(two-in-one) Guo Mian laughed and said, "Do you want to avoid us?" How? Don't think it's interesting to talk to us? Think we're tasteless and hateful? ”

Lin Jue was startled and hurriedly said, "How dare Lin Jue?" Isn't the eldest prince asking for my life? How could I be that mind? I'm just thirsty and want to go to the side to ask the palace people for a drink. ”

"Then tell me, why did you refuse to come when I invited you to the banquet several times? Don't you think there's nothing to talk about with us? Guo Mian did not follow the unforgiving way.

Lin Jue couldn't wait to slap him twice, this Guo Mian had some unclear meaning, or it was the thoughts of the superiors, who didn't consider the feelings of others at all, and said whatever they thought.

"His Royal Highness King Jin, I can't afford to say this. I have written to you to apologize, and it was very dark in the yamen of the Regulations Department during that time. Mr. Fang and Master Yan both got up early and worked day and night in the dark, and the whole yamen was working, so I really couldn't say goodbye. Your Highness, you must understand, after all, I am on an errand in the Yamen, how can I be as free as Your Highness? If I don't do something well, I'm going to be punished. Lin Jue said in a deep voice.

"Are you really that busy? That's not your fault. But you are also very strange, you envy me for being free, why do I want you to come to my Jin Palace, but you don't want to? When I come to my house, I will not be as strict as Fang Dunru's solemnity. Things to do, wine to drink, music to listen to, poetry to compose, this is life. What does it taste like to do things every day? Guo Mian laughed.

Lin Jue rolled his eyes and said in his heart: Your logic is completely the logic that only your prince can say. You were born a fucking prince, so naturally you enjoy life. Others are struggling to survive, eating together, and mixing the future, where you are so chic. However, just these few words also highlight the true temperament of this great prince. He was a straight, free and willful man. I don't think much about it, and I don't have much crooked intestines in my stomach.

Guo Xu, the king of Huai on the side, listened to the conversation between the two while drinking tea, and when he heard Guo Mian say that he had invited Lin Jue to enter his mansion for Changshi and was refused, Guo Xu turned his head and glanced at Lin Jue, and his expression was slightly gentle. This Lin Jue did not accept his invitation, but also refused the invitation of the imperial brother, which somewhat made Guo Xu's heart feel a little more comfortable.

"His Royal Highness the King of Jin, I don't know how to reply to your words, I just want to contribute to the change, and I don't want to give up halfway. The teacher and Master Yan will be transferred to the Ordinance Division, and they also want me to contribute some strength, why should I leave because the errand is difficult? Isn't it the disappointment of the teacher? Lin Jue smiled.

Guo Mian nodded and said, "I understand, but I didn't think it through, you are Fang Dunru's student, how can you not follow him?" My request was indeed inconsiderate. That's it, let's not talk about that, what good poems and good words have come out recently? By the way, what new songs are there? The last time I heard you sing the song "Difficult Sutra" in Liang Wangfu, it was impressive. Today's New Year's banquet, if there is a new song, we might as well open our eyes and enjoy it. ”

"Yes, yes, I have long admired the name of Lord Lin's poems and lyrics, His Royal Highness King Jin has great respect for Lord Lin, and praises you in front of us every day. If we can see it today, it will be our creation. A handsome middle-aged man next to him smiled.

Lin Jue didn't know him, but fortunately, Guo Mian introduced him empathetically: "Let me introduce you, this is Princess Anping's concubine." That one was Princess Changping's concubine. This one is Princess Yongping's concubine. They are all relatives of their own families. ”

"I have heard the name of Lin Zhuangyuan for a long time, and I am polite and polite." Several horses bowed their hands one after another.

