This can be remembered

Chapter 33
"Really?" Seeing this, Lu Youxi waved the people around to retreat, and hurriedly dragged Ling Xuewei to the inner room: "My good sister, do you really have a sweetheart? Tell my sister quickly."

"Sister..." Ling Xuewei hesitated. She and Lu Youxi grew up together, and their friendship is extraordinary. At this moment, she struggled for a while, and finally opened her mouth: "I only met him once, but I don't know him. Who is it, I didn't even see the face..."

"Then?" Lu Youyou was puzzled.

"I just feel that when I see that person, I know that this person can know and stay with me, and I will be in harmony with each other."

"My sister is like this, won't you be too arbitrary?"

"It may be ridiculous to say this feeling, but I really think so. However, I never expected to have a good result. After all, the marriage is decided by my parents. I don't know, I don't know the face, even if I want to find it, how can I find it. What's more, Luohua has intentions, but I don't know if the flowing water has feelings. It's just my sister's wishful thinking." Ling Xuewei said at the end, the words fell silent.

Hearing what she said, Lu Youxi couldn't help but sighed, and comforted her: "Sister, there is no need to worry. I believe that Prime Minister Ling will not point out a bad marriage for her. The future husband and son-in-law will definitely win the prize, and he will definitely marry him." I will love my sister."

Ling Xuewei laughed: "Yes, I don't think my father will wrong me." After speaking, she looked out of the window, the severe winter gradually faded, and there was a crisp bird song, she stood up: "I forgot what I came here for .My mother said that lunch is almost ready, let me call my sister. I will use it in my mother's room today."

Looking at the woman in front of her, Lu Youpin sighed in her heart, being trapped by love is the most painful thing in the world.But there was a smile on his face: "Then go quickly, you have been delayed with me for a long time."

On this day, King Yu held a small banquet in the mansion.He returned to Beijing from the southwest, and although he followed Shen Xiyao's wish to live in the Qingyan Hall in the palace, the Empress Dowager often called the families of high-ranking officials to gather in the palace for a few days, in order to avoid suspicion, he went back to the palace.The courtyard of Prince Yu's Mansion is famous for its tranquility and elegance among the mansions in Beijing, especially the gardens.This time he invited some friends who used to walk around to have a drink and have a good time. They were all sons of princes and literati.

The party is held in Qingfenxuan, surrounded by clear streams and snowfall, stone steps piercing the clouds, white stones as fences, surrounded by pool rocks, stone bridges and three harbors, with animal faces and spouts, and pine and bamboo are planted all over the place, making it even more noble in winter.The banquet is simple yet exquisite. On the table made of silver high-legged pear blossoms, there are scattered imperial teas, as well as honey lotus soup, longan and bird's nest soup and other nourishing meals. A servant looks after a red A small clay stove, simmering the wine he brought back from the southwest.

A few people stood under the window, facing the pine waves, sipping fine wine and chatting happily. They were nothing more than some recent anecdotes in Beijing, or commenting on new poems.Among them, Zhao Yuanzhen's marriage was the most popular. Although it was the intention of the parents, Miss Lu's beauty and virtuousness were well-known in Jiangning, not to mention her wealth. It happened that Zhao Yuanzhen was also present today, so she was ridiculed by everyone .

There was a lot of chatter for a while, but the most talked about was Lu Shifan's promotion and achievements in recent years, as well as his relationship with China.Zhao Yuanzhen didn't care about this, he just smiled and listened to their teasing. In a blink of an eye, he saw King Yu standing by the window, looking at the garden full of pines and bamboos in thought, and suddenly remembered that the governor of Liangjiang, Lu Shifan, and Ling had a very good relationship. King Yu It was Ling Xiang's own idea to go to the Southwest before, and it made him unhappy with the emperor. This time when King Yu returned to Beijing, the emperor hoped to stay here, but Xiang Ling still wanted King Yu to go back and garrison.At this time, they mentioned Ling Xiang a lot in their conversations, wondering if it aroused King Yu's worries.Then he quickly changed the topic, pulled Zhang Haotian who came with him, walked behind King Yu and said: "Haotian, the poem you wrote just now should be judged by the prince."

