yan only acted in accordance with the law and has no regrets!"
Bai Yan replied.
Feeling that Empress Dowager Zhao was looking directly at him, Bai Yan did not look at her, but when he spoke, his slightly lowered eyes were very clear, without any dodge or uncertainty.
Inside the pavilion.
Zhao Ji looked at Bai Yan, and finally she smiled with the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
"The king did not see the wrong person!"
Zhao Ji said.
Having been living alone in Guiyang Palace, Zhao Ji can see through many things better than before.
Therefore, rather than directly asking the boy if he had any regrets, Zhao Ji wanted to see with her own eyes how the boy looked when he answered.
When something is not mentioned but involves one's own affairs, and one is unprepared, a person's eyes will not deceive others.
The young man just now talked about Yanmen. When he heard her asking if she had offended anyone, the young man's eyes did not dodge or wander from beginning to end.
Maybe Zhao Ji can understand.
Why did Mao Jiao praise this young man so much, and the king also trusted this young man.
"Cough~"
Zhao Ji suddenly coughed.
When Bai Yan heard Queen Mother Zhao's laughter, she raised her head in confusion, and then saw Queen Mother Zhao, who was originally smiling, suddenly covering her chest and coughing in pain.
See this.
Bai Yan frowned slightly, looking at Queen Mother Zhao as if she was ill.
Watching the maid beside the Queen Mother Zhao, constantly stroking the Queen Mother Zhao's back, Bai Yan thought for a moment, and then raised her hands after the Queen Mother Zhao calmed down.
"The Queen Mother seems to be unwell. Can you check the doctor's pulse?"
Bai Yan asked with concern on his face.
Queen Mother Zhao panted, feeling the maid's comfort. When she heard Bai Yan's words, she turned her head and looked at Bai Yan.
Then Zhao Ji couldn't help but laugh, and couldn't remember how long it had been since she had seen such a look.
"I've seen it, it's just hard work!"
Zhao Ji said softly.
I don't know if it's because I tested the young man just now, or because of the young man's eyes now, or the gentleness in Zhao Ji's voice.
"Overworked?"
Bai Yan heard what Empress Dowager Zhao said and repeated it softly. After thinking for a few breaths, he said nothing.
But the doubtful look in his eyes clearly didn't quite believe it.
Xianyang Palace.
After just going down to court and dealing with a lot of busy chores, Ying Zheng was eating lunch while looking at the bamboo slips.
Suddenly a eunuch hurried in, holding a roll of bamboo slips in his hand.
"Your Majesty, this is the bamboo slip presented by Zuo Geng and Bai Yan."
The eunuch came to Ying Zheng and handed over his report.
Hear the words.
Ying Zheng was a little surprised. Bai Yan had just left more than two hours ago, so now he was sending bamboo slips.
Thinking of Bai Yan's thoughtful look in the court before, with curiosity, Ying Zheng reached out and took the bamboo slip from the eunuch's hand, and slowly opened it.
However, looking at the content inside, Ying Zheng's expression was not very good.
"I'm sending you an order to have the Imperial Physician Ling and the Imperial Physician Cheng go to Guiyang Palace to check the Queen Mother's pulse!"
Ying Zheng said softly.
After saying that, he put the bamboo slips away, put them aside, and continued to look at the bamboo slips just now.
(End of chapter)
