Qi Lingzhan went back to Long Temple to see Yi Yi in order to understand the prophecy.
"You once gave me two prophecies, 'Fire will cook the brocade, and the flying snow will fall across the vast expanse'."
Qi Lingzhan sat down with a pair of desks, slowly turned the jianzhan in his hand, and said: "Now my sister-in-law has passed away, and she is flying to the west like a swan. Her spare fingers and claws are on the muddy road, which makes people confused. She responded to the last sentence, but I don’t know how to interpret the previous sentence?”
He got a message: "Prophecies come from the heart, the prince might as well understand it himself first."
Qi Lingzhan turned to look out the window and said, "In my opinion, the previous sentence should be a metaphor for Zhao Wei."
Zhaowei did not disturb them. She was grabbing a handful of grain and feeding the pigeons in the courtyard. The sunlight shone on her face, like a pure and dustless beauty.
"What she wants right now is like throwing brocade and silk into the fire. The brocade is splendid for a moment, but the quality of the brocade is destroyed in the blink of an eye. What good ending can there be... I can't bear to see her like this."
Deyi said: "Your Majesty has a heart that cannot tolerate others. This is a great good thing. But when interpreting prophecies, you might as well look at yourself."
Qi Lingzhan said: "I ask for nothing, and I am not afraid of life or death, but my family..."
"Asking for others is also asking for something. If you ask for something, the golden bell will cover your eyes and your spiritual roots will not be clear." Deyi pushed a cup of water in front of Qi Lingzhan. The water surface swayed slightly, glowing with the sparkling golden light of the sun entering the room. He asked Qi Lingzhan: "Why is the prince so sure that Zhaowei is brocade and silk, and not the fire that cooks brocade?"
This statement made Qi Lingzhan slightly startled.
In the courtyard, Zhaowei lost her patience and raised the grain in her hand into the air. Pigeons were flying all over the ground around her, their wing feathers lifting up her plain clothes when they brushed against her. She stood calmly among them, her expression unchanged.
Brocade and silk are delicate and soft, and are indeed not of the nature of light. It can be said that she is a burning fire...
Qi Lingzhan also couldn't figure it out, "She is the fire, who is the brocade?"
De did not answer, but pointed to two landscape pictures on the wall. One showed high cliffs on all sides, surrounded by craggy rocks, and the other showed a distant view of Cangshan Mountain, illuminated by the morning light.
Qi Lingzhan said: "I don't know where the left one is, but I can recognize the right one. It should be Huilong Mountain. The cornice exposed in the upper left corner is the glazed top of the stupa of Huilong Temple."
Deyi smiled and said: "The left picture is also Huilong Mountain. You know the second but not the first, you know it is far but not the near, just because you are here."
In the midst of the raging fire, the authorities are confused, and they look around and don't know who is the treasure.
Qi Lingzhan was silent after hearing the words. After a while, he stood up and bowed to him.
"It seems that the prince has come to his senses."
"If that's the case, it's not a bad thing," Qi Lingzhan said gently, "Since I'm already there, I'm willing to hold the torch myself."
He stood up to say goodbye, and Zhaowei also entered the room to say goodbye.
When she was living in Huilong Temple, she was cared for and taught by Duo Meng De Yi, whom she considered a close friend. De Yi already knew her plans and expected that it would be difficult to meet her in the future, so he gave her the Bodhi beads he had worn for many years.
He also told her: "You have an extraordinary destiny. May you be calm in the face of big events, and have good thoughts when making plans. Please remember this."
Zhao Wei pulled up her skirts and bowed deeply before leaving with her elder brother.
Summer solstice in June.
It had been several months since Queen Xiangyi died of illness. Because no evidence was found that Concubine Yao ordered Qi Pingzhi to change the medicine, the criticism of her by non-Yao parties gradually turned into a chaotic attack, and then ended without any cure. All eyes inside and outside the court fell on the vacant post. The Yao Party wanted to recommend Yao Guifei, but the non-Yao Party got the idea from somewhere, went against the Yao family's ways, and bet all their money on Zhaowei.
It got hot early this year, the cicadas kept chirping outside the Political Hall, and the sun was so hot that people felt itchy. Ice was provided in the yamen early. Since Emperor Changning was away from court for several months, the officials under Zhongshu were idle and bored. They gathered together with bowls of bean paste and ice to shoot the cake.