Shen Xihe turned around with a usual smile on his face: "Oh? Let's hear it."

Zhang Haotian smiled: "I am foolish, please give me your advice." Then he said: "I don't know if the sleet fell in the court, but it is suspected that the forest flowers bloomed last night. Thousands of peaks, stones, thousands of jade, ten thousand trees and ten thousand clouds."

Everyone applauded, and suddenly someone outside the door laughed and said: "It's good to say 'ten thousand pines and ten thousand clouds'." The voice was loud and clear, and everyone was stunned when they heard it. The sound of the pines is clearly audible.

The door of the hall is open, the clothes are whirling, but the feet are very light.The attendants and guards are like stars holding the moon, and the visitor wears a silver-yellow "everything goes well" embroidered gold brocade silk robe and a black fox cloak. The sable wind collar sets off a clean and handsome face, with a smile on his lips meaning.Although King Yu was also a little bit drunk, he woke up most of the time, hurriedly greeted him, and said: "The emperor is here, and the minister has not greeted him from afar. I hope the emperor will forgive me."

Shen Xiyao looked relaxed, helped King Yu up with his own hands, and then said: "I didn't let them pass it on. The weather is fine today, so I wanted to go out of the palace to see how the people's lives are going to be this year. When I passed by your mansion, I remembered what the Queen Mother said. I haven't seen you for a few days, and I miss you, so I came to call you into the palace. I don't want you to feel at ease, tasting wine and discussing poetry, so happy." As he said, he took off the black fox cloak, revealing the purple gold narrow body and auspicious cloud pattern arrows inside. Xiu Diaoqiu looked around and said: "It's warm here." Seeing other people kneeling on the ground, he waved his hand: "Everyone get up."

Everyone thanked En and got up, but they all stood respectfully with their hands down.Seeing them like this, Shen Xiyao smiled and said: "I have arrested you all this time."

King Yu stepped forward with a smile: "They are all chatting about trivial matters in Beijing, so naturally they dare not listen to the uncle."

"What's the matter? Speaking of which, I've also heard some anecdotes about Beijing and China recently."

Everyone looked at each other, Zhao Yuanzhen blushed and said, "Fang Zai, everyone is making fun of the minister's marriage..."

Shen Xiyao saw that his neck was turning red, so he smiled and said: "This is a good thing, I have heard about it, she is Lu Shifan's daughter, her lintel is not low, and she is in the right family with you." Looking at the crowd, they were all young courtiers, Duo didn't marry a wife, so he joked: "This is a good thing. If any of you have such a happy event, report it early, and I will prepare a congratulatory gift."

Then one person pointed to Zhang Haotian in the crowd, and said with a smile: "Brother Haotian, I heard that your father also arranged a marriage for you. Is this really the case?"

Zhang Haotian's father is quite noble, he was born in a famous family, and he has a very high vision.The education and marriage of children is even stricter.Especially the eldest son, Zhang Haotian, put all his heart and soul into it. Fortunately, Zhang Haotian did not disgrace his father's cultivation, and he can be regarded as a leader among the young and middle-aged generation.

At this time, Shen Xiyao heard such news, he couldn't help being curious, raised his eyebrows and said: "Oh? I don't know about this yet, which family's girl is in your father's eyes?"

Zhang Haotian's father was none other than Zhang Hongsheng, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, who proposed to the Ling family.

"My father hired her as Ling Xiang's only daughter." Zhang Haotian replied respectfully.

"Ling Xiang's daughter?" Someone exclaimed in disbelief.

Shen Xiyao raised his eyebrows, and said with a sarcastic smile, "Master Zhang is really good at picking."

Everyone could hear the displeasure in the emperor's tone, and they all thought it was because Ling Xiang and the emperor were at odds.Zhang Haotian also regretted being so frank, it was something that hadn't been written yet.After thinking for a while, he said, "There is no indication from the Ling residence. I don't know why my father decided to make a marriage. That Miss Ling family is unknown in Beijing, not as good as other ladies..."