Lin Jue suddenly realized that Shi Cai was still a little puzzled, these men had to participate in this New Year's banquet, and their identities must not be simple. I thought it was the son of the county king of the side branch of the royal family, but it turned out to be the princess's concubine. Although Emperor Guo Chong only has two princes who are adults, he has several princesses. They are both older than the two princes, and they are both married. Speaking of which, his identity is also the son-in-law of the royal family, but although the identities of the county horse and the concubine are similar, the difference in status is more than a little bit different. An old man is the emperor, and an old man is the prince, which is very different.

"Long up, long back!" Lin Jue bowed politely. In fact, he had never met these colts. However, since these people can become the emperor's sons-in-law, they must be ordinary people.

“…… Recently, I have been a bit busy with business, and I have no time to think about poetry and articles, let alone new songs. That song was made many years ago when I lived in Hangzhou, and in recent years, I have long lost interest, and there is no new song. I'm afraid that His Royal Highness the King of Jin will be disappointed. Lin Jue said with a smile.

"Oh, I'll just say, it's a pity. The miscellaneous affairs of the yamen are harmful. How can a person like Lin Jue be trapped in chores, isn't there a lot of good poetry and good words? It's a pity, it's a pity. Guo Mian shook his head and sighed.

Lin Jue said with a smile: "Your Highness, poetry is a pastime, and the affairs of the yamen are the main thing, not a chore." Your Highness's words are biased. ”

Guo Mian smiled: "That's not right, for me, poetry and articles are like food, if I don't eat for a day, I feel hungry and my brain is empty." The ancients said that it was better to eat without meat for three days than not to study for a day. This is a ...... to my heart."

Lin Jue could only roll his eyes at his words, if he didn't know that he was a person who knew that this great prince was straight, just listening to these few words, he would feel that he was hypocritical.

Guo Kun was really a little angry when he listened to what the two said. said to Lin Jue: "I'll go sit next to you, you can do it yourself." Later, take the seat, listen to the instructions of the inner supervisor, and do not talk nonsense. ”

Lin Jue nodded hurriedly in response, Guo Kun attacked everyone, turned around and walked to the table on the side and sat down, and ordered the palace maid to serve tea and drink.

Guo Mian squeezed his eyes at Lin Jue and whispered, "This eldest brother of yours, my cousin, I'm afraid I can't talk to you, right?" He is just like my second brother Huai Wang, he likes to say something like leading the army on the iron-blooded battlefield, and he can't talk about it with those of us who love poetry and articles. It's going to be hard for you to get along with him. ”

Lin Jue smiled bitterly: "It's really hard, but it's not that serious. Non-interference is. If you can speak, you can say two sentences, and if you can't speak, you won't speak. That's all. ”

"Yes, your attitude is the same as the attitude I had with my second brother, insisting on brotherly gifts, and nothing else. He doesn't talk to me about military affairs, I don't talk about poetry with him, we all play the piano to each other, and we waste saliva. Guo Mian chuckled.

"Hahahaha." Several of the horses burst out laughing.

Lin Jue felt that Guo Xu's gaze seemed to be a little sharp, and the sixth sense felt that the gaze was like a thorn in his back, and he knew that it was not appropriate to make such an intimate small talk with Guo Mian, otherwise even if he didn't say anything, he would be mistaken for saying something. This Guo Mian deliberately lowered his voice again, and suddenly laughed uncontrollably, which was really a deliberate show.

"His Royal Highness the King of Jin, I haven't gone to see His Royal Highness the King of Huai yet, His Royal Highness forgives my sins, I'll go to see him."

Guo Mian waved his hand and smiled: "Go, go, go." ”

Lin Jue was relieved, turned around and walked to Guo Xu, who was sitting at the table next to him, and behind him came the unbridled laughter of Guo Mian and several concubines.

"Lin Jue has seen His Royal Highness King Huai." Lin Jue saluted Guo Xu.

Guo Xu nodded, pointed to the chair next to him and said lightly, "Please take a seat." ”

Lin Jue thanked him and sat aside. Guo Xu picked up the teacup and drank the tea slowly, as if he didn't intend to talk to Lin Jue, when Lin Jue was embarrassed, suddenly Guo Xu spoke again.