Shooting is a game played by literati. One person alludes to something in a hidden word. If someone guesses correctly, he or she will respond with the same hidden word, or point to the same point, or respond in harmony, so that it becomes tacit and seamless.
Deng Wenyuan, who carried out the mission of Beimen, first responded with a slang saying: "The rich water should not flow to outsiders' fields."
Everyone thought hard and couldn't figure it out for a while. Yao Bingfeng suddenly slapped the table and said: "I got it, it's like 'a good horse eats only one household' of grass'!"
As soon as these words came out, some people's expressions changed slightly, some laughed and said nothing, and the flattering idiot came up to Yao Bingfeng and said, "I am a stupid official, please ask me, what is the meaning of this shot?"
Yao Bingfeng said proudly: "The fields of brothers among the people are connected. The elder brother dug trenches to divert water, and it also flows through the younger brother's fields. This is because the fertile water does not flow into other people's fields. What is covered is 'brothers end up with younger brothers'."
The founding emperor of the Zhou Dynasty seized the throne from the orphaned and widowed mother of the previous dynasty and established himself on his own. He was extremely afraid of the suspicion of his young master, so when he died, he passed the throne to his younger brother, setting a precedent for this "brother eventually succeeds to younger brother". Although this matter happened more than a hundred years ago, after all, it was the ancestor of this dynasty, and it was alluding to dynasty affairs. Many people were afraid of being accused of being disrespectful, so they did not dare to answer after hearing this, even the idiot who asked. He also sneered and left.
But Yao Bingfeng grabbed him and smiled half-heartedly: "Why are you running? I still have the next sentence."
The idiot said hurriedly: "I understand... I understand."
"What do you think? Can you tell me?"
"Uh, this..."
"Let me teach you," Yao Bingfeng put his arms around the man's shoulders and looked at Deng Wenyuan, "A good horse only eats one household of grass. After eating, the elder sister eats the younger sister. This is called 'sister's death and sister's replacement'. Deng Chengzhi, I shoot Is it right?"
For a moment, everyone in the hall dispersed. Deng Wenyuan said with a smile: "The foreign minister understands, and the subordinates dare not say anything."
This word soon reached the ears of Qi Lingzhan, the political minister.
Emperor Changning had been away from court for several days, and Qi Lingzhan was very busy. Hearing this, he sneered, "With such sharp teeth and sharp mouth, he must be diligent in digging his own grave."
Deng Wenyuan asked for instructions: "Do you want to send a letter to Yushitai so that he can be consulted?"
Qi Lingzhan said: "Your Majesty is not in court, and the Prime Minister is approving all the mistakes in the Yushitai. It is just a waste of effort to deal with the father and the son. Although I can fight, I can only make him fined and demoted. If I don't hit him seven inches, It’s really unnecessary.”
"That matter..."
"I got it."
After Deng Wenyuan resigned, Qi Lingzhan took several memorials to Kunming Palace to see Emperor Changning.
Since the death of Empress Xiangyi, Emperor Changning has lived in seclusion in Kunming Palace, guarding her old things day and night in grief, and ignoring political affairs. However, he frequently summoned alchemists into the palace and set up altars to summon spirits. The alchemists got the benefit and persuaded Emperor Chang Ning to build an eighteen-story tower to reach the sky in the palace. They said it would be able to go up to the blue sky and reach the fairy mountains on the sea. They invited the queen's soul to come and meet her.
The piece of information in Qi Lingzhan's hand shows that the imperial censor's involvement in this matter was a waste of money and money, and only caused controversy.
"Don't you want to see her again?" Emperor Changning looked haggard, sitting on the wooden throne holding the wine jar, murmuring sadly.
"When I was young, I was dull and had no love for my parents. In my middle age, I was incompetent. I was helpless and helpless. My wife was the only one who loved me... My wife... She treated me with sincerity and never had any resentment. Now she has also abandoned me... Ziwang, what hope do you have for me?"
Qi Lingzhan said slowly: "The queen chose to leave in this way because she would not want to see your majesty sinking in grief and forgetting important events."
"Are there any big things besides life and death?" Emperor Changning asked him, "Ziwang, can you feel the same way? The pearl is broken in your arms, and your heart and blood is dripping on the ground... Do you have anyone you cherish in your heart?"
