Even though the atmosphere of the new year had already swept through the entire capital of the Great Jin dynasty, the palace was unexpectedly lifeless, even worse than usual. Ever since the Crown Prince had been seriously injured, there had been no cure for him. But because of Jin Ling's Divine Physician Xia's personal diagnosis and treatment, his life had been saved. But even if his life was saved, he would be a cripple for the rest of his life. This meant that the Crown Prince's position was certain to be lost. The Empress had actually aged ten years in one night. Originally, she still held the title of Empress, but now she was chanting sutras and praying in the temple every day and night, looking like she was going to give up the position of Empress.
In the past, this action of the Empress would not be regarded by the court, but at least the inner palace would be in chaos. The nobles would fight to the death in hopes that they could sit on this position. After all, the mother of the country meant that she was the most respected woman in the world. But now, no one cared, because the Emperor was in a rage because of Xuan Hua's matter. The Fifth Prince had been beheaded for plotting to murder the Crown Prince, and Concubine De, who had seemed the most dependable, had also become a nun. Of the newly promoted concubines, Jiang Dan had been beaten to death, and Wang Lian 'er had suddenly contracted a terrible disease. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that something was wrong. Thinking that something must have happened in the inner palace, who would dare to seek misfortune at this critical juncture? No matter how great the temptation, they would shrink back at the sight of it. Moreover, the Emperor was not in a good mood.
It was just that the few sons who had been able to vie for the throne, not to mention the Crown Prince, who had not been favored, Xuan Hua's sudden fall from the horse's saddle had a great impact on the previous court. The court officials were already divided into two factions in secret, no, it should be said that they were openly divided into two factions. One faction supported Xuan Li, and the other faction was Xuan Pei's supporters. Because Xuan Hua's former subordinates were included, they were actually on par with Xuan Li, and even seemed to be overtaking him.
But no matter what, New Year's Eve and New Year's still had to be celebrated. It was just that it was not as lively, and it was rather bleak.
In the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, Empress Dowager Yi De looked at the list in her hand, nodded, and slowly said, "Just do as the top says, and add an Agarwood Ruyi."
Yang GuGu bowed her head in agreement. After handing the list to a palace maid on the side, she went around to the back of Empress Dowager Yi De and carefully massaged her shoulders, saying, "Empress Dowager has people send New Year's gifts to Jinying Wang Fu, if someone sees it …" These New Year's gifts were all sent to Jinying Wang Fu. In the past few years, ever since she had learned of Xiao Shao's background, Empress Dowager Yi De had scrupulously abided by the idea of protecting Xiao Shao. Apart from secretly showing concern, she had never done these suspicious things. This was the first time that she had sent gifts to Jinying Wang Fu with great fanfare.
"Do you think those people won't know if you don't send them?" Empress Dowager Yi De looked at aunt Yang with a smile that was not a smile and said, "Ai Jia has long wanted to do this, but for so many years I have been timid. If I don't do it now, I'm afraid I won't have this opportunity in the future."
These words were tactful, but they contained a kind of shocking meaning. Yang GuGu was startled and couldn't care about anything else. She hurriedly walked past Empress Dowager Yi De and knelt in front of her, saying, "Empress, please don't say that."
"Forget it." Empress Dowager Yi De waved her hand. At this moment, there was no one else in the hall. Empress Dowager Yi De's eyelids seemed to close slightly, but her voice was clear and bright, "The sky is about to change, a storm is coming. Wan niang, Ai Jia and you have lived for most of our lives, what have we not seen? How can we be blinded by this little bit of wind?" She gave a long sigh, "Only, Ai Jia still has many wishes that have not been fulfilled. Originally, I thought that there was still a long time, but in the blink of an eye, more than half of my life has passed. "
Yang GuGu lowered her head and listened quietly. She heard Empress Dowager Yi De say, "Is the Emperor's health better?"
"From what Li gonggong said, it seems to have gotten worse." Yang GuGu said awkwardly. Except for a few trusted aides and Empress Dowager Yi De, no one else knew about the Emperor's serious illness. These days, everyone in the palace thought that the Emperor's mood was not good because of Xuan Hua's matter, so he was particularly gloomy and rarely left his chambers. In fact, it was because the Emperor's body was becoming more and more decayed. Illness came like a mountain, and illness left like silk. Even the ruler of a country could not avoid begging for mercy in the face of time. Now that Xuan Hua was dead, the court was in turmoil. If the news of the Emperor's serious illness were to spread, who knew how much disaster it would cause, so they had to hide the news.