"Talking to my royal brother, they talked very speculatively, didn't they?"

Lin Jue said with a smile: "His Royal Highness the Great Prince is very funny and witty, and he is very funny when he speaks. ”

"Humph! It's okay to be funny and witty, but it's not good to be grandiose. On such an occasion, in the palace, it is really undignified to talk and laugh unbridledly. Lin Jue, what do you think? Guo Xu said in a deep voice.

Lin Jue scratched his head and smiled bitterly: "I don't understand what His Highness means. ”

"You know, you're smart, you're just pretending to be confused. That's it, let's not talk about that. Lin Jue, what you said in your theater last time, have your thoughts changed? ”

Lin Jue frowned and said, "Your Highness forgives me, I don't know what Your Highness said." ”

Guo Xu turned his head and glared at Lin Jue, but Lin Jue did not back down, and looked back at him with a firm look. After the two watched cockfighting for a few breaths, Guo Xu suddenly laughed.

"Good, good. You are indeed a man of character. Let's just forget about it. During this time, I also thought about this matter carefully, and I felt that what you said that day made sense. A plan that fails without success naturally has no need to carry it out. I've actually given up on this plan. ”

Lin Jue looked at Guo Xu in a daze, not knowing if what he said was true or not. Is it a test of yourself.

"Don't look at me like that. After I came back from that conversation, I went through the whole plan in detail. Indeed, as you say, the plan is too risky. And what you're saying is that even if the plan itself can be successful, it's actually a palliative plan. The biggest problem with the strategy of driving the wolf and devouring the tiger is that the tiger is dead and the wolf is coming, which cannot solve the fundamental pressure on my large surrounding town. You say, 'A divided Liao State is in the interests of my Great Zhou'. I think that's true. In fact, now is the time to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight, and go all out to develop yourself. In the future, when tigers and wolves fight, one dead and one injured, there may be an opportunity to reap the benefits of the fisherman. I figured out what you said that day. So I decided to abandon that risky plan. Guo Xu sighed and said.

Lin Jue could see that he felt very sorry in his heart, and Lin Jue couldn't tell whether he gave up the plan for the sake of the overall situation, or had to give up for some reason. But all in all, he was able to let go of this unrealistic plan, which shows that this person can still afford to let go. You must know that this plan is related to the ownership of the Dao throne, and ordinary people are afraid that they will go all the way to the dark, and they may not change their position because of some of the reasons that Lin Jue said that day.

The specific reason is unknown, and Lin Jue doesn't want to know.

His Royal Highness made a decision, and Lin Jue admired it. His Royal Highness always has the country and the society in his heart, which is the responsibility of the prince. Although Lin Jue did not agree with His Highness's plan before, he admired His Highness's responsibility very much. What I lack now is someone to take responsibility. There are too few such people. ”

Lin Jue is half a compliment, and half is also his own emotion. The current situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty is also a fact that there are too few officials who are willing to take responsibility, and too many who want to enjoy themselves comfortably.

Guo Xu said with a smile: "I'm very happy that you can say that." How about I forgive you for your rude words that day, and let us be reconciled? ”

Lin Jue smiled and said, "There is nothing unpleasant between me and His Highness, how can we get back together?" ”

Lin Jue's original intention was that I had never had a good time with you, so how could I get back together. But I can't say that.

Guo Xu smiled and said: "Exactly, exactly, we just had a few words." Nothing unpleasant. Then ...... later"

Before Guo Xu's words were finished, he suddenly heard a loud voice shouting from the corridor in front of him: "The Queen Mother Luan has arrived!" The emperor's holy drive has arrived! The queen phoenix has arrived! ”

This voice seemed to give the idle people in the audience an instant blow, and everyone immediately became nervous. The one who stood and laughed immediately closed his solemn face, sat and drank tea spring-like bounced up and rushed to the open space in the middle to kneel, and the palace maids and inner guards who were waiting around also knelt on the ground.

