Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 428
The good days are always short-lived. After taking a break, Lai Shangrong also began to be busy with the affairs of the yamen.

Qiu Lie's brigade also set off after he took a rest.

The annual spring and autumn hunts in the Great Xia Dynasty had never been interrupted. However, something happened during the spring hunt in Tienwang Mountain that year, and neither the Supreme Emperor nor the Zhenglong Emperor were involved in it anymore.

The past two years have been a superficial show, just a party for the clan and nobles to have fun and hunt.

This year, with the participation of Prince Jing, a powerful contender for the princes, not only the nobles of the clan, but also many civil servants sent their children to participate in the event, which also made the momentum of this year's autumn hunting much larger than before.

However, without the emperor's participation, there was no need for civil servants to accompany him, and Lai Shangrong had no nephews of the right age, so he did not pay too much attention to this autumn hunt.

Queen Tian, ​​who was in Fengzao Palace, was staring closely at the autumn hunt.

"Empress! Uncle Guo, please see me!"

"Hurry up!"

Hearing the maid's report, Empress Tian suddenly stood up from the phoenix couch, her phoenix eyes were fixed on the palace door.

After a while, Uncle Guo Tianchang walked in with a solemn expression.

Without waiting for the invitation to salute, Queen Tian immediately backed away and said with an anxious look: "Have everything been arranged?"

Qiuye sent Prince Jing to preside over it. It was Emperor Zhenglong's impromptu decision. Originally, the queen and Tianchang had other arrangements.

However, the number of people accompanying Qiu Xie when leaving the capital was complicated, and the security was not as good as that of the palace, but it was more convenient than expected, so the plan was temporarily changed.

Tian Chang said rejoicing: "Don't worry, Madam! Everything has been arranged. Fortunately, this time the emperor arranged for Zuo Xiaowei to accompany him. Among them was a spy who was sent to Prince Zhongshun's Mansion in the early years. He was later sent by him to infiltrate the palace of Prince Beijing. It’s actually better than our original arrangement!”

For the Tian family, as long as they get rid of suspicion, they will sit firmly on the Diaoyutai. As for whether King Beijing or King Zhongshun is implicated, it actually doesn't matter much.

In fact, for long-term considerations, it would be better to bring down King Zhongshun, who is quite prestigious in the clan, than to point the finger at the fallen King of Beijing.

Moreover, this kind of double spy is quite rare and is more conducive to getting rid of one's own suspicion.

Regardless of whether the emperor thought that King Beijing was dissatisfied with his impulsive act, or that King Zhongshun was putting the blame on him, he would not doubt the Tian family who benefited the most.

"But it was arranged in the 23rd year of Mingde?"

Tian Chang hesitated and said: "Uh... that's right? It was your suggestion back then, otherwise, King Zhongshun and the Emperor's mother, the same mother, and the ministers would not have thought of arranging spies in his house!"

After confirming the doubts in her heart, the queen's face suddenly became uncertain.

Tian Chang observed the words and expressions, and immediately asked: "Mother, is there anything wrong?"

"Do you know why I suggested this back then?"

"This..." Tian Chang thought for a moment and said in surprise: "Could it be the emperor..."

Before Tian Chang could finish speaking, Queen Tian nodded solemnly and explained: "Back then, the situation of the succession was unclear. Although King Zhongshun was a sibling of the same mother as the Emperor, were there many cases of father and son fighting each other in the Tian family? How could the Emperor do that? Are you completely assured of King Zhongshun?
But at that time, King Zhongshun was the emperor's right-hand man and had an informant in his house. The emperor was also worried that leaking the news would chill people's hearts, so he hinted that I would use his family. "

Prince Yi Zhong was very powerful at that time. If Prince Zhong Shun defected in battle, the consequences would be disastrous. How could Emperor Zhenglong not take precautions?

Judging from the situation at that time, the only one who could let him put aside his worries was probably Queen Tian.

After all, as a royal concubine, she was already bound to the then Emperor Zhenglong. Once she failed to seize the rightful son, she would also be held accountable.

