Zhu Jian took a deep breath and said calmly: "Queen Mother, you don't understand."
Queen Mother Zhou sneered: "Then tell me, why don't I understand?"
"Do you know what love is?"
"..."
The Empress Dowager Zhou broke through the defense. She had been neglected in the past, so she couldn't bear to see such a thing, especially if it was for an older woman like Wan Zhen'er.
"You are the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You don't think about the country and the people. You think about love all day long. Is this what an emperor should do?"
Zhu Jianshen said calmly, "Is your mother teaching me to be an emperor?"
"I..." Empress Dowager Zhou hesitated. She really couldn't accept these words. Interfering with politics in the harem has always been a taboo for emperors.
It’s a matter of imperial power, not even your own mother!
She was beaten last time, but as time went by, she gradually didn't care so much. Now that her son said such words again, she couldn't help but feel angry and sad.
She was not popular when she was a concubine, but now that she is the queen mother...it is still the same.
Forget it, let him do it... Empress Dowager Zhou stood up silently and said lonelyly: "The emperor is wise and powerful, so naturally he doesn't need this palace to teach him."
With that said, he turned and left.
"Mom, walk slowly." Zhu Jianshen said calmly.
After Empress Dowager Zhou walked away, he turned his eyes to Empress Wang.
"Your Majesty, my concubine didn't say anything." Queen Wang quickly explained that she had clearly seen her predecessor's fate and she did not want to follow in his footsteps.
The emperor's husband is not easy to mess with, but after he is deposed, he will be clean and tidy!
"I understand." Zhu Jianshen smiled, "Let's go, walk with me for a while."
"Ah?" Queen Wang was stunned, and then she was ecstatic. She quickly moved to accompany Zhu Jianshen, docile and well-behaved.
Since being canonized as a queen, this is the first time that the emperor's husband has been so close to her.
It's quite sad to say that when she was a concubine, she was favored several times, but when she became a queen, she stayed in the empty room every night.
What's even more tragic is that she doesn't even know where she offended the emperor's husband.
The two walked in tandem, Zhu Jianshen said nothing, and Queen Wang did not dare to speak easily, but the opportunity was rare, so she decided to take the risk and give it a try.
She was ashamed to hold Zhu Jianshen's hand.
Zhu Jianshen was startled for a moment, but he didn't refuse, but he didn't take the initiative either.
Queen Wang was a little disappointed, but she still held her hand and whispered softly: "Your Majesty... But did I do anything wrong as a concubine?"
"No, you're fine." Zhu Jianshen said.
"Then why does the emperor...why do you ignore me?" Queen Wang lowered her head and asked in a low voice, a little aggrieved.
It's not your problem, it's your family problem... Zhu Jianshen smiled and said: "I am the first to become the great treasure, and I have too many things to be busy with. I didn't want to neglect the queen."
"Well... Your Majesty should also take care of your dragon body and don't stay up too late." Queen Wang nodded skillfully.
Zhu Jianshen nodded: "Yes, I will pay attention."
"..." Queen Wang was sentimental.
Zhu Jianshen finally felt sorry for her, so he held her hand and said some thoughtful words.
It's not that he hates Queen Wang, it's just that he was frightened by Wu Jun's incident last time and is afraid it will happen again.
Zhu Jianshen was only eighteen years old after all. Family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs all suddenly fell on him, and he was under great pressure.
The officials were troubled, his mother was troublesome, and his daughter-in-law's mother-in-law tried to trick him... Zhu Jianshen was exhausted mentally and physically, and at the same time, he also became sensitive.
In this palace, he could completely trust Sister Zhen'er, who had taken care of him growing up. Everything else... was open to question.
Even if it’s my own mother!
Being an emperor... is difficult... A hint of bitterness appeared at the corner of Zhu Jianshen's mouth.
…
~
Mid-Autumn Festival night.
The moon rises early.
Li Qing raised his glass to invite the bright moon, bowed his head and thought about his old friend...
The night breeze was blowing, full of refreshing autumn coolness, but Li Qing had no intention of enjoying it. Under the bright moonlight, he drank by himself, feeling lonely and sad.
During the festive season, we miss our loved ones even more. On this day of reunion, there is no relative around us.
He... still isn't used to it.
In fact, he never got used to it.
Li Qing was depressed, so he drank to drown his sorrows, and finally cursed God.
While he was scolding, there was a sudden knock on the door, and surprise flashed in Li Qing's eyes: "Who is it?"
"Godfather, it's a child."
"Li Hong..." Li Qing's heart warmed, and he stepped forward to open the door. When he saw that he was alone and dusty, he couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in his heart, "What happened over there in Jinling?"
"No, everything is fine." Li Hong chuckled, "I thought my godfather was alone in the capital, so I wanted to come and accompany you."
Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile: "Then why didn't the little girl follow you this time?"
"It's not that person. Sister Wanqing originally wanted to come, but he refused to let her go. He also said that the girl is older and needs to know how to avoid taboos..." Li Hong's face was filled with resentment.
Li Qing said with a smile: "You really have to avoid it. Why are you so anxious?"
After a pause, "But... you came at the wrong time. I will be busy in a few days."
"It's okay. My son is cooking for his godfather at home. I won't interrupt your work."
Li Qing shook his head slightly: "I want to travel far."
"Going on a long trip?" Li Hong was stunned for a moment and asked, "Can my child go with me?"
"This..." Li Qing frowned, "Come in and talk."