"This is fate." Empress Dowager Yi De's voice did not contain any joy or anger. She only said, "A new Crown Prince will be elected sooner or later, and the monsters and demons will begin to move."
Yang GuGu had followed Empress Dowager Yi De for many years, and there were many things that Empress Dowager Yi De did not hide from her. There were almost no secrets between the master and servant. Hearing this, GuGu Yang said, "Does Empress Dowager want to personally go to court?"
If the Emperor's illness continued to drag on, it would be impossible to hide. There were many eyes in the palace watching, and many of them were astute. Once it was revealed, not only would the world be in chaos, but it would also cause a lot of trouble. When Empress Dowager Yi De was young, she had acted swiftly and decisively, and it was not as if she had never listened to politics from behind the curtains. It was only later when the Great Jin Dynasty gradually stabilized and the throne was secured that she began to fade from the view of the court. Now, if it really reached that step, it was understandable that Empress Dowager Yi De would come out to control the court.
"What will Ai jia do in court?" The smile on Empress Dowager Yi De's lips was a little cold. Her silver hair, set off by the glittering light of the golden hairpin, glowed with a cold light. She played with her ruby armor and said, "If I don't make this pool of water muddy, how can I catch the good and the bad? Ai jia also wants to see who is coveting the world's rivers and mountains. " She slowly lowered her head. "You think that Ai jia can't do anything just because I'm trapped in the harem? You really are a clown."
GuGu Yang said tentatively, "But His Majesty's meaning is that you want …"
"Ai jia originally thought that this position was prepared for him, that it would be justifiable for him to take over the Great Jin Dynasty's rivers and mountains. But now it seems that he has no interest in this position. He has the same temperament as his father, and is even more stubborn than his father. Ai jia can't do anything to him. No, it's Ai jia who is afraid. " The older, stern woman showed a rare look of exhaustion. This woman looked incomparably grand on the outside, and her methods were swift and decisive. But her husband had long suspected that her maternal family had collapsed, and she had lost her son and then her daughter in her middle age. Some pain could never be told to outsiders. No matter how well she concealed it, only she knew the pain in her heart. She thought that she owed Crown Prince Hong Xi, so naturally she would not make things difficult for her son. It had to be said that Crown Prince Hong Xi's final ending was partly due to her. If she did not want to repeat the same mistakes, she could only retreat. She sighed deeply. "The Emperor wants to do as he pleases, but there are things that even the Emperor cannot do anything about. Ai jia and the Emperor both owe him. No matter what the Emperor thinks, Ai jia will help him. "
"But if he is unwilling," GuGu Yang was somewhat troubled, and carefully probed, "according to Empress Dowager's opinion, who should we help?" This country was ultimately the Xuan family's country. If that person did not accept it, between Xuan Li and Xuan Pei, one of them would be the future Crown Prince of the Great Jin dynasty. Empress Dowager Yi De did not show much enthusiasm for these two grandsons, but Empress Dowager Yi De's attitude was indeed very important.
"Wan niang, do you still not understand?" Empress Dowager Yi De smiled, but her smile was a little strange in GuGu Yang's eyes. She said, "Ai jia has been hesitant to make a decision because I want to see their actions. The Great Jin dynasty's country is ultimately the Xuan family's country. But now, there was someone with a different surname who wanted a share of the spoils. The stage has already been set up. Ai jia also wants to see this play, and who the actor is. "
GuGu Yang's body trembled, and she instinctively looked up at Empress Dowager Yi De. She saw that this old woman, who had experienced the ups and downs of the Great Jin dynasty, had witnessed the country's prosperity and people's peace, and had already somewhat cultivated her mind and stopped caring about worldly affairs, suddenly had a sharp glint in her eyes. In an instant, she had returned to the days of the golden spears and armored horses. It was as if her hair had not yet turned grey, and her youth had not yet reached the twilight of her life. Her sharp sword was unsheathed, swift and fierce.