In fact, there is another layer that Queen Tian has not mentioned. Even if the Tian family's spy is noticed by King Zhongshun, the emperor may not give up his carriage to protect the commander-in-chief. When the time comes, it may not be impossible to stage a show where brothers are like brothers and women are like clothes.

Although she didn't say it, Tian Chang obviously thought of it.

"No wonder I didn't tell you the truth at the beginning. It turned out that I had already prepared for the worst!"

"Since the Supreme Emperor has chosen me to be Princess Yong back then, our family has no way out. If the Emperor is even slightly careless, our family will be in doom.

If we can sacrifice a little in exchange for the emperor's great treasure, our family will always be able to make a comeback! "Yes, even if Emperor Zhenglong had to stage a show of brotherly love, given the circumstances at the time, at most he would only give the queen a small punishment or a big warning in exchange for the loyalty of King Zhongshun.

Once he ascends the throne and gains power, the grievances suffered by the Tian family will inevitably be doubled.

After confirming that the double spy was ordered by the emperor, Tian Chang immediately said: "Then I will terminate the plan now, and we should follow the original plan!"

Just about to turn around and leave.

I saw a sharp look flashing out of Queen Tian's phoenix eyes, and she said in a deep voice: "Come back!"

"Miss?"

"At the beginning, the emperor deliberately avoided suspicion and did not interfere with the personnel. Now that times have changed, who can say clearly? How could there be such a coincidence in the world? The spy planted by King Zhongshun happened to be the spy we arranged back then?

Since God has arranged it this way, it is impossible for us to just follow the destiny and follow the trend! "

After a pause, he continued: "Besides, the emperor is young. Once the emperor falls ill, he must make some arrangements for the future affairs of the government. As the emperor's younger brother, King Zhongshun also has the merit of serving the dragon. This will assist the government." His position will definitely be indispensable.

He is the elder of the emperor, and he is in charge of the clan house. I am afraid that he will be in trouble in the future, so he might as well take the opportunity to get rid of him... Even if the accusation cannot be proven, it is enough to make the emperor suspicious! "

"But I'm afraid that the emperor will think of the past and have unnecessary associations. Wouldn't we be in trouble by then?"

"Of course we can't go according to the original plan, and the palace has to make some arrangements. Think about it, if two princes are murdered at the same time, who will benefit the most?"

"King Zhongshun!" Tian Chang suddenly realized, but then said with a look of shock: "But if His Highness King Qi..."

"How could I harm my own child? Of course it was an attempted murder!"

"But, will there be no silver here?"

"I've been following him for so many years, but I still don't know his character? He claims to be a famous emperor. As long as there is no evidence, even if he has doubts, he will worry about what the history books will say.

Moreover, once something unexpected happens to Prince Jing, the emperor is his only hope. The ruler is weak and the minister is strong. For the sake of balance, he will not do anything to me!

However, once his suspicion is aroused, life at home may not be so easy! "

"Save it for me! The slight grievance and temporary hibernation are all worth it. As long as His Highness King Qi can ascend the throne, why worry about the family not being prosperous?"

"Okay! To avoid arousing his suspicion, don't enter the palace unless absolutely necessary! When will the Tienwang Mountain side take action?"

The palace's plan can't be too early or too late. Tiewang Mountain is not far from the capital, and it's only three to five days' journey at a quick pace.

If it is done too early, it will easily arouse the emperor's vigilance. Whether he first suspects Prince Jing and his mother and concubine, or is worried about Prince Jing's safety, it will inevitably add unnecessary trouble.

If it is too late, it will easily arouse the emperor's suspicion.

"Wei Chen told him not to act too hastily and wait until halfway through the autumn hunt before taking action!"

Queen Tian nodded and silently counted the time.

Then he warned: "Okay! Remember, the emperor is suspicious by nature, and the relationship between loyalty and obedience to the palace must not be exposed from the beginning. The Jin Yiwei will have to spend a lot of effort to show its authenticity!"

"Wei Chen understands!" Tian Chang said worriedly: "The empress herself should be more careful!"

Queen Tian waved her hands feebly: "Okay! The court is about to disperse, so you should leave the palace as soon as possible!"

Seeing Tian Chang's leaving figure, Queen Tian sat on the phoenix couch, seemingly lost in thought.

…………

(End of this chapter)