(2-in-1)

The court hall of the Great Zhou Dynasty has suddenly quieted down in recent days. Some time ago, the civil and military officials who jumped up because of the murder of Kang Zizhen suddenly became silent like hibernating insects after the case was understood.

Perhaps because the weather was too hot, after June, the annual scorching day in the capital came again. The officials may have been so tormented by the heat that they had lost any interest in fighting. Or maybe it's not the weather, it's the refractory period that follows the passion. After the big case was settled, many people felt uninterested and began to accumulate energy for the next outbreak.

Even the chief officials of the political hall have recently stopped. The three-day newspaper that couldn't be beaten before also quietly stopped. This even made Emperor Guo Chong feel a little uncomfortable. Suddenly, Lu Xiang, they didn't say a word about the disadvantages of the new law? Suddenly figured it out? Stop disgusting yourself with those annoying things? This change was too sudden, which made Guo Chong feel a little uncomfortable. So, after an early dynasty, Guo Chong also specially asked about the Di Bao. Lu Zhongtian's answer was very perfunctory, only saying that he had been busy with affairs recently, and Vice Minister Wu was busy dealing with the relief of the floods brought about by the rainy season in the south, and he was also busy with official documents and miscellaneous affairs.

Guo Chong felt that his words were not true, and he was busy before, but they didn't persevere in reporting every three days? Why is it now an excuse to be busy? Maybe it was their attitude that made them feel bored, those newspapers were piled up high, and they didn't mention it publicly, they understood that they didn't like what they did, so they simply stopped.

Whatever the reason, Guo Chong didn't want to delve too deeply. The rare peace in the DPRK is precious, and in the past few years of sitting on the throne, Guo Chong has never been quiet for a moment. Now that the new law is being promoted in an orderly manner, Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru will not come to the palace every day to annoy themselves. Lu Zhongtian and Wu Chunlai didn't need to report to disgust themselves. Yang Jun didn't have a big event to come to the door, and if he wanted to see him, he had to send someone to invite him. In this case, why not enjoy this rare quiet time.

One afternoon, Guo Chong took a nap and was full of energy. So he took the chamberlain to hang out in the harem. Although the weather is hot, the flowers and trees in the harem are dense and well-watered, so the sun is thick and the flowers are in full bloom, and walking between the harem corridors does not feel too hot.

Guo Chong originally wanted to go to Rongxiu Palace to talk to Concubine Rong, although Concubine Rong was no longer as beautiful and attractive as those young concubines, but Concubine Rong's identity was there, and he couldn't be left out in the cold. Neglecting Concubine Rong will make the Queen Mother unhappy, even if it is to go for a walk and talk and express her attitude, it is also a gesture.

However, Guo Chong changed his mind halfway through. Recently, Concubine Rong was a little uneasy, she went to see her a few days ago, and when she talked to her, she was a little absent-minded, and her answer was not the right one. made Guo Chong a little displeased. If she goes again today, if she is still like that, her good mood will be gone. Concubine Rong didn't talk much, and she was also well-behaved when talking to herself, to put it bluntly, it was a little boring. If you want to relax, you still have to go to Concubine Mei. Concubine Mei is quirky and funny, and her speech is funny and makes people happy, which is completely different from his father Lu Zhongtian. Although she is not young, she is still as cute as she was at the beginning, and going to talk to her is obviously more in line with today's idle mood.

In the northwest direction of Yanfu Palace, there is an artificial hill on the side of the northwest lake. In the flat Ouchi Palace, the position of this artificial hill is the highest. There is a Cuiwei Hall built on the mountain, which is where Mei Guifei lives.

It stands to reason that Concubine Mei's bedroom is located on this hill at the highest point of the palace, which is a little unruly, and it is not possible for a noble concubine to live higher than the terrain of the palace where the emperor and queen mother and even the queen mother live. In fact, this Cuiwei Hall was originally the residence of the Queen Mother of the previous dynasty, and after the old Queen Mother died, it was idle, and no one dared to propose to live in the Cuiwei Palace. After Guo Chong ascended the throne, no one lived in this hall. Until one day, Concubine Mei said that her dormitory was not well ventilated, damp and cold in winter, and unbearably hot in summer, which was really uncomfortable. Guo Chong asked her where she wanted to live, and Concubine Mei said that she wanted to go to Cuiwei Hall to live. Guo Chong didn't think much about it, so he agreed to her.

