Mountains and rivers pray for peace

On June 28, it was a warm day in the capital, with gentle wind and clear blue sky.The feeling of summer is gradually approaching, making people feel warm all over.

On the list for the concubine's birthday banquet, in addition to relatives of the emperor, princes, generals and ministers, they were all officials of third rank or above and their wives.In such a big battle, Emperor Xiaowen almost made it clear that he promoted his concubines and the Liu family.Everyone in the court secretly discussed that although Liu Tiangang, the Minister of Civil Affairs, died of a useless son, he also got a favored niece by some strange combination of circumstances.

Of course, besides these, there are always people who think deeper.

Nowadays, the concubine has no children. Even if she has children, it will be difficult for her to compete with these grown-up princes.The Nie family and the Liu family were related by marriage, so it was logical for Concubine Zhen to choose to be the helper of the fourth prince.In this way, although the second prince fell, the fifth prince could not be regarded as a dominant family.The position of prince will never be known to whom it will fall until the end.

It was almost a quarter past noon, and Shangyi Bureau was enveloped in a tense and solemn atmosphere.Yang Shangyi went to the queen's side, and left most of the rest to Huo Qi, who stayed behind.

Huo Qi walked out of the room holding the copied gift book, and saw several rows of palace maids standing neatly in the courtyard waiting to be dispatched.

Seeing her coming, Zitan said sternly: "Sir, everyone is here. Except for those who stay in the bureau to work, the rest can follow you to the east and west gates to welcome the guests."

Huo Qi glanced at the rows of palace maids and had a rough idea in his mind before nodding and smiling: "Thank you for your hard work."

Zitan didn't take any credit, and Huo Qi really didn't like flattery, and she knew it.He just said respectfully: "This is all my servant's responsibility. The time has come, sir, do you want to leave now?"

Huo Qi glanced at the sky, ordered usneas and went out of the queue, and then said with a smile: "The civil and military ministers go in and out of the east gate, and the clan princes go in and out of the west gate. You take half of the people to the west gate, and I take the others." How about Usnea and the rest of the group go to the east side door?"

According to common sense, Huo Qi comes from a duke's family, so he should be willing to go to the west gate, and maybe meet Ning Guogong face to face. The father and daughter exchanged some warm words, but now they have to go to the east gate in person... …

Zitan was confused when she heard Huo Qi continue: "You have been on duty in Shoukang Palace for many years and are familiar with the clan. I can't be more at ease if I entrust you with such an important errand. If you meet my family, you will also Please take good care of me."

With such an explanation, Zitan's worries suddenly disappeared, and she just smiled and said, "I obey, my slave."

Huo Qi nodded, led a group of people out of Shangyi Bureau, and went straight to the east door.

※※※

The east side gate of the palace has been opened wide, and there are guards guarding both sides. They are wearing gold and silver fish scale armor and wearing black gold-painted soap boots. They look majestic, showing the royal bearing and majesty from head to toe.

This was the first time for Usnea to see such a battle, and her face was a little frightened: "Sir, I'm a little scared."

"Don't be afraid." Huo Qi gave her a reassuring smile, "Didn't you proofread the portrait according to the list in the gift book before? Just lead people all the way to Zhiyang Hall. Besides, if you mess up the errand, And I'm holding on from the front. The sky won't fall."

After a period of observation, Huo Qi found that Usnea was smart, alert, bold and careful, and her temperament and methods were similar to Ting Yu at home.The most important thing is that she has a clear mind and is trustworthy, so she also intends to cultivate this little girl.

After hearing what Huo Qi said, Usnea nodded heavily: "I understand."

"Well, do you still remember what I told you before?"

Huo Qi looked towards the tall and majestic palace gate. Official carriages were parking at the gate one after another. The servants and maids accompanying them helped the masters out from behind the curtain of the carriage. They were fragrantly dressed and very lively.

