There is a black lotus in the deep palace

Chapter 38 Waiting for You to Confer Merit
The royal chariot team set off before dawn, and it was already evening when they arrived at Beiming Mountain.

Soldiers from the two teams of Imperial Forest Army led the people to set up camp and prepare for tomorrow's stands. The logistics of all parties were also busy setting up tents, cooking fires, and serving the masters of each family.

The camp on the hillside of Beimeishan was busy.

The most central one is the bright yellow main tent of the emperor. On the right side of the emperor's tent are the tents of the empress and several concubines, and on the left side are the prince, king Ping, and several unmarried princes.

The crown prince and King Heping have female relatives, so the camp will be larger, while the rest of the princes have only one solitary master account.

There are special guards outside each tent of the royal family, and the guards of the female family members' tents are more strictly guarded.

The entire large tent is also guarded by two teams of Royal Forest Army, which is similar to a palace wall in form, and idlers and others without purpose are not allowed to enter.

Outside the 'Human Flesh Palace Wall' of the Royal Forest Army are the camps of ministers and royal family members.

These people are not qualified to use the Imperial Forest Army. They are all temporarily dispatched for the defense of the capital. The number is not large, but they are selected from the best to ensure hunting safety and prevent emergencies.

……

The annual hunt is of great significance and the scene is grand, and the courtiers who can come to participate are extremely honored.

Tang Zhenxiao and his wife were ordered by the emperor to come to participate, and their faces were even brighter.

No, when the tents of the Tang family were set up, military generals would come to visit.

Some came to ask for advice, some wanted to learn martial arts, and even a princess who was good at martial arts also came to visit Mrs. Tang.

Although Mrs. Tang is gentle and elegant, she is not blind to martial arts. She is very good at wielding the Willow Leaf Flying Knife, which is not inferior to a man in the slightest.

A princess had long heard of Mrs. Tang's reputation, and came here especially for her name. Finally, she saw her.

The surrounding maids applauded and applauded, and the scene was lively.

And Tang Zhenxiao was no less impressive. He and a few old friends, plus a few juniors who came to visit because of their reputation, made a simple meal for the table.

Eating and drinking at the same time, occasionally getting up and making gestures, the scene is also very happy.

There is a grand scene of literati and refined scholars talking about it.

……

Xia Houyan stood outside the tent, looking out across the imperial forest army.

Although he can't see it very clearly, he also understands the general situation.

After thinking about it, he raised his foot and walked here.

Because he had just dismounted not long ago, he was wearing a silver python robe and hadn't had time to change it yet.

When walking, the corners of his clothes fluttered, showing the dignity of a prince from the royal family.

"General Tang is really in a good mood!"

Before the person arrived, Xia Houyan's voice came over.

Everyone was drinking, turned their heads when they heard the words, and when they saw it was him, they quickly got up to meet him.

"So it's the Fourth Prince!"

"What wind brought you here?" Some acquaintances joked.

Xia Houyan immediately smiled.

"I have admired General Tang's reputation since I was a child, but it's a pity that since I was young and sensible, General Tang has been guarding the northwest, so I have no chance to recognize him as a teacher!"

"It's a pity to think so!"

"I finally have a chance to meet you today. My prince will naturally come. Why...you don't welcome me?"

Tang Zhenxiao toasted and got up quickly.

"Where is!"

"The old minister's place is simple and crude. Your Highness has been wronged!"

"If Your Highness doesn't mind, how about having a few drinks with us?!"

"Good!" Xia Houyan was very happy.

"The general invites me, but this prince is disrespectful!"

He sat down on the small stool beside Tang Zhenxiao.

Because it is temporary, the tables are very short and the stools are even shorter, and the rough people sit in various postures, and no one laughs at anyone.

Now that the fourth prince is here, they have no choice but to sit still, each of them very coy.

Xia Houyan despised it even more in his heart. If it wasn't for his mother's confession, he would not condescend to go here.

Fortunately, the people present are all armed men, and it is not a loss to please them, otherwise...

He raised his glass.

"All the generals are people who have made great contributions to my Great Xia. My prince respects everyone!"

Seeing His Highness being polite, several generals quickly toasted together.

After drinking for three rounds, the chatter box of several people opened up, and everyone chatted, and the atmosphere was lively.

Only Tang Zhenxiao understood somewhat in his heart that the letter was handed to him by the prince's subordinates, so it should be true.

The fourth prince is the queen's own son, and the prince is the queen's adopted son. It is said that one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.

Therefore, it is very likely that the fourth prince came to tell him the 'good news' and persuaded himself to submit to his fate.

As long as he loses military power in his hands, he is like a tiger whose teeth have been pulled out, or an eagle whose wings have been clipped.

Without the support of his Yue family, the crown prince will benefit from the queen mother and son after all.

Hehe...it's really a good plan.

Tang Zhenxiao stared at Xia Houyan with a half-smile, clinked glasses with him and drank it down in one gulp.

Sure enough, the other party started talking.

"Speaking of meritorious service, how many of us in the Great Xia Dynasty can compare with General Tang!"

"The general has been busy all his life for the Great Xia Dynasty, and now at the age of knowing his destiny, he is still conscientiously guarding the border in the northwest, which is really admirable!"

"The day before yesterday, my father also said that he would give the general a first-rank title and a mansion, so that you can enjoy your old age in the capital and enjoy the imperial salary!"

As soon as these words came out, the few people who were joking just now immediately fell silent.

Everyone looked at Tang Zhenxiao at random, with complicated eyes, as if they were dissatisfied but did not dare to express it.

The atmosphere froze, and Tang Zhenxiao suddenly smiled after a while.

"So it is!"

"Your Majesty Long En, the veteran should be grateful! It's just that the veteran has been in the northwest for many years and can no longer adapt to the climate of the capital. I'm afraid..."

He declined with a smile.

"Let's talk about this matter later! It's still early! It's not a problem for the old minister to fight for the emperor for another ten years, hahaha..."

He declined with a smile.

Xia Houyan also smiled apologetically, but a cold light flashed in his eyes.

'Fight another ten years?This old man is ambitious! '

After another ten years of fighting, his eldest son will be able to experience it. When he retires, his son will be on top, and the father and son will continue one after another. With such a reliance, the crown prince may be able to ascend the throne smoothly...

No!

The crown prince is just a lonely person, if not for the protection of his father, he might have died in the palace long ago, how could he have the splendor he is today.

Obviously, he is the legitimate son of the current empress, much more noble than that motherless child.

Why can't the prince be him?
Besides, if Xia Houjue is allowed to ascend the throne, he doesn't know if his mother's life will be good, but his own life will definitely be difficult!

After thinking about it, he smiled again.

"The general is joking!"

"If the general is old and still goes to the battlefield, I'm afraid the people will say that the father doesn't care about the heroes!"

"Besides, Ling'ai has become the crown princess!"

"When you confer meritorious service and have a title, the general's wife will be a first-rank imperial order, and it will be convenient for you to enter the palace to see your daughter, don't you think?"

(End of this chapter)