This incident also set off some small waves in the harem. Some people say that this is Concubine Mei wanting to be above the queen of the harem and suppress the queen and Concubine Rong from feng shui, she wants to overlook the world of the harem mother. These words reached Guo Chong's ears, and Guo Chong laughed at them. In fact, the Cuiwei Hall has no benefit except for the higher terrain. The ground on the top of the mountain is narrow, and the temple is not big, only seven or eight warm pavilions and courtyards in the side hall of the main hall, which cannot be compared with other palaces at all. Guo Chong doesn't believe in any feng shui suppression. He believed that where Concubine Mei lived was really because it was uncomfortable to live underneath, and nothing else.

But Concubine Mei is really a clever person, since he lived in Cuiwei Palace, the small hilltop has changed. Although the palace could not be expanded, Concubine Mei did enough work on the side slopes of the hill on all sides. She changed the stone steps up the hill into a trail that loops around the hillside. Nine pavilions were built along the suitable location of the trail, including Fanying, Xuexiang, Pifang, Leadhua, Qionghua, Wenqi, Jiangcao, Hongluan, and Luqi. Just by listening to these names, you know how dedicated she is.

Then there is the greenery, each pavilion has its own scene, and the flowers and trees planted are also different. For example, five-colored flowers are planted outside the Fanying Pavilion, and colorful flowers such as peonies, peonies, and camellia are concentrated on the paths up and down the pavilion. It means 'flowers are like flowers and flowers are colorful', which is in line with the name of 'Fanying Pavilion'. Another example is the Phi Fang Pavilion in the middle of the mountain on the west side, which is adjacent to the northwest lake in the west, although the place is small, but it cleverly uses the angle that you can see the shore of the northwest lake over the palace wall here, and orders people to plant weeping willows all over the northwest lake. When you sit in the pavilion and take a break, you can see the pleasant beauty of thousands of silk silks and hanging green. It shows that it is due to the situation and ingenuity.

The rest of the pavilions are also carefully designed and arranged, alluding to the theme of the pavilion's name. On the route that goes around the mountain in just two circles, it can be said that the scenery is changed step by step, and the winding path is secluded. With each walk, the scenery is different, turning an ordinary artificial hill into a beautiful and exquisite place.

Guo Chong was greatly amazed by this, and came here a lot more often. What he was grateful for was Concubine Mei's ingenuity, although she spent a lot of money for it, but in exchange for these beautiful scenery, it was worth it.

Guo Chong, accompanied by his attendants, slowly walked along the trail to the Cuiwei Hall on the top of the mountain, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Every time I visit, it seems to be different. Although it is the hot season, I don't know what method to use, and the flowers and trees on the mountain road here are still thriving, and there is no sign of withering.

Finally, Guo Chong and the others walked to the top of the mountain, rested for a while in the Green Qi Pavilion, and walked to the small square in front of the Cuiwei Hall in front of them. The weather was hot, and the two attendants in front of the Cuiwei Hall were dozing off with their heads tilted. Qian Delu, who was accompanying him, wanted to raise his hand to wake up the lazy two, but Guo Chong stopped him.

"It's not easy to be on duty in the palace, you have to take care of it sooner or later, it's very hard. If you can fall asleep in this weather, you must have stayed up all night on duty last night. I am compassionate, teach them to sleep, and do not have to reprimand them afterwards. Guo Chong said.

Qian Delu almost shed tears, the emperor can sympathize with the hard work of the slaves and maids, this is a great reward. Qian Delu himself is one of Guo Chong's personal attendants, and he knows the hardships. Qian Delu can only sleep for less than three hours every day, and he has to be energetic in front of the emperor. If you are not careful, you may be to blame, so the hard work to get to today's position will turn into smoke.