Immediately someone echoed: "Yes, this young lady of the Ling family is unknown in Beijing, I'm afraid our Haotian will be wronged." He patted Zhang Haotian on the shoulder as he spoke, as if he was very sympathetic.

A cold gaze swept over, like icy ice, the speaker shivered and shivered, following the gaze, the emperor looked as usual, holding a glass of wine to his lips, as if he was thinking about something.

"Your majesty." Seeing the abnormal behavior of the emperor, King Yu called softly for some reason.

Shen Xiyao seemed to have recovered from meditation, and raised his head to drink the wine in the glass, but frowned. It turned out that the wine had been cold in his hand for a long time. A nameless fire.At this moment, my mind has turned a few times, angry, worried, apprehensive, nervous, and at a loss. After drinking the wine, I calmed down.

With the strength of the Zhang family, there is no guarantee that Ling Xiang will not agree to Zhang Shangshu's marriage proposal.Ling Xuewei has indeed reached the age of leaving the court, and Ling Xiang's daughter is well hidden. In the past, people who proposed marriage all had their eyes on the lintel of the Ling family.Ling Xiang would not wrong his daughter, so he repeatedly declined.But now, the situation between him and Ling Xiang is quite obvious, and the people in the court are best at standing in line.I will always have full power, and some officials have quietly withdrawn from Ling Xiang's faction.At this time, Zhang Shangshu's marriage proposal was not only about the marriage of his sons and daughters, but also the marriage of factions in the officialdom. In addition, Zhang Haotian was very handsome and talented, and now he was an official in the court and was appreciated. Ling Xiang agreed. Sex is not small.

If Ling Xiangyun agrees, she is the Zhang family.Thinking of Ling Xuewei getting married, Shen Xiyao felt 1 unwilling.However, she is a woman, so she has to go out of her way.Shen Xiyao doesn't want the person he loves to have a good home, but he also feels that no one else is worthy of marrying her except himself.Such a struggle.At this time, he looked at Zhang Haotian with three points of jealousy and seven points of dissatisfaction.

After thinking about it, Shen Xiyao put down the wine glass in his hand, and seemed to be just teasing casually: "If Haotian thinks this marriage will wrong you, why don't I point out a marriage for you."

Zhang Haotian and everyone were startled, the emperor bestowing marriage is a great honor, rare for others.But seeing the hint of a joke on the emperor's lips, he wondered if he could take it seriously.At the moment, he had no choice but to bow: "I have no virtue and incompetence, so I dare not accept such kindness from the emperor."

Shen Xiyao waved his hands, but stopped talking.It's just that there is some need to relax in his expression, he turned his head to King Yu and said: "Go and prepare, and go back to the palace with me later."

On the way back to the palace, because the weather was still cold this year, the two brothers took a large sedan chair.Along the way, Shen Xiyao just watched the passing street scene outside the sedan chair, remained silent, uncharacteristically.King Yu knew that the emperor was not using his heart at this time, but he didn't know why.If it was a marriage between the Ling and Zhang families, it would not be the case.But apart from this encounter, apart from what I saw when I left the palace today, there is nothing else.After thinking for a while, he said, "This time, when I return to Beijing, I can see that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the merchants are honest. This is the result of the emperor's brother's sloppiness over the past few years. The people are all grateful."

Shen Xiyao shook his head: "Dongdu suffered floods this year. Although there are no refugees, the loss is not small. I have already exempted them from paying taxes for three years. But it is those dirty officials who make me feel cold. Discovered this year, there will be no such thing as this year."

Hearing this, King Yu comforted him: "Brother Huang, don't blame yourself too much, but the government should be rectified when it should be rectified."

Shen Xiyao's eyes lit up: "You think so too?"

King Yu nodded and said: "My brother thinks that the current assessment mechanism is not perfect, and many local officials have lied about their achievements, so they really should be reassessed."

Emperor Yu nodded: "However, this has to be done slowly, and a long-term plan must be considered. If the medicine is too strong, it will be counterproductive."