Qi Lingzhan didn't answer. After a long while, he knelt down and picked up the papers scattered on the ground, and continued to say: "This Tower of Babel cannot be repaired. The Third Division managed to move out five million taels. We should make up for the shortage of military pay first, and then delay it. There is a fear of mutiny. Also, marriage and childbirth are a major matter for the people. Your Majesty’s decree banning marriage for three years is unreasonable and against the rules. Zhongshu’s disciples rejected it first.”
Emperor Changning asked: "After a hundred years, who will remember Yao Ning, and how can I prove to the world that I have my heart for the queen?"
Qi Lingzhan replied: "It's just self-respect."
He took out another booklet from his arms, which was submitted by an official of Zhongshu Province under his instructions, and the title was: Please establish a queen.
"Those who love others should love what they wish for. Although the queen is dead and the prince is still young, please help your majesty to survive."
Emperor Changning took the fold, first smiled bitterly, and then laughed.
"My queen is dead, for whom will I establish a queen?"
"His Majesty……"
"Okay, I understand the truth. It is better to establish Zhaowei than to establish Yao family. I promised Yao Ning... Then according to your wishes, I will go to the North Gate to meet with the officials of the Ministry of Rites."
Before the imperial edict was drafted, the news of the appointment of a new queen had already spread throughout the two palaces. Months of undercurrents turned into real guns. The Yao party members made a fuss to invite Concubine Yao to be the queen, while the non-Yao party members criticized Concubine Yao. He is a master of power and jealous, forcing the queen to die. His talent and virtue are beyond the reach of his mother, so please choose another lady from a famous family.
The decree was kept under the door for many days, but it was still not announced.
The weather was sultry and hot, and when it was almost time to close the office, black clouds as big as a city appeared in the southeast sky. Suddenly, the sky became dim and the wind and tide began to rise.
The officials of the political hall left one after another before the heavy rain poured down, leaving only two or three officials on duty looking at the sky and sighing. Qi Lingzhan did not leave in a hurry. He stood in front of the low window and looked at the banana plants in the yard. A layer of fine beads had formed on the leaves. He found copper scissors and carefully trimmed the withered parts of the leaves.
The scissors trembled slightly in his hand, just like a banana leaf swaying in the wind, but his expression was as usual, he had long been accustomed to the pain that would inevitably follow in this cold weather.
The cut leaves fell all over the window sill and were quickly swept away by the wind. Along with the wind, there is also the long companion beside Yao Heshou.
Yao Heshou invited him to come over to the palace for a reunion. Since the prime minister's palace was not far from the imperial palace, Qi Lingzhan held an umbrella and went there. When he arrived at the courtyard where the guests were being entertained, the sleeves of his official robe were already wet from the wind and rain.
Yao Heshou was waiting for him in the pavilion, wearing a Taoist robe and a futou, sitting cross-legged. Looking at his face, he was just a gentle and elegant old man. He waved to Qi Lingzhan from a distance, and Qi Lingzhan closed his umbrella and stepped forward, saluting and bowing.
"The teacher has been waiting for a long time."
"It's a rainy day. Come on, why don't you take a seat? Try the newly arrived Shaoxing rice wine. This wine is warm in nature and is good for your health."
Yao Heshou personally held the pot and poured the wine. Qi Lingzhan took it calmly and thanked him. Neither of them are impatient people. After three drinks and a table full of delicious food, they started talking about business.
Yao Heshou said first: "I'm old and can't enjoy myself while drinking. I should have let Ao Yi entertain guests today, but I just punished him for his arrogance in the political hall and wanted to give him two more days to remember, so Today there are only you and me, teacher and student."
Lao Jianglan remained calm. With just these two or three sentences, Yao Heshou wanted to expose Yao Bingfeng for his crimes in the political hall. Qi Lingzhan smiled and said nothing until Yao Heshou's wine was served in front of him. He looked surprised and asked, "Brother Bingfeng is always quick to talk to others, but I don't know why this time?"
"Some trivial remarks, not enough to mention." Seeing his pretense, Yao Heshou did not go into details, "Juniors are stubborn and talkative, and elders have to worry about it. Ziwang is the eldest son of the Hou family, so he must also understand the difficulties of being a teacher."
