first minister

In the early morning at Duke Wei's Mansion, the carriage drove out slowly as usual, as leisurely as an old man getting up early for a walk.

At the corner not far away, I met another carriage waiting here again.

No greeting was needed. The drivers of the two carriages drove the carriages slowly, one behind the other.

On this morning when late spring was about to pass and early summer was approaching, they did not go to the mutton stall. Instead, they found a soy milk and fried dough sticks shop, ordered soy milk and fried dough sticks, porridge and side dishes, and ate slowly.

After breakfast, the two old men also boarded one of the carriages together.

"Please help me analyze what happened in Qingbei Building. Is there anything weird about it?"

The carriage moved forward slowly, and the owner of the village, Zhao, asked.

Old Xianggong Su naturally knew about that. After hearing the words, he pondered for a moment and said, "Logically speaking, it makes sense. That boy Gao Yang did things so beautifully in Yuyan Prefecture, and he acted vigorously and thunderously. I am afraid that the wealthy families from all over the world are all over the place." I am already frightened. Instead of facing the end like that of the Yuyan Hong family, where the ancestral foundation is completely destroyed, it is better to change my mind, shed some blood, cut some flesh, and cooperate well. At least I can keep my clothes and food, and I may not be able to have a new life in the future. Opportunities to develop.”

He tapped his fingers lightly on his knees, "The three masters of Tushan are both emperor masters and Tian Wenzong, and they have a close relationship with Gao Yang, so they are good candidates. At the same time, for these wealthy families, it is not a shame to show favor to such a figure. . But they have forgotten that the Three Masters of Tushan are different from the ordinary people who claim to be great Confucians but are actually greedy for profit. They have real literati character, and at the same time they are far-sighted. They know that if they comply with this matter, the gains will outweigh the losses and there will be trouble in the future. Infinite. Therefore, this is destined to be an unintentional affair."

Speaking of this, Mr. Su paused for a moment, "I know what you mean, but I didn't expect that they would actually start a quarrel with the Qingbei Building. They went with the intention of trying to please, but in the end they dared to make a noise with others. It sounds a bit unreasonable and unbelievable. But think about it, even if they really have evil intentions, what impact will it have and what is their intention? "

Mr. Zhao, the old village owner, was very pleased that his old friend did not say such stupid things as "I think you are overthinking";

But he also had a headache, because this wise old friend asked a key question, which was also a problem that had always troubled him, that is, where is the basis for doubting them?

The old village owner Zhao sighed, "You know? I haven't caught Xuanhu yet, and I'm always uneasy. He has been in charge of Black Ice Platform for more than 20 years, and he is familiar with all kinds of methods, especially in Zhongjing City. Knowing how many hidden backhands and hidden stakes there are, especially right now, they are already plotting to assassinate His Majesty, how can I be so cautious?"

Old Xianggong Su said calmly: "Since we know that he is going to assassinate Your Majesty, then send more people to protect His Majesty. There is Shang Zhicheng in the palace. When you leave the palace, let your people follow you. No matter how many tricks these people have, how can they still survive? Is it possible to curse His Majesty to death through the air?"

This idea was actually the idea of ​​Mr. Zhao's own. When Mr. Su answered him in the same way, he knew that this was the only thing they could do now.

At this moment, a spy from Heibingtai came in a hurry and said, "Mr. An Guo, Your Majesty has left the palace and is coming to Qingbei Tower today!"

Mr. Zhao and Mr. Su immediately looked at each other and their expressions changed drastically.
-

At Chen time, Concubine De accompanied the neatly dressed Dongfang Bai to have breakfast, stretched out her hand to help him straighten his clothes, and said with a smile: "The queen is waiting for you to come back."

Dongfang Bai nodded heavily, "Don't worry, mother, I will take care of things and come back safely."

Concubine De hummed and smiled softly, "Your Majesty is gifted with intelligence. Naturally, such a trivial matter can be easily accomplished."

Dongfang Bai blushed, bowed respectfully, and left. He took a few steps and couldn't help but jump excitedly. But then he seemed to have thought of something, and immediately held his head high, walked a few steps upright, and then quietly turned back.

Concubine De looked away slightly, pretending not to notice, with a warm smile on her lips.

When Dongfang Bai was completely out of sight, she slowly walked to the back garden under the leadership of Grandma Yuan and took a leisurely walk.

Walking in the imperial garden, Concubine De sighed, "Tiffany Xu also left the palace two days ago, and the harem has become increasingly deserted."