Guo Chong took Qian Delu and a few others into the Cuiwei Palace, because the waiter in front of the door fell asleep, and no one reported it. In the afternoon, the slaves and maids also rested in shifts, and the weather was hot, and there were few people hanging under the porch. Along the way, they didn't meet any idlers, etc., and everyone went straight to the residence of Concubine Mei in the apse.

entered the small courtyard of the apse where Concubine Mei lived, and it was quiet. When the two palace maids under the corridor saw the arrival of the holy car, they were so frightened that they knelt down and saluted. Guo Chong waved his hand and asked in a low voice, "What about Niangniang?" Take a nap? But don't disturb her, I just go in and sit down. ”

A palace maid hurriedly said: "The mother didn't sleep, the slave went in to report." ”

Guo Chongleng said: "Why didn't you sleep? Doesn't your mother like to take a nap? ”

Another palace maid hurriedly said: "King Huai is here, talk to the mother." ”

Guo Chong sighed, walked to the door and listened, and heard that there seemed to be laughter inside, so he smiled. His second son, Huaiwang Guo Xu, is quite satisfied, and he also knows that he often comes to talk to her mother, and he is very filial. Guo Xu can be called both civil and military, and he has a good name, and he is smart and polite, and he has led the army and fought on the border of the Great Zhou and Liao, and has won a good reputation for praise. Guo Chong has always been very fond of him, and often takes him with him to accompany him and give him some personal teachings. So when he heard that Guo Xu was also here, Guo Chong immediately wanted to step in.

Suddenly, there was a loud laugh of the mother and son inside, laughing wildly, which was completely different from the usual laughter of Guo Xu and Concubine Mei in front of him. Guo Chong stopped, thinking: They have never laughed so loudly in front of him on weekdays, it seems that they are afraid of themselves and have some restraint. When he went in, wouldn't it disturb the conversation between his mother and son. It's better to sit outside and wait, so that the two of them can talk more considerately, and they don't have to be restrained by going in by themselves.

So Guo Chong softly ordered someone to move the stool and sit outside the curtain outside the room and wait. Qian Delu and the palace maids had no choice but to wait silently. Bringing herbal tea for Guo Chong to drink to quench his thirst, he tiptoed and didn't dare to make a sound.

In the inner room, Concubine Mei's mother and son seemed to talk about some interesting topics, and they laughed constantly. Guo Chong listened without saying a word outside the curtain, and smiled from time to time. Guo Xu was talking about something about his maternal grandfather, Lu Zhongtian. This must have been asked by Concubine Mei, Concubine Mei was concerned about her father, probably to ask Guo Xu to walk around more, and when she came to see herself, she could also talk about her mother's family to comfort the pain of longing.

"Mother, my grandfather's body is very healthy and his spirit is very good, but sometimes he is confused. It is said that a few days ago, when he was painting, he was thirsty, and he reached out to drink the herbal tea brought by the maidservant, but he drank the ink in the inkstone, and his mouth was black. I asked him how it tasted that day, and he said with a pout, "It tastes good." I suggest I give it a drink. Isn't it funny, you say? Guo Xu's voice came.

"Hahaha, oops, my daddy, it's been like this all my life. Sometimes I get so focused on doing things that I forget about things outside of my body. What's so good about ink? Daddy, why are you still so confused. It is also recommended that you drink it, have you drunk it? You don't have to be stupid to listen to him. Concubine Mei said with a laugh.

"Mother, my son-in-law doesn't think my grandfather is stupid. My son felt that my grandfather was reminding me to read more. Doesn't telling me to drink ink just want me to read more? My grandfather must have saved face for me and didn't want to point it out directly, so he took this opportunity to remind me. I do read less, and I really want to read more in the future. Erchen is going to invite a few great Confucians to come to the mansion to teach me. If you don't read, you don't know the reason, you don't read enough books, and you don't know a lot of things. Erchen is going to work hard. Guo Xu said.

"Well, I'm very good, I'm really going to read more. You like to dance with guns and sticks when you are urinating, but I don't know that I am the most important in Da Zhou, and you plan to work hard in this area, which is right. My mother was very pleased. Concubine Mei smiled,

Guo Chong, who was sitting outside, also smiled and secretly praised himself. Maybe Lu Zhongtian just teased casually, and did not imply that Guo Xu wanted to study, but Guo Xu was able to realize this by himself, which shows that he has very high requirements for himself. Guo Xu rarely has the arrogance of a prince, which Guo Mian is far inferior to. Although Guo Mian reads more than Guo Xu in terms of talent and learning, he is far inferior to Guo Xu in terms of reasoning.