Li Hong took the horse, walked into the small courtyard and tied it up, then walked to sit opposite Li Qing, "My godfather has to be busy with official duties, right?"
"Well." Li Qing asked, "Do you want to pursue an official career?"
My godson has grown up and I have to help him plan for the future.
Li Hong thought for a while and asked, "Does the godfather want the child to pursue an official career?"
"Asking you." Li Qing rolled his eyes.
"My child... think about it," Li Hong said nonchalantly, "Who doesn't want to make a splash as a man?"
Seeing his godfather frowning, Li Hong asked again: "Godfather, what do you think?"
"Actually... I don't want you to take this path. Isn't it okay to inherit the title of Marquis of Yongqing?" Li Qing said, "The official career is not that easy."
"The temple is dangerous, and the child knows it, but my godfather once said... The ultimate romance of a man is the tactics in the temple and the strategizing on the battlefield." Li Hong's face was full of yearning.
Li Qing was speechless: "I just said it casually, but you took it seriously. You are still thinking about intrigues at a young age...you really don't know what to say."
"If my godfather doesn't want to, then I won't take this path." Li Hong said.
Li Qing smiled: "I'm afraid you won't be willing to do that for the rest of your life."óΠъ.oяＧ
"My godfather doesn't want me to pursue an official career, and it must be for my own good." Li Hong said, "I listen to my godfather, and you won't harm me."
"But you still think in your heart that you won't be willing to accept it!" Li Qing sighed, thought for a while, and said, "Forget it, come with me in a few days, and you can make your choice after you come back."
Li Hong's heart skipped a beat: "Is this... okay?"
"I just want to tell the emperor that after you are a noble, it is not against the rules to go out to see the world." Li Qing nodded, "You have grown up now and can make your own decisions. If you really want to pursue an official career, do Dad won’t stop you either.”
"Really?" Li Hong was surprised.
"...Do you like being an official that much?"
"Hehe... who wouldn't want to ride a horse galloping and kill enemies on the battlefield?" Li Hong just won the championship this year and was in high spirits.
After becoming a noble, he followed the path of a military general. Li Hong had been listening to the Three Kingdoms since he was a child, and he had a strong interest in the battlefield and longed for it.
And with the endorsement of his godfather, his career will be much easier.
"The battlefield is not what is described in the books. The glory you see is forged with countless blood. There is no romance, only blood and cruelty." Li Qing said quietly, "If you die on the battlefield, your graceful Sister Qing will be left a widow."
Li Hong: "..."
"Daddy, I still want to try." Li Hong said seriously.
"Well, I'll give you a chance." Li Qing sighed, "You won't be willing to give it a try."
"Thank you, godfather." Li Hong was overjoyed. He didn't expect that he would get something unexpected this time.
Li Qing shook his head and laughed: "Okay, come have a drink with me."
"Hey, that's good."
Li Qing secretly sighed: I still hope you can be a Xiaoyao Hou.
This was his godson and an old friend. Li Qing did not ask him to make any achievements, but only asked him to live a happy life.
Of course, each generation has its own ideas, and there is nothing wrong with Li Hong not having to live a mediocre life.
Li Qing didn't want to impose his will on Li Hong and make him live with resentment for the rest of his life.
…
The next day, Li Qing entered the palace and told Zhu Jianshen about the matter.
Zhu Jianshen promised that he would be happy to have Li Qing's godson deeply tied to the court.
"It's the right time for me to hire someone. After this experience, I will give him a military attache."
"That's not necessary. Maybe he doesn't want to be an official after he comes back." Li Qing shook his head gently and asked, "Has there been a letter from Shi Heng?"
"Well, now the army has been stationed." Zhu Jianshen chuckled and said: "In about seven days, Shi Heng will return with the tribal leaders. By then, you will have to get busy."
Li Qing nodded slightly and said, "That's no problem, but I need funds."
"How much do you want?"
"Two million taels." Li Qing said, "The more you pay, the less you pay."
"...It's not safe to bring so much money in one go. Let's take away one million first, and then I'll have someone give it away." Zhu Jianshen said, "The more you pay, the less you will make up."
Li Qing said with a smile: "It's up to you, but the construction of the Hetao this time is very important. Once it is completed, the grassland tribes who will join the Ming Dynasty in the future can be arranged there;
There are abundant water and grass there. In addition to farming, it is also a natural pasture. It can be used as a horse farm in the Ming Dynasty. Don't worry about money. "
"Ang, don't worry, I know what I know." Zhu Jianshen nodded, "No matter how poor I am, I will not be stingy on such a big matter, but... if I can save unnecessary expenses, it is better to save a little. The national fund is It’s really not rich.”
"Well, don't worry."
"By the way, I have something to tell you." Zhu Jianshen said, "Take Zhu Yong with you when you go, and you will share half of the credit with him when you come back. I want to use this man in a big way."
Li Qing did not refuse, just said: "You can take him, but I have to inspect him."
"Okay, then you can check things for me again." Zhu Jianshen asked, "What kind of official position do you want for your godson?"
Li Qing smiled and said, "We'll talk about it then. Actually, I don't want him to pursue an official career."
"Your thinking is wrong. I have to criticize you." Zhu Jianshen was caught. "What's wrong with being loyal to the country? The Ming Dynasty gave you the title of marquis to encourage you, not to make you lie down with a long-term meal ticket. , are you worthy of Daming..."
Barabara...