On New Year's Eve, the faint sound of fireworks and firecrackers could be heard from outside. It was probably set off by the concubines and womenfolk in the inner palace for the sake of liveliness. After all, no one knew that the Emperor was seriously ill, and they thought that the Emperor was not in a good mood, which was why there was no New Year's Eve banquet. When these women were lonely, they could only find their own entertainment. Empress Dowager Yi De closed her eyes, as if she had fallen asleep on the soft couch. GuGu Yang gently took a blanket from the side and carefully covered Empress Dowager Yi De with it. She cut the candle in the candlestick, and then quietly retreated from the bedchamber.
…
On this day, Jin Ying wangfu was exceptionally lively.
On the first day, Jiang Ruan had brought Xiao Shao back to the General fu to pay a visit to Zhao Guang's family. Although the men of the Zhao family were very dissatisfied with Xiao Shao's stealthy abduction of their daughter, the women of the Zhao family were very satisfied with Xiao Shao. This was because Xiao Shao's appearance was good, and although his temperament was cold, he was steady. Moreover, he did not even have a tongfang by his side. This point satisfied the women of the Zhao family the most. If there was anything bad about it, it would be that his reputation was somewhat poor. Seeing how Xiao Shao carefully took care of Jiang Ruan, they also felt that this point was not important.
Although Xiao Shao's expression was indifferent, his etiquette was also thorough, so that no one could find a single fault with him. In addition, Jiang Xin Zhi and Jiang Ruan were used to conducting themselves, so they mediated a little, and the knot in the hearts of the Zhao family was untied. They treated Xiao Shao as their legitimate son-in-law. Today was New Year's Eve, and they were going to spend it at Jin Ying wangfu. Jiang Ruan originally thought that it would be just the two of them, because Xiao Shao had no other relatives. Who knew that while he did not have any relatives, his martial brothers had come.
Guan Liang Han naturally accompanied his parents over, but Mo Cong, Xia Qing and Qi Feng came uninvited. Perhaps Mo Cong had recently been pressured by his family to discuss marriage, and had actually escaped on New Year's Eve. After thinking for a while, he guessed that there was no place for him to hide, so he naturally went to the door of the wangfu.
Xiao Shao naturally would not say anything, and Jiang Ruan would also not drive them out. Housekeeper Lin, on the other hand, felt that it was good. The more people there were, the more people the wangfu would appear to be flourishing. In his happiness, he secretly added a few more precious dishes to the New Year's Eve dinner without Jiang Ruan's knowledge. However, the servants of the wangfu had always had plenty of money in their hands, and as the housekeeper, he naturally would not care about this small amount of money. It was just that when Mo Cong arrived and saw the dishes, he exclaimed exaggeratedly, "I think that the food in the Imperial Kitchen is only so-so. Third brother, you are really too extravagant!"
"Really extravagant!" Xia Qing nodded in agreement as he desperately stuffed food into his mouth.
Mo Cong glanced at him and said in disgust, "Pay attention to your table manners. In any case, you are also from the same sect, and you are also a celebrity. How can you eat like a country bumpkin?"
"What do you know?" Xia Qing naturally had an unrestrained temperament. She frowned and said, "It is best for all living things in the world to return to their original hearts. Why bother with those miscellaneous things? They are all fabricated! "
"Naturally — —" Mo Cong looked at her with a smile. When it came to arguing, Xia Qing was naturally not a problem. He deliberately dragged out his words and shook his head, "I heard that the eldest daughter of Elder Lin's family is a bookworm. A scholarly family is most particular about rules and etiquette."
"You, you are talking nonsense." Xia Qing stared blankly and somewhat guiltily said, "Miss Lin is not such a pedantic person."
"Aiya, it's fine if you don't believe me. The people in our circle in the capital all know what kind of personality Miss Lin has. If you don't believe me, fine. Tomorrow, when my third sister sees Miss Lin, she will mention you. She will say that you are not bound by the rules and etiquette of the world. When you eat, you pay attention to your freedom. You are the most carefree …"
The crystal shrimp dumpling in Xia Qing's mouth fell with a plop. In desperation, he could only ask Xiao Shao for help, "Third brother …"
Qi Feng stuffed a bun into his mouth and jokingly scolded, "What an idiot."
Dewdrop was making a snowman outside. Lian Qiao squatted on the ground and set off fireworks. Tian Zhu crossed his arms and looked at the two of them. Tian Zhu originally felt that these women's playthings were disdainful, but now they were not so disdainful in his eyes. The corners of Tian Zhu's mouth slightly curled up. Dewdrop's snowman was a mess. One could barely see the shape of a human, but its head was bigger than its stomach. While he was muttering to himself, Jin Er walked over and snickered, "Yo, are you playing with yourself?"