Listening to the master's resentful tone, Grandma Yuan naturally hurriedly explained, "Isn't there a house full of spring flowers and beautiful things to accompany the empress!"

She smiled and held Concubine De's arm slightly, "In another month, His Highness will be accompanying the empress again, so why should we say so coldly! Haha!"

Hearing this, Concubine De also subconsciously stroked her belly and smiled. After waiting for a moment, she suddenly asked: "Speaking of which, Marquis Jianning is coming back soon. He has been traveling for several months on state affairs. His two newlywed wives, I’m afraid I’m blaming Aijia in my heart.”

Although Aunt Yuan didn’t know how the empress suddenly jumped from the matter of giving birth to His Highness to Marquis Jianning, she quickly advised her after hearing this: “Both ladies of Marquis Jianning are both noble ladies. They have a general understanding, not to mention that it was thanks to the empress that they were able to marry Marquis Jianning together, and it was a good story, so how could they blame the empress for state affairs!"

Concubine De smiled, caressed her belly, and walked forward slowly.

Dressed in palace attire, the country is beautiful and fragrant.

At this moment in Changle Palace, Meng Yong was still making his final hesitation.

Concubine De treats her servants like them very well. No one in the palace has ever died on weekdays, but in Changle Palace for so many years, only those who really turn their backs on their master and seek glory will be punished. The matter of killing.

And now that they have survived the most difficult period, they can prosper and prosper in peace and stability, why do they still want to do such a thing!

However, the pressure that Xuan Hu brought to him was really terrifying. That kind of thing was like a scar imprinted on his body. No matter where he was now, when he touched it, it was still difficult to deal with it. Suppressed pain.

It's like the unbearable past of being bullied severely in childhood. Even if you become stronger in the future, when you see the other person, the shadow will still cover your mind subconsciously.

Just as he was walking hesitantly in the palace, a low voice suddenly came from his ears, "Sir Xuanhu wants to say hello to you."

He stopped abruptly, turned around suddenly, and chased after that figure, but when he turned the corner, there were only other maids in front of him who were as quiet and busy as silent cows and horses.

He stood there blankly, letting the pleasant wind make his heart feel cold.

How many people are from Xuan Hu in this huge palace?

If Xuanhu's confident attitude of leaving without waiting for his reply the night before was the bargaining chip that crushed his mind, this low-pitched greeting just now was the evidence that convinced him that the Queen Mother and Her Majesty were really going to die.

"Eunuch Meng, what are you doing for me?"

A young steward came up to greet him. Meng Yong glanced at him, shook his head, turned around and walked back to Changle Palace.

When he returned to the palace, he took the initiative to help prepare lunch. Everyone was an old man from Changle Palace, so no one felt anything strange.

When he tremblingly took the chopsticks hidden in his sleeves out of his bag and placed them in the Queen Mother's position, he completely surrendered.

After doing all this, he retracted his trembling hands into his sleeves and walked silently to a corner where no one was paying attention.
-

Outside the city gate of Zhongjing City, the gatekeeper who was on duty today was sitting on the city gate bored.

"General! Look!"

A soldier suddenly exclaimed and pointed with his finger outside the city gate. The gatekeeper looked along and saw a cavalry team of about two to three hundred people, rushing towards the city gate with no hesitation on horse power. .

The city gate general was shocked, and just as he was about to take action, the cavalry team shouted in unison, "The Marquis of Jianning is returning to the capital, make way!"

Marquis Jianning?

The city gatekeeper quickly stopped his men from pulling up the suspension bridge, and then hurriedly ran down the tower.

Just as he stood panting, the sound of horse hooves resounded loudly in the long city gate.

"The Last General Dong"

call!

The team didn't stop for a moment because of his loud greeting, and without even slowing down at all, they rushed straight towards Miyagi.

The city gate general was blankly recalling the scene just now, Marquis Jianning? Where?

Is that the person at the front who is not much different from a beggar?

I won't be cheated, right?

A moment later, the imperial guards guarding the city felt the same way. Just as they were about to start a complicated verification process, Xia Jingyun's riding whip started to wave!

But in the end, the whip fell on Kong Chu!

"Open the door! I will enter the palace alone! If you dare to delay, be careful of your nine clans!"

Fortunately, the palace gate guard recognized Chen Fugui behind him in time and quickly opened the palace gate, allowing Xia Jingyun to rush into the palace.

Seeing Xia Jingyun galloping in the palace, the palace guard swallowed his saliva. Didn't he say that Marquis Jianning was gentle and courteous? Why are you so domineering? ——

In Changle Palace, Concubine De walked back slowly with the support of Nanny Yuan.