In the midst of the sound of welcome, the Great Zhou Emperor Guo Chong and the Empress Yuan supported an old woman who was full of jewels, silver hair, and a face like a full moon from the side. A group of palace maids followed behind him.

The Queen Mother Wei is sixty this year, although the maintenance is very good, but in the early years, it was not powerful, so the life in the palace was hard, and the treatment was not good, so she fell into a cold leg disease. It's a little inconvenient to move. This is also the reason why this feast is placed in the Hall of Health today. But her spirit is still very good, and while walking, she is talking and laughing with Guo Chong beside her.

"Get up, don't have so many ceremonies for the New Year. Those who came were all royal relatives who had been close to each other. Your Majesty, don't make so much red tape, it's very troublesome to toss and toss and kneel and stand, let's celebrate the New Year like ordinary people and have a reunion dinner. You tell me? Empress Dowager Wei looked at the people kneeling in the courtyard and smiled.

Guo Chong smiled and said: "The queen mother has said so, what else does the son have to say?" Today, everything is up to the Queen Mother. ”

Empress Yuan also smiled and said: "Queen Mother, the emperor has agreed, you are in charge today." ”

Empress Dowager Wei smiled and said: "Okay, today the mourning family will be the master, the emperor is a national event and a trivial family matter in the harem on weekdays, and it is indeed rare to be idle." Let the emperor have a quiet time today. ”

Guo Chong smiled and said, "Thank you for your love." You all heard it, the Queen Mother said, today is free of all red tape, let's have a reunion dinner like ordinary people. Get up. ”

Everyone thanked them in unison and got up. Guo Chong and the Empress also helped the Queen Mother to sit in the middle of the soft couch, and Guo Chong and Empress Yuan sat sideways on both sides.

Everyone got up, but there was still one person in front of him who knelt on the ground and couldn't get up. After Empress Dowager Wei sat down, she pointed and asked, "Is that Guo Mian?" Why don't you get up? ”

Guo Mian raised his head and smiled: "Didn't the Queen Mother's grandmother say that the New Year will be celebrated according to the people's house?" Therefore, according to the rules of the people's house, the younger generation kowtows to the elders, and the elders cannot get up if they do not give the New Year's money. The grandmother didn't give her grandson New Year's money, and the grandson didn't get up. ”

"Hahaha." Empress Dowager Wei laughed loudly, and said in a loud voice: "Look at this clever mouth, and I opened my mouth to pick up something." That's right, we have to count what we say, and we said that we will celebrate the New Year according to the rules of the people, so naturally we can't break our word. What do I have with me? I didn't bring anything. ”

"The children and grandchildren of the jade pendant on my grandmother's waist like it very much, or the grandmother rewarded the grandchildren." Guo Mian said with a smile.

Empress Dowager Wei was stunned and said with a smile: "Okay, this jade pendant has been rewarded to you, and it's okay to hang it as a fan pendant in summer." Take it. ”

Guo Chong hurriedly stopped: "Don't listen to his nonsense, how can the people have such rules." A few taels of silver at most. This jade pendant is the personal belongings of the queen mother, and there is no need to reward him. ”

Yuan said softly: "Your Majesty, now the queen mother is in charge, why is the emperor in charge again?" ”

Guo Chong was stunned, and Empress Dowager Wei smiled: "Yes, it's just a jade pendant, so what's there?" It's nothing more than an old thing on the folding fan used by your father when he was alive, and it should be given to Guo Mian. Guo Mian, take it, I'm in charge. ”

Guo Mian received the reward happily and kowtowed. Queen Yuan looked at her son with a red face, her eyes full of pity. Guo Chong, on the other hand, seemed to have a look of displeasure on his face.

"Guo Xu, your brother has asked for a reward, why don't you ask for it." Guo Chong looked at Guo Xu, who was standing on the side like a wooden stake, and asked.