"What does it have to do with you?" When Dewdrop saw Jin Er, it was as if she had lit up a firecracker. Especially when she heard that Jin Er had been going to the brothel to carry out his mission recently, she initially felt a little suspicious. Later on, she personally saw Jin Er coaxing a top courtesan in the brothel. He was indeed a veteran in the field of love. Dewdrop was angry and sad when she saw this, so she simply ignored Jin Er for the past few days.
Jin Er rubbed his nose. He really did not know how he had angered this great aunt. When he saw that Dewdrop really ignored him after she finished speaking and went back to making a snowman, he suddenly felt a little guilty. After thinking for a moment, he also squatted down next to Dewdrop and wanted to help her make a snowman. However, Dewdrop did not ridicule him like she did in the past. She only lowered her head and silently made snowmen. Jin Er felt a little strange. Suddenly, he felt his hand heat up. He was stunned for a moment and saw that there was a crystal clear drop of dew on the back of his hand. He suddenly realized something and quickly reached out to hold Dewdrop's shoulder and pulled her towards him. Indeed, Dewdrop's shoulder was still shaking. He reached out to lift Dewdrop's chin and saw a pear blossom's tear-stained little face. It was very pitiful.
"What's wrong?" Jin Er was a little flustered. He hurriedly used his sleeve to wipe Dewdrop's tears and said, "I was wrong. Hey, don't cry. If I've angered you, why don't you hit me a few times and I'll help you vent your anger?"
Jin Er was used to coaxing women. Usually, when he saw a woman crying, his words would make people laugh through their tears. However, when faced with Dewdrop who was crying, he was at a loss of what to do and did not know what to say.
Hearing this, Dewdrop cried even more sadly. As she cried, she said, "Why did you come over to coax me? Why did you provoke me? Go look for your sweetheart. Stay away from me. "
Jin Er was taken aback. He did not know what the sweetheart that Dewdrop mentioned meant. In front of him, he was more worried about how Dewdrop could stop crying. He said anxiously, "When did I provoke you? Everything was fine. How did it become my fault again? Hey, don't cry. I don't know what to do if you cry."
Dewdrop ignored him and turned to leave. She had a straightforward personality and was born in the marketplace. She was not bashful like other women. She was innocent and unaffected, but also had a heroic spirit. She cried as she said, "Provoking this and provoking that. You really are not a good person. Lecher! Young Master Hua Hua! "
Jin Er finally understood something and hurriedly caught up to her. As he wiped away her tears, he said, "Speak clearly. Who did I provoke this time? How did I become Young Master Hua Hua? I'm not married yet. If you ruin my reputation for no reason, you'll have to take responsibility. "
Dewdrop glared at him, tears still in her eyes. She said fiercely, "That's the top hostess of Fengjiao Brothel. Do you dare to say that you haven't provoked her?" Seeing Jin Er's dazed expression, Dewdrop stamped her foot again and turned to run away. Jin Er was stunned for a moment until Tian Zhu, who was at the side, said coolly, "If you don't chase after her, she'll go and provoke the top hostess of Fengjiao Brothel."
Seeing Jin Er's figure running away, Lian Qiao was overjoyed. She forgot that she still had a lit firework in her hand. Unexpectedly, her hand was suddenly grabbed by someone and pulled to the side. The firework suddenly flew up into the sky. Only then did she regain her senses. Looking at the ashes on the ground, she felt a lingering fear. Beside her ear, a man's low reprimanding voice said, "Be careful."
Lian Qiao raised her head and saw that Ye Feng was also looking at her. The two of them looked at each other and both felt a shock. Lian Qiao hurriedly withdrew her hand. Ye Feng also coughed lightly and pretended as if nothing had happened to look at the firework in the sky. Housekeeper Lin walked past with a lantern in his hand and coincidentally saw this scene. Immediately, tears flowed down his old face. He put his palms together and closed his eyes to pray, "The heavens have eyes and have finally blessed my Jinying Palace with a prosperous population and peach blossoms for ten miles."
"I wonder when this old peach blossoms will bloom?" Jin Si jumped down from the wall with a blade of grass in his mouth and teased Housekeeper Lin with a smile.