Meng Yong nervously followed the crowd to pay homage. He always felt that everyone was watching his every move. In the next moment, someone would rise up and shout to take him down. Thinking of this, he was so nervous that his back was soaked with sweat. .

However, this guilty-minded gesture did not really attract everyone's attention, because when the Queen Mother came back, everyone had no time to pay attention to him.

The Queen Mother sat on the soft couch, and the maids helped knead the legs and feet, soothe the swelling, and comb the muscles and bones. The rest of the palace people were also busy. As soon as noon arrived, lunch was delivered from the royal kitchen. There were dozens of plates of different sizes. Grandma Yuan first took the silver needle and tested the poison one by one.

Then he took a plate, took some of each item from it, put a large plate on it, and handed it to a palace attendant at random.

Although this is a step to test the poison, it does not happen once in dozens or hundreds of years in troubled times, so it has become a rewarding behavior.

Being able to eat the same meals as the emperor or the queen mother is a great reward for these humble servants in the eyes of outsiders.

After all, even important officials in the court rarely have the opportunity to dine with His Majesty and the Queen Mother.

The waiter finished the meal in a hurry, not only because he thought it was delicious, but also because it was a requirement of the system's rules.

Then, after she sat quietly for about a cup of tea and confirmed that there was no problem, Nanny Yuan said to Concubine De: "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."

Concubine De frowned, "The Ai family really doesn't have much appetite, so why don't we just let everyone share it today?"

Aunt Yuan shook her head and insisted: "Mother, if you don't have an appetite, you should also think about Your Highness, right?"

Concubine De sighed and picked up the chopsticks on the table.

"Sister! Wait!"

A loud shout across the courtyard wall made Concubine De's hands tremble suddenly. She stood up in surprise and saw a man covered in dust and disheveled rushing into the palace like the wind.

Panting like an ox, anxious.

The moment he saw Concubine De safe and sound, Xia Jingyun felt the urge to cry.

He resisted the urge to hold her in his arms, looked at the food that had not yet been touched, and breathed a long sigh of relief, "Sister, I'm just worried that the enemy may poison you, which may endanger your life."

De Fei hummed in a low voice, tilting her head slightly, looking at Xia Jingyun, as if she had seen every bumpy mile and every dust in his journey back to Zhongjing at night, and silently, her eyes were full of tenderness. pulse of tears.

Seeing Concubine De in tears, Xia Jingyun wanted to comfort her but was not suitable. Coupled with the dirty look on her body, she was a little at a loss for a moment.

Fortunately, Aunt Yuan spoke up in time: "The Marquis Jianning's concern for the empress is truly touching. However, the safety of the empress is also a matter of great concern to us. All the food we eat has been tested for poisons and tasted. , will be enjoyed by the empress, there will be no accidents, please rest assured, Marquis Jianning."

If Xia Jingyun hadn't clearly known about De Fei's other ending, he might have been comforted by these words, but after having a clear direction, he immediately discovered the loopholes in it.

He looked at Nanny Yuan and said, "There is no problem with the meal, but where are the bowls? Where are the chopsticks? Where are the tea sets? If the thief poisoned the tea sets and the bowls and chopsticks, would the people who tasted the food still use them? Would you like to try my sister’s food?”

Aunt Yuan looked at Xia Jingyun with a somewhat helpless expression.

It’s not that I think what he said is right, but I feel that his words are somewhat care-free and careless. These things are placed in Changle Palace and are never touched by outsiders. How could there be any problem?

But Concubine De didn't think so. She still looked at Xia Jingyun with tenderness on her face, watching him worry about her, be careful about her, and take care of herself in every possible way, and her heart was filled with joy and tenderness.

Xia Jingyun slowly walked to the table and looked at Concubine De's dishes and chopsticks, "Who placed this today?"

Everyone looked at me, and I looked at you, and finally gave way to Meng Yong who was standing in the corner.

Meng Yong felt like the world was spinning and he was sweating like rain. How did Marquis Jianning get out? How did he know!

Xia Jingyun directly picked up the bowl and picked a plate of vegetables, then handed the pair of chopsticks over and looked at Meng Yong, "Eat it."

Everyone in Changle Palace looked at Marquis Jianning's behavior in surprise.

This is something reserved for the Queen Mother, how could it be!

But he glanced at the Queen Mother again. She was looking at her with tears and laughter, but they didn't say anything to stop her. There was no chance for them to talk.