Qi Lingzhan said: "I don't work as hard as the teacher. The second family of the Qi family has long been separated, so I can't bear to worry about my cousin's affairs for the time being."
"I mean your sister."
Yao Heshou made it clear to him: "The second girl has an unruly temperament, just like Ao Zhi, she always brings trouble to the family. But Ao Zhi is a son, so it's okay to be a little spirited. As a woman, your sister has no nun's vows and no humility. The Queen's She has not learned anything about Yide. She cannot be respectful to her husband, nor can she educate her children virtuously. Do you think such a daughter's family is worthy of becoming a queen in the palace?"
When Qi Lingzhan heard this, he put down his silver chopsticks and said softly: "After the emperor has established his throne, I cannot speak nonsense."
"I invite you to my private residence because I want to say a few sincere words to you," Yao Heshou said, "I understand your choice. One family and two queens will bring endless glory. The lintel of the Yongping Marquis Mansion cannot be supported by you alone. It's just If virtue is not matched, there will be disaster... Ziwang, don't forget who gave you the injury on your hand."
The rain is coming suddenly and the sky is getting dark. Rain curtains are gurgling all around the pavilion in the center of the lake. The surface of the lake is like a thousand soldiers in front of the battlefield, and the beads are falling on the jade plate.
Qi Lingzhan's hands hurt so much that he simply stopped clinking glasses and asked Yao Heshou slowly: "Teacher, what do you mean, if my sister-in-law insists on entering the palace, will you follow the example of Emperor Ren and attack me and the Yongping Marquis Mansion?" ?”
Yao Heshou said: "This is a vindictive statement. If I wanted to harm you, why did I save you back then?"
Recalling the old events, Yao Heshou looked vaguely sad, "Xu Beihai's death and your injuries were all sacrifices of the emperor's foundation. It's a pity that I was in time to save you, but not in time to save General Xu. You hate me for this, This junior is ignorant. There is no irresolvable feud between our families. Although the late empress died violently, the rumors cannot be fully believed. It was just a misunderstanding, so why add to the injustice?"
With a few words, he made the suffering suffered by the Yongping Marquis Mansion invisible.
"Teacher's great kindness is of course unforgettable." Qi Lingzhan lowered his sleeves to cover his trembling fingers, with a smile on his face. "Teacher is so sincere, and students dare not hide anything anymore. Second sister, she is determined." She wanted to enter the palace as a queen, but my parents couldn't persuade her, and I couldn't help it, so I had to let her go. But I wonder if there was a conflict with the imperial concubine? "
Yao Heshou said: "The imperial concubine had this intention, but she did not want to increase the gap between the two families. Yesterday, she asked someone to send a message, saying that she is willing to give up her position as queen."
Qi Lingzhan flattered her and said, "Your Majesty, you are a virtuous lady."
"If the ministers are at odds, the harm will be done to the king. Both your family and I are important ministers of the emperor. I hope you can understand the painstaking efforts of the noble concubine and I."
Yao Heshou saw that his wine cup was empty and offered him more wine. Qi Lingzhan claimed to be rude and toasted him. After drinking the full cup, he heard Yao Heshou say: "It's just that the eldest brother is not married yet, so there is no reason for the younger sister to marry first. There is someone I want you to meet. If you meet her, you will know how hard I have worked for the two families to be reconciled."
Yao Heshou picked up the golden hammer and struck the small clock on the table. A man by the lake came slowly along the corridor, surrounded by his maids. In his vision, the rain and mist were like moving clouds, and his skirt was as graceful as flowing water. As he got closer, he looked like peonies in the sky. Yinghua is a rare beauty in the world.
She gathered her train and bowed to the two people in the pavilion. Yao Heshou said to her, "This is Qi Canzhi, whose poetry you admire. Come and pour him a glass of wine."
Qi Lingzhan asked: "Who is this girl?"
"I have only two daughters. The eldest daughter is in the palace. This is the youngest daughter. Her maiden name is Qingyi."
Yao Qingyi is both talented and beautiful, famous in Yongjing, and is cherished by the Prime Minister. King Su once wanted to welcome him as his princess, but he was not able to do so. Today's sincerity cannot be said to be insufficient.
However, Qi Lingzhan turned the cup upside down and said with a smile: "After I tell my parents about the marriage, I don't have to drink wine with it. It's not in line with etiquette, so you can't be disrespectful to the young master."