Housekeeper Lin's old face turned red and he said, "What does a little girl know? Back when I was the most beautiful person in the capital, there were so many young ladies who threw fragrant sachets and fresh flowers at me. It was also a house full of red sleeves …"
"Achoo." Jin San sneezed and pulled Jin Si out, saying, "What an old story. Why are you still here? What's there to listen to about the story of a rotten old man?"
"Who's a rotten old man!" Housekeeper Lin flew into a rage, "I'm a handsome man, a handsome man!"
…
Everyone had their own way of celebrating New Year's Eve. Some people celebrated it warmly, while others celebrated it coldly. For example, at the Eighth Prince's residence, although it was also filled with songs and dances, fine wine and delicacies, there seemed to be something lacking. The man on the main seat had a gentle smile on his lips, as if he was bathing in the spring breeze. He held a white jade cup in his hand and smiled as he clinked cups with the person opposite him.
The person opposite him was also dressed in grey, with a long curtained hat that almost covered half of his face. It was none other than Yuan Chuan. He downed the wine in his hand in one gulp and sighed, "The fine wine of the Great Jin Dynasty is indeed mellow and mellow. Your Highness's residence is especially mellow and mellow."
"It's just a worldly possession," Xuan Li smiled slightly and spoke with utmost sincerity, as if he was facing a close friend from childhood. "If you like it, I am willing to share it with you." He was not referring to the fine wine in front of him, but the meaning behind his words was something that the two of them had to guess on their own.
Yuan Chuan put down the wine cup in his hand, his red lips curling as he said, "Speaking of which, now that His Fifth Highness is not here, the Crown Prince's great undertaking is difficult. The important matter of appointing a Crown Prince is imminent, and Your Highness's great undertaking is at hand. It is worthy of celebration and should be congratulated." Saying so, he cupped his hands in salute and performed the etiquette of the Jin Dynasty.
Xuan Li watched quietly, not stopping him, but also not returning the greeting. His smile did not change in the slightest, as if this was not something worth mentioning.
Yuan Chuan's eyes narrowed slightly. This young man was not stupid, at least his patience could not be underestimated. Hearing this, his face did not reveal the slightest trace of pride or worry, as if he knew that he had something to say next. There was no need to hide anything when dealing with intelligent people, so Yuan Chuan did not intend to hide anything. He smiled and said, "It's just that Yuan Chuan thinks that Your Highness still has some troubles."
Xuan Li smiled without saying anything. Yuan Chuan said, "Forgive me for being so bold, but the Great Jin Dynasty's territory originally belongs to Your Highness, and there is nothing wrong with that. It's just that among the princes, besides Your Highness, there is also the Thirteenth Prince. Your Highness is a dragon and phoenix among men, and also talented and romantic. This is an impeccable matter. Even if the Thirteenth Prince came later, just by relying on his new power, there is nothing to fear. It's just that … "He paused, his tone somewhat regretful," He just had to follow Jinying Wangfu. "
Xuan Li's fingers moved imperceptibly. Even if it was a small movement, it was still captured by Yuan Chuan. He curled his lips and said with a smile, "Jinying Wangfu has the power of 300,000 troops, and its unshakable foundation is even more unfathomable. There is a saying — the one who obtains the Jin Guards will obtain the world. Perhaps this is not without reason."
Xuan Li sighed, a trace of embarrassment hanging on his face, "I once tried to be on good terms with Jinying Wangfu, Xiao Shao. Unfortunately, it was difficult to move him no matter what. I do not know how Thirteenth Brother managed to gain his favor, and actually secretly protect him. Perhaps this is heaven's will. "
"Your Highness is wrong." Yuan Chuan smiled mysteriously, "There is no such thing as heaven's will in this world. The mysteries of heaven that can be glimpsed is not something that can be changed overnight. This world should originally belong to Your Highness. In reality, it is not that Thirteenth Prince has gained the favor of Jinying Wangfu, but that Thirteenth Prince has gained the favor of Jinying Wangfei. "
"Can Yuan Chuan dispel my doubts?" Xuan Li asked with a smile.
Yuan Chuan lowered his head and said respectfully, "This is only natural. The Imperial Court is in chaos, and the Thirteenth Prince is well protected, making it difficult for him to move. Jinying Wangfu is even more impenetrable, and the only exit can only be Jinying Wangfei. "
"Oh?" Xuan Li's smile deepened.
"Women, attacking the heart is the best." Yuan Chuan also smiled.
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