"Mother, what has my father been busy with lately? It's been a long time since I've seen my father. My Da Zhou is now full of things, my father is tired every day, but as his son, I can't share his worries, I am really ashamed and guilty. ”

"Xu'er, you have this heart, your father will be very happy when he knows it. Yes, the emperor has been really tired and sad recently, and those people down there and those things in the court are very headaches. He had lost a lot of weight, and he had a lot more gray hair on his head. Your second uncle didn't let your father stop, and they made a fuss about those things some time ago. Make your father angry and heartbroken. You say, why don't these people look forward to the good of the Great Week? Do you have to toss endlessly? Da Zhou is good, aren't you all okay? Xu'er, you should go to meet your father and ask for some errands. Don't be like everyone else who only knows how to eat, drink and have fun, one by one lies on the big tree of Da Zhou like a blood-sucking worm to suck blood, but you don't know how to maintain Da Zhou. The trees are falling and scattering, and no one will have a good life at that time. ”

"The queen mother's words are serious, why did the tree fall and scatter? Even if I am a tree in Da Zhou, it is also a tree with deep roots and lush leaves, and its branches and leaves will not fall. I don't know what others do, but if I am here, I will work with my father to support the giant tree of Da Zhou from falling, and forever shade the world. Guo Xu's voice was categorical.

"I'm so ambitious. Your father will be exceedingly glad to know your thoughts. Emperor, if they all think like you, what are we worried about in Da Zhou? What is your father worried about? It's a pity that they're not all like you. Why is your father suffering and emaciated, and his gray hair is frequent, and he doesn't know how to be troubled by them. Take your second uncle, for example, you know what a bad impact this has caused. Your second uncle killed Kang Zizhen in a moment's anger, the officials up and down were very angry, and your father was also very angry, this is a blatant contempt for law and discipline and contempt for the imperial court. But what's the solution? The Queen Mother came out to speak, and your father was an extremely filial person, so he had to retreat to the next best thing and give a painless punishment. Those ministers are not convinced. Your father knows this, but he can't help it. Sometimes I feel very sorry for your father. Ay! Concubine Mei sighed.

Guo Chong frowned, the chat between the mother and son involved government affairs, and Guo Chong didn't want to hear it. The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs, and although Concubine Mei is right to say these words, it is inappropriate.

"Mother, there is something I don't know if you know, and I don't know if I should say it." Guo Xu said softly.

"What are you hiding in front of me? Do you want to hide anything from your mother? Concubine Mei said angrily.

"No, no, no, how dare Erchen. Erchen felt that this matter might cause trouble, so Erchen didn't want to cause trouble. ”

"What will be the disturbance of my mother and son here? That's it. ”

"Obey the orders of the mother. What Erchen wants to talk about is the case of the second uncle who killed Kang Zizhen without permission. Erchen heard that the reason why the father and the emperor handled it like this this time was because the imperial grandmother came forward to ask for the second uncle's favor. Guo Xu said in a deep voice.

"Needless to say? I've known this for a long time. If it weren't for the Queen Mother, how could this matter be ended like this? So that your father is not a human inside and out. Concubine Mei said angrily.

"Mother, do you know why the imperial grandmother came forward? We all know the behavior of the imperial grandmother, and her old man is strictly opposed to the harem's interference in the affairs of the imperial court. The imperial grandmother has always been virtuous and holy, and it is impossible for her old man not to know that this incident is detrimental to the majesty of her father, and it is impossible not to know that this matter has set a very bad precedent. The case of the second uncle's murder of Kang Zizhen is actually known to anyone with a discerning eye, and he came for the new law. It was impossible for his father to spare him. It is impossible for the royal grandmother not to know this. If she says that her old man is protecting her second uncle, I don't believe it. Before the law of the country, the imperial grandmother would never stand in the position of breaking the law of the country. Guo Xu said in a deep voice.

