In the spring of the second year of Jingtai, the frontline army reported to the capital:

The army defeated 60,000 Fuzhou rebels in one battle, 30,000 Tengjia soldiers were wiped out in Luohua Stream, the three counties were recovered, and the rebels returned to Fuzhou!

When the news of the victory came, Shengtian City was in a state of excitement, and all the ministers in the court were beaming with joy. The news of the great victory made them completely forget the panic of losing the city and the land. As they started eating, drinking and having fun again, the mountain cries of "Long Live the Emperor" resounded throughout the mountains.

Above the court hall.

These people had no idea that more than 100,000 soldiers had been killed in the southern border, and countless people had been displaced. There were still four counties in the hands of King Fu, and the war had not completely subsided.

The imperial city is full of majesty, with red bricks, blue tiles, and jade carvings. In winter, spring gradually begins. King Fu raised troops in the first year of Jingtai, which made it difficult for everyone to have a good year. The second year of Jingtai seems to be a good year.

Cining Palace at night, this is the residence of the Queen Mother. The untimely death of the late emperor made this woman who had not been queen for a few years move into Cining Palace early.

The eunuchs who were coming and going in the palace were walking on the corridor with the big red lantern. In the dim shadow of the trees, an old lady with white hair stood on the ground outside the palace door, directing the young and beautiful palace maids.

Delicious delicacies encased in gold, silver and jade were delivered to the main hall of Cining Palace.

Today, the two brothers of the Queen Mother came to the palace to pay their respects. The Queen Mother lives alone in the palace, and no one talks to her on weekdays. Now that her family has arrived, the formerly peaceful Cining Palace is naturally filled with joy, and the servants are also busy. Everyone knows that the Queen Mother

I have a very good relationship with these two brothers.

There are only three tables on the main hall, and the tables are full of delicacies from the mountains and seas. There are two maids serving each table. In the middle of the main hall, there are more than ten dancers dancing to the sound of bells and drums, and everything is dazzling.

Sitting directly in front of the first person is a graceful and luxurious woman, wearing a golden yellow coat, embroidered with gold and silver threads, with embroidered patterns of standing dragon, Zhenglong and Wanfu Longshou; wearing a jeweled phoenix crown on her head,

It is studded with lapis lazuli, turquoise, and pearls. There are three earrings on the left and right, all of which are pure gold earrings.

This woman was Shangguan Wanrong, the empress dowager of the dynasty and the biological mother of the young emperor Zhou Chengxuan.

Although she is the Queen Mother, she has just turned forty and is a few years younger than the late Emperor Zhou Zhu. Her youthful beauty can still be seen under the light make-up, and her manners are in the style of everyone.

Sitting on the right side of Shangguan Wanrong is her brother, Shangguan Taiqing. Shangguan Taiqing is slightly older than his sister by a few years. His face has an extraordinary bearing, but the smile at the corner of his mouth makes people feel a little cold. Now Shangguan Taiqing is noble.

As the emperor's uncle, he was granted the title of Marquis of Runan.

Sitting on the left is Shangguan Wanrong's younger brother, Shangguan Tailei. Shangguan Tailei is slightly younger, only in his thirties, with a thin build. He doesn't do anything serious on weekdays. He only likes to fight birds and listen to music. He looks like a rich man.

Image, just because he betrayed the identity of a national uncle, he was also named Anyang Bo.

In addition to the first to ninth rank official positions in the Great Zhou Dynasty, there are also fifth-level titles of Duke, Marquis and Bozi. The Marquis is already a high-ranking title second only to Duke Anguo of the Chang family. The Chang family has held military power for generations before becoming a duke. These two princes

My uncle is young, has received a title, and is considered to be of distinguished status.

The Shangguan family was not considered to be the first-class official family in the capital, but because Shangguan Wanrong was favored by the late emperor, he entered the palace as his queen, so one of them was able to ascend to heaven, and the two brothers also relied on this relationship to achieve their current status.

The three brothers and sisters chatted happily in the main hall, talking, laughing, singing and dancing, and unknowingly they chatted until late at night. At the end of the meal, Shangguan Wanrong felt that the two brothers seemed to have something to say, but every time

He hesitated to speak, but immediately realized what was happening. With a wave of his robe sleeves, all the dancers and maidservants in the hall retreated. In an instant, only three Shangguan brothers and sisters were left in the hall.

"Brother, do you have something to say to your sister?" Shangguan Wanrong looked at Shangguan Taiqing with doubtful eyes, and her soft voice sounded in the hall.

Now that there are no servants present, Shangguan Wanrong's title is no longer restrictive, and calling her brother seems more cordial.

"Haha, my sister is really smart!" The two brothers looked at each other, and Shangguan Taiqing said with a smile: "Thanks to the great blessing of the emperor and the protection of the late emperor, my frontline army defeated the Fuzhou rebels and recovered the three counties. It is really gratifying.

Congratulations! My brothers are here today to pay their respects to the Queen Mother and to congratulate Your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanrong nodded slightly blankly, puzzled in his heart. The good news had already spread throughout the capital, but he was from a womanly family, how could his brother suddenly start chatting with him about the war.

Before Shangguan Wanrong could speak, Shangguan Taiqing continued, "Now that the three counties have been recovered, it is time to send a new governor to resume government affairs. In Lingzhou, the Xue family has occupied the position of governor. When my brother wants your brother to go to Donghai to take up the post,

The new governor! I hope my sister will try her best to promote this!"

After saying that, Shangguan Tailei on the other side also straightened up and looked at his sister eagerly.

"Going to the front line to be the governor? There is a lot of chaos in the war. What is there to do? Isn't it good for Tai Lei to be a rich man in the capital? Besides, there is no use asking me for this matter. Nowadays, all important matters are handled by the old master.

I have the final say, what can I, a woman living in a deep palace, do?" Shangguan Wanrong said in confusion, she always felt that the two brothers were a bit mysterious today.

"Sister." Seeing that his sister did not respond, Shangguan Tailei said anxiously: "Nowadays, all major political affairs are controlled by the Yuwen family. The Holy Father is young and can't make up his mind. If things go on like this, I'm afraid the power will be lost! Sister, I have to keep a share.

Heart!"

Shangguan Tai cleaned his robe sleeves, picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a sip of wine, without stopping his younger brother from saying some dangerous words.

The Queen Mother, who was the first in line, had a look of astonishment. She didn't understand what her brother meant: "Is there anything wrong with the Yuwen family? I think the government has been quite stable since Yuwen Hongru came to power?"

Shangguan Taiqing put down the gold-engraved wine glass in his hand and sighed: "My sister lives in the deep palace and does not understand the situation. It turns out that the Qi Party, the Chu Party and the Yuwen family are three pillars, checking and balancing each other, and the government is relatively stable. But now Anguo

The Duke left the capital, Zhen Guo Duke died in battle, the Nangong family was wiped out, and the Qi Party collapsed and scattered. Yuwen Hongru was ordered to assist the country, eager to get military power, and wantonly eliminated dissidents. Now most officials in the court are close followers of the Yuwen family.

The Chu Party is unable to support itself, so how can it be said to be stable! If one day the strength of the Yuwen family threatens the imperial power, it will be bad!"

Shangguan Wanrong reacted suddenly, thinking about what her brother said, and then she remembered the late emperor's inability to face the party struggle. Her delicate red eyebrows frowned slightly. It was true that the power of the Yuwen family was already terrifying, so she tentatively asked

: "What does brother mean?"
Chapter completed!