Usnea glanced at the row of palace maids standing behind her, and when she saw that there was some distance, she lowered her voice and said, "I remember, I will try to lure Mr. Lu away." Huo Qi nodded and patted her shoulder. , turned around to greet the ministers and ladies who had arrived. After greeting each other, they ordered different palace ladies and led them to Zhiyang Hall where the banquet was held.

After all these people left, it was not until a quarter of an hour later that another carriage slowly stopped at the gate of the palace.The carriage body was extremely luxurious, covered with a layer of brocade as thin as cicada wings, and the cat's eye stones inlaid on the wheels were shining, so grand.

Soon, the driver in the middle got out of the car, bent down and lifted the curtain, and a man and a woman looked out of the car.

The first thing Huo Qi saw was the lady following behind.

With a round face, triangular eyes, and jewels all over her body, she was the familiar face she had seen in the Nie family - Mr. Fang.As for the middle-aged man in front wearing a scarlet golden pheasant round-neck robe, no need to think about it, he is naturally Liu Tiangang, the current Minister of Personnel.

Liu Fang, the only son of the Fang family, obviously looked much older. The heavy makeup could not hide the black spots under his eyes. Even the domineering energy he had when he was trying to prove Huo Qi's innocence in the Nie family was gone. .

In contrast, Liu Tiangang looked energetic, with no trace of sadness at all. He was of medium height and had the shrewd elegance of a scholar.

Huo Qi went up to greet him. When Fang saw the familiar yet unfamiliar pretty face, her face suddenly darkened: "Isn't this Miss Huo? Oh, look at my memory. Now that I have entered the palace and been appointed an official, I should call her Mr. Huo."

Huo Qi didn't show any special expression because of this. After the ceremony, he smiled and said, "Mrs. Liu can call her whatever she wants, it's just a title."

When Liu Tiangang saw Fang's appearance, he stared at Huo Qi's face for a while, and this time he connected the young girl in front of him with the daughter of Duke Ningguo in his memory.

At that time, Mrs. Fang wanted to work with Mrs. Liu to trick Huo Qi, but in the end, that stupid girl Nie Ying got in trouble.Afterwards, he heard Mr. Fang mention the matter and got angry.

Liu Fang was already dead. Liu Tiangang didn't want to have any grudges with Duke Ning's government. He gave Fang a warning look and then said to Huo Qi: "Huo Sibin, please send someone to invite me and my wife to the table." .”

Huo Qi Congshan Ruliu said: "This is natural." After saying that, he ordered an experienced and steady palace maid out from behind.

Fang was unwilling to give in and was about to say something more to try to squeeze Huo Qi, but she heard the sound of horse hooves coming from far and near.When the carriage stopped, the head of the carriage was engraved with the Lu family emblem.

She subconsciously looked at Liu Tiangang, and when she saw that Liu Tiangang was also looking in the direction of the carriage and did not look back for a long time, she deliberately coughed, gritted her teeth and said, "It's getting late, let's go quickly."

Liu Tiangang came to his senses, laughed awkwardly, and followed the palace maid one step ahead.

Huo Qi obviously saw the dispute between the couple and smiled. After watching Liu Tiangang leave, she stepped forward to greet the Lu family.

The Lu family's carriage looked much simpler. In addition to a few servants, there were also two pretty maids behind it.The car curtain shook, and a middle-aged man got out first. He was wearing a dark brown plain satin peacock embroidered robe and had an ugly appearance. He was undoubtedly Lu Xingping.

Then the person who got out of the car was a young and beautiful girl with bright eyes and white teeth, and a very beautiful appearance. She must be his wife Yan Hanxiu.The two of them stood together, one beautiful and one ugly, the contrast was huge, and they had a rather nondescript feeling.

Even Usnea couldn't help but sigh when she saw it: "Mrs. Lu is so beautiful."

Huo Qi smiled. If it weren't for such beauty, how could Liu Tiangang, a sanctimonious old man, take such a big risk to offend Lu Xingping?