King Yu saw that the emperor looked relaxed, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes, so he knew it was not because of the affairs of the court.Naturally, he didn't ask much about the emperor's private affairs, but he had a faint thought in his heart that this matter was related to Zhang Haotian's marriage just now.

After sharing dinner with the Queen Mother, the two brothers discussed some important matters of the country. It was getting late, so King Yu stayed in Qingyan Hall.When the emperor returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was time for him to go to bed in the past, and it was too early to review the memorial.Seeing the tiredness on the emperor's face, Zhang Dehai quietly stepped back and brought the maids and eunuchs in with the washing utensils.But the emperor was not in front of the case.After searching carefully, the emperor was in the bedroom, with his back to the door, facing a wall beside the dragon bed, lost in thought.Zhang Dehai looked at it, then waved his hand to signal the others to retreat and wait outside the door.

"Your Majesty," he stepped forward cautiously. The wall was originally decorated with a brocade of golden dragons that live happily ever after. At this time, the brocade was lifted to reveal a portrait hanging inside.The brushwork of the painting is from the hands of everyone, and there is a poem next to it, "Thousands of flowers dare to grow out of the snow, and one tree alone will be the first to spring in the world." On the painting, there are red plum blossoms blooming freely and proudly.But it is not as elegant as the beauty in the front.The beauty is sober and out of the dust, leaning on a tree of plum blossoms, like a ray of flower soul, as beautiful as a banished fairy.It was the portrait of Ling Xuewei copied by the emperor before, and it was hung in this hidden place without even being framed.

"Your Majesty, it's time to go to bed." Zhang Dehai said softly, looking at the small Western chiming bell next to him.

Shen Xiyao nodded, as if he didn't hear it, he just stared at the portrait and said quietly: "Tell me, if she married someone, what should I do?"

Zhang Dehai was taken aback, he had never heard the emperor speak in such a tone, but seeing the portrait, he understood the emperor's thoughts, and he knew who the "she" the emperor was talking about, but he didn't know why the emperor suddenly asked about this, maybe it was today What did you hear when you left the palace.But I didn't know how to answer, so I thought about it and said with a flattering smile: "I don't know who the emperor is talking about."

Shen Xiyao turned around, staring at Zhang Dehai with a melancholy expression: "You don't know?"

Zhang Dehai saw that the emperor really asked, thought for a while, and answered boldly: "The emperor wants to hear the old slave's truth?"

"Of course. But it doesn't matter." Shen Xiyao turned around again.

"This old servant boldly guesses that the emperor really loves Miss Ling's family." He quietly raised his eyes to see Shen Xiyao's reaction.I saw him still standing there without saying a word, but there was tenderness in his eyes.Then he said again: "It's just that the emperor is jealous of the identity of Miss Ling's family, and he doesn't want to welcome her into the palace. But she is a woman after all, and she always wants to marry. So..." Zhang Dehai hesitated for a moment, thinking maybe This is an opportunity for the emperor to see clearly, so he took a deep breath and said: "So why don't you facilitate a marriage for Miss Ling's family, and personally choose a good husband for her, who can sing harmoniously with her, and grow old together... ·" Zhang Dehai said at the end, his voice gradually lowered, because he had seen the dark cloud on the emperor's face, but he still mustered up the courage to finish: "In this way, although she can't be with the emperor, after all, she is happy, Isn't it what the emperor wants to see the most. If they enter the palace, those concubines..." Zhang Dehai didn't say any more, he knew that the emperor would understand what he meant.

"It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't." Shen Xiyao's tone was very helpless, with a sad expression on his face.Soon she became resolute: "You are right, but I don't think there is anyone in the world who can be worthy of her. At least, that Zhang Haotian can't."

Only then did Zhang Dehai understand that the emperor had heard about Mr. Zhang proposing marriage to the Ling family, no wonder.

"Then what is the emperor's plan? The old slave heard today that Ling Xiang has the intention of agreeing."

A sly smile appeared on Shen Xiyao's face, he looked at the mahogany tray on the pear wood table, and said, "I remember, Concubine Liu has a younger sister."

(End of this chapter)