"Yes, the Queen Mother has always been virtuous, and when it came to your second uncle, we thought she wouldn't come out to speak at first. But in the end she came out and spoke, much to our surprise. Someone told me that day that the emperor had a dispute with the queen mother over this. This has never happened since I married your father. So, I was a little surprised. Concubine Mei said.

"Herein lies the problem. Erchen heard that the night before, someone had gone to see the imperial grandmother, and Erchen felt that it must be because of this matter. The royal grandmother was moved by the lobbyist, so she came forward to speak. ”

"Oh? You mean, someone went to intercede with the Queen Mother? That's why the Queen Mother came forward for this matter? Concubine Mei was surprised.

That's exactly what Erchen thinks. The lobbyist must have been entrusted by the second uncle and wanted to borrow the hand of the imperial grandmother to reduce the punishment. Everyone in the world knows that the father is the most filial to the emperor's grandmother, and if the emperor's grandmother comes out to speak, it is impossible for the father not to listen. ”

"Who's that? Who is so bold? Do you dare to intercede secretly after such a thing? Is it the princess? Or is it someone else? Concubine Mei said angrily.

"Mother, as far as the sons know, the princess and the son-in-law of the palace, Lin Jue, arrived in Beijing by boat in the middle of the night that day. A few days later, someone in our palace secretly went out of the palace to meet the princess in the theater of the Jiangnan Grand Theater in the south city. Who do you guess the princess? Guo Xu said.

"How can I guess? Come on, don't sell it. Do you want to kill me? Concubine Mei said angrily.

"Mother, it was Concubine Rong who left the palace, she went out of the palace to the Nancheng Theater, saying that she was watching a play, but in fact, the real purpose was to see the princess."

"What? It's her? How do you know it's her? Concubine Mei asked in surprise.

Although Concubine Rong was dressed in disguise, she got out of the car on the road and bought food on the street. It was discovered by the people of the Imperial City Division. Guo Xu said in a deep voice.

Concubine Mei was silent for a moment, and said coldly: "I understand, although the princess did not enter the palace to intercede in person, she pleaded with the queen mother through Concubine Rong." Needless to say, the person who goes to the Queen Mother to intercede must be Concubine Rong. No wonder, I said how could the Queen Mother agree to come out and speak, it turned out that she was interceding for others. The Queen Mother hurts her the most. She is the daughter of the Queen Mother's own niece, the Queen Mother couldn't open her eyes with a smile when she saw her, if she pleaded, how could the Queen Mother not allow it? Well, they're doing this behind their backs, keeping us all in the dark. Concubine Rong is interfering in court politics. She's the one who broke the rules. ”

Guo Xu said softly: "What the mother concubine said is not bad at all, and this is what happened." In order to hide people's eyes, they use curve intercession. In fact, it's nothing to ask someone to intercede, and it's human nature. But the method they used was ill-intentioned. Through the pressure exerted by the empress, this in itself is disrespectful to the father. Taking advantage of his father's weakness to achieve his goal is even more reprehensible. That case is secondary, this way of acting and scheming is the most important. ”

Concubine Mei said angrily: "I want to report this matter to the emperor, and the emperor is afraid that he still doesn't know the inside story here." Good thing you know, otherwise we'd all be in the dark. Is the relationship between Concubine Rong and the palace so good? Actually come forward for them at such a time? Isn't Concubine Rong and Shen Akui no longer in contact? In the end, the friendship is not shallow, and he interceded for Shen Akui at a critical time. Hmph, even the emperor was deceived, and the emperor was so good to her. ”

"Mother, don't report this matter to your father, it's not that you deliberately conceal it, your son doesn't want your father to be in a bad mood. My father must have been very unhappy to learn of this. And this thing ...... Erchen always felt strange. Concubine Rong's friendship with the palace should not be to the point of risking it for them. After the second uncle's case came out, everyone avoided it, why did she come forward for this matter? Erchen didn't know what they were talking about in the Jiangnan Grand Theater, maybe there were any conditions for exchange. Or perhaps there is no mutual agreement. Guo Xu groaned.

"My son didn't know that Shen Akui and Concubine Rong were good sisters back then, and the relationship between the two was very good. Middle...... There are other things that I can't tell you about. I always feel that there is some secret between Concubine Rong and the palace. ”