Meng Yong was still making a death struggle, "Jian Jian Ninghou, this... this is the imperial gift of the empress. I, this slave, do not dare to overstep it."

"If I tell you to eat, just eat! The Queen Mother is right here, and she didn't say anything. What's wrong? But are you afraid?"

Seeing Meng Yong like this, Xia Jingyun had basically determined the truth in his mind.

Meng Yong fell to his knees on the ground with a plop and howled: "The empress and Marquis Jianning are all being forced by Xuanhu and the thief step by step. I am also forced to have no choice!"

This cry shocked the entire Changle Palace, including Concubine De, into shock.

Black fox?

Is what Marquis Jianning said true?

Did someone really poison the empress?

Or one of Changle Palace’s own?

Xia Jingyun didn't risk his life by getting too close because Chen Fugui wasn't around. He just said coldly: "Tell the truth and I might consider sparing you."

When Meng Yong poured beans out of his bamboo tube and revealed the fact that Xuanhu forced him to poison him and he secretly exchanged the silver chopsticks, the entire Changle Palace fell silent.

Xia Jingyun picked up the chopsticks and looked at them carefully. Sure enough, he found a few small holes in them that could not be seen without paying attention.

There was a very thin splicing line on the top. He slowly separated it and saw the venom in the hollow silver chopsticks.

He picked up a bowl of soup, slowly dipped his chopsticks into it, stirred it a few times, and then asked the palace attendant to find a small animal and feed it into the soup.

In just a few breaths, the little animal's limbs twitched and turned over.

Seeing this scene, everyone in Changle Palace, including Concubine De, was dumbfounded.

If Xia Jingyun hadn't arrived, if Xia Jingyun hadn't exposed the conspiracy, Concubine De would have died, and the entire Changle Palace would have had their heads chopped off.

As a result, everyone headed by Aunt Yuan looked at Xia Jingyun without any doubts and complaints as before.

All that remains is utter admiration.

In the previous dynasties, it was said that Marquis Jianning was full of strategies and powerful, but they, the harem women and chamberlains, at most knew that Marquis Jianning treated lowly people like them equally, but they had no concrete idea of ​​how powerful Marquis Jianning was. Only now do I know what it means to be powerful, what it means to be magical, what it means to hold up the white jade pillars that support the sky, and the purple golden beams that support the sea!

Immediately afterwards, overwhelming anger arose in their hearts.

The Queen Mother is so kind to us servants! You, Meng Yong, are so arrogant that you actually did such a thing!

What makes them even more angry is that if Meng Yong really succeeds, they will probably all be implicated and executed. You fucking don't want to live anymore, why do you want to implicate us!

In the angry eyes of everyone, Xia Jingyun turned to look at Concubine De, not wanting Concubine De to be tarnished by her benevolent reputation, and immediately took matters into her own hands and said: "Using a slave to harm the master is the same as the following, and poisoning the Queen Mother of the dynasty is an unforgivable crime. ! Come here, take him to the Black Ice Platform and interrogate him carefully."

Meng Yong knelt on the ground and immediately started the moral kidnapping, "Empress, I have served you for many years. Even under the circumstances like Dongfang Ming's, I still haven't changed my loyalty. This time I was just coerced by the traitor. Please forgive me! "

"The Queen Mother is kind and hopes that you all can live with dignity. She also hopes that you can be empathetic and work together to create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere in Changle Palace! It is even more of a model for the harem! But you, knowing that the Queen Mother is pregnant with Liujia, still poison her Of course; knowing clearly that the Queen Mother has important responsibilities for the country, you still poisoned her for personal gain; what face do you have to ask the empress to show mercy outside the law! What face do you have to think of yourself as an old man of Changle Palace! If you don’t kill you on the spot, you are already the empress. You're so kind! Someone, come here! Drag him out!"

Xia Jingyun shouted coldly and concluded the matter.

When Meng Yong was dragged out by the palace guards, Xia Jingyun sat on the chair almost as if he was exhausted, breathing heavily. Concubine De slowly walked towards him and said softly: "Without you, my mother and son would have died. He died on the spot."

Xia Jingyun looked up at him, their eyes met, and a thousand words gathered quietly.

His body, which was extremely tired, could not support the complicated thoughts. Xia Jingyun tried his best to stay awake and changed the subject, "Sister, where is the pig?"

Concubine De said slowly: "Today is the day every tenth day when Shi'er goes to Qingbei Building to attend classes. Something happened there yesterday. He went out early today."

Xia Jingyun stood up immediately as if he had been hit in the head, "Oh no!" (End of Chapter)