Guo Xu hurriedly bowed down and said, "Father, the child doesn't need to be rewarded." ”

"How? Don't you teach people to say that the Queen Mother favors one over the other? The queen mother also gave Guo Xu something to give. Guo Chong said with a smile.

Empress Dowager Wei nodded and smiled: "Yes, yes, you can't favor one over the other, I'll see what else I bring?" I don't have anything with me, so I don't need someone to go in and get one. ”

Guo Chong smiled: "No need, my son has a jade pendant here, and the Queen Mother took it to reward Guo Xu." If you look back and reward your son with one more thing, won't you get it? ”

Empress Dowager Wei was stunned for a moment, and then smiled and said, "Okay, that's fine." Borrow you first, and then pay you back. ”

While speaking, Guo Chong took off a piece of white and crystal jade pendant from his waist and handed it to the Empress Dowager Wei, who beckoned to Guo Xu and rewarded him with the jade pendant, Guo Xu kowtowed and thanked him, and slowly retreated.

Guo Mian and Empress Yuan's smiles became quite awkward.

Lin Jue silently appreciated this big play, and his heart was extremely touched. Perhaps in the eyes of others, this is just an ordinary matter of the two princes begging for reward, and it is not worth mentioning. But in Lin Jue's view, it's like watching a wonderful show.

At the beginning, Lin Jue only felt that Guo Mian was obviously more active than Guo Xu, and he deliberately played a farce of begging for a reward, not only to make the Queen Mother happy, but also to grandstand and show off the limelight. Lin Jue thought it was just a small jade pendant at first, but he didn't expect to say that it was the first emperor's thing from the mouth of the queen mother, and he immediately felt that this was not a simple showman. The fan pendant of the first emperor was given to Guo Mian, and this symbolism is self-explanatory. The Queen Mother was rewarded, Guo Mian got it, and the subtext passed on to people was that the Queen Mother had already made up her mind in her heart. This would give the courtiers an extremely strong hint.

The reaction of the emperor and the empress was also very interesting, Guo Chong obviously realized that there was something wrong with this pendant reward for Guo Mian, and he wanted to stop it. But Yuan's wit made Guo Chong unable to stop him. At this point, it can be seen that although the Yuan family is weak in the palace, he is very clever and intelligent. For the sake of her son Guo Mian, she will come out to speak at any time. Lin Jue even thinks that this play may have been discussed in advance between Guo Mian and the queen's mother and son. Just imagine, the relationship between the queen and the queen mother must be close, she naturally knows what the queen mother is wearing today and what she will think today. If she taught Guo Mian to deliberately take the jade pendant as a reward today, conveying a hint, it is not impossible. Because she knows that on this day, it is impossible for the Queen Mother to refuse.

Guo Chong's reaction was even more exciting. After Guo Mian succeeded, Guo Chong obviously felt that something was wrong, and he realized that he had sent the wrong information to outsiders this time, so he immediately made up for it and rewarded Guo Xu for the reason that he could not favor one over the other. What's even more meaningful is that he used the jade pendant on his body to reward Guo Xu. That means that the Empress Dowager rewarded Guo Mian with the things of the previous emperor, and Guo Xu with the things of the reigning emperor, so as to balance out the possible misunderstandings.

Moreover, this move subconsciously conveyed a hint that he was biased towards Guo Xu, and this is probably what he wants to express to outsiders.

In short, it was such a short scene, and in Lin Jue's opinion, it was wonderful. The intrigues and calculations in the hearts of several characters are extremely exquisite. On the surface, it is a happy scene of three generations of grandparents, but secretly it is turbulent. As the saying goes, those who can watch the doorway, and those who don't know how to watch the excitement. Many people in the courtyard looked at the music stupidly, but they couldn't understand the undercurrent surging under the calm water.

Lin Jue also took this opportunity to deeply realize that the battle for the throne is really not a joke, it is really you fighting for me, everywhere. This is only a secret battle that has not yet been put on the agenda, and if it is really to be agreed in the future, what a fierce scene it will be.