Chang Jinchan sat up from the bed, Bi Tao opened the door and stepped aside. Shen Moran stepped forward, looked at her ankles wrapped like rice dumplings, and clicked her tongue.
"You don't have to be so cruel. Doesn't it hurt?"
"Why doesn't it hurt?" Chang Jinchan pouted. Seeing that the person coming was her, she stopped holding it, took the quilt and sat on the bed, "I was just careless..."
The sudden whining sound made Shen Moran be more vigilant. He took her hand and warned: "You dare to make trouble in the palace after I let you run around! Take a good rest at home during this time."
Chang Jinchan suddenly choked up and said aggrievedly: "Cousin, I'm so bored in the capital. I want to go home. Growing up, this is the first time I've been separated from my parents for such a long time!"
"I didn't make the mistake on purpose. I saw the two princesses being cute and missed my little nephews and nieces."
The girl wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and Shen Moran put his arms around her to comfort her. The footsteps behind her gradually came closer, until the man coughed slightly and gave a warning.
The two of them came to their senses and stood up to salute.
"See the Emperor."
Emperor Yao and the empress walked to the bed one after another. The empress stopped her and said: "Girl of the Chang family, please don't get up. It will take a hundred days to break your muscles and bones. Girls' bodies are delicate. If the root cause of the disease is found, what will happen to me in the future?" Tell your mother..."
Chang Jinchan blushed and said: "My daughter is all naughty. Your Majesty does not blame me for bringing the two princesses to mischief. I am already thankful to God..."
The playful tone lightened the atmosphere, Wan Zhong moved chairs, and Emperor Yao and the Queen sat in front of the bed.
"The Lord Protector has been in the northwest for more than ten years. I am very relieved that the northwest is stable. However, the environment in the northwest is harsh and the conditions are difficult. The Lord Protector is kind to the court. I can't bear the suffering of a girl like you in the northwest."
Emperor Yao's words seemed to have a deeper meaning. Even so, he still didn't want to let Chang Jinchan leave easily.
Shen Moran's nails were embedded in the palms of her hands.
Chang Jinchan's eyes widened and she knelt on the bed.
"Your Majesty, it is bitterly cold in the northwest, and my father has not been in good health. I would like to ask the Emperor to allow my father to retire in old age. There are many talents in the Zhou Dynasty, and my father is not the only one who can guard the border. If your Majesty can allow our family to reunite in the capital, I would like to ask for your permission." I’m so grateful!"
The Lord Protector wants to retire and return home, handing over military power?
"Is it what the Protector wants, or what you want?"
Chang Jinchan knelt on the bed, not daring to raise her head. After just one round, her back was soaked in cold sweat. Her cultivation was not good enough, so she did not dare to raise her head and look directly at Emperor Yao.
"That's what I mean. I feel sorry for my father..."
Emperor Yao was silent for a moment, then suddenly changed his tone and said, "Do you feel sorry for the Protector, or do you have a sweetheart and want the Protector to return to the capital to preside over the wedding?"
Chang Jinchan wiped some sweat from her sleeves and pretended to be relaxed: "My daughter, I naturally feel sorry for my father..."
The more she said this, the more Yao Di was sure in her heart that she already had a sweetheart.
"Girl of the Chang family, please get up quickly." Emperor Yao stood up and gave her a soft hand, "The Lord Protector has been loyal to the court for generations. If you have a sweetheart, just tell me and I will definitely help you!"
Chang Jinchan's face showed the shy expression of a young girl. She didn't dare to raise her eyes to meet Yao Emperor's gaze and only glanced to the side.
The empress concubine concurred with a kind face: "Ayu is a good child, but unfortunately, he has already married a concubine, so he can no longer wrong our little girl Chang. Your Majesty, there are so many young talents in the capital, and I will definitely pick and choose them. Choose a husband you like for Chang Yatou..."
Chang Jinchan hurriedly denied: "Your Majesty, Queen, I don't want to get married..."
However, the more eager she was to explain, the more Emperor Yao concluded that she just liked Zhou Yu, so he interrupted.
"Girl Chang, have a good rest."
Emperor Yao stood up and told the queen, "I'll leave this matter to you."
The queen responded yes, and Shen Moran took the opportunity to propose taking Chang Jinchan back to the house to recuperate. The queen ordered someone to get the reward and asked the female officials around her to accompany them back to the house.
"My cousin is still in the palace..." Chang Jinchan reminded Shen Moran on the carriage, "Aren't we waiting for him?"
Shen Moran asked Bitao to stay.
"I asked Bi Tao to tell Yinyue that the banquet is not over yet, let's go back first."
Chang Jinchan was holding back her words. Outside the carriage were all the servants sent by the queen, so she had to hold back and stared at Shen Moran's plain side face, as if she wanted to see a flower.
Shen Moran closed his eyes and rested, but he was actually thinking about Emperor Yao's attitude in his heart. He had made up his mind to keep Chang Jinchan in the capital as a pledge.
If nothing else, it must have been Zhou Yu who said something...
What they are saying is that the Duke of Protector has too many soldiers and horses, and the poison of a tiger cannot eat its child. If the Lord Protector really has the intention to rebel, can the royal family really threaten outsiders with the life of its own son?
Therefore, Chang Jinchan must stay in the capital. Not only must he stay in the capital, but the Protector cannot come back. The Protector has made great contributions to the country. After all, he and Zhou Zhan are related by blood. If he supports Zhou Zhan, which prince will Can you compete with him for the limelight?
It was really difficult for Emperor Yao to protect the Lord Protector at the same time.
But for them, the situation is at least favorable.
"Cousin, don't worry, wait a few more days."
…
As soon as Emperor Yao left, the atmosphere at the Enrong Banquet became a little more relaxed. The banquet was attended by princes and princes, powerful ministers like Shen Xiang Bo'an, and high-ranking dignitaries like Song Guogong.
Many people held wine glasses and gathered in front of the dignitaries.
Zhou Zhan sipped the sake in his cup and smiled as he watched the brothers around him making friends with the ministers.
Jiang Tong walked up to him holding a wine glass.
"Senior brother, Ziyan would like to toast you."
Zhou Zhan did not accept the glass of wine from him, but picked up the wine pot and walked with him to Xie Yun.
"The first glass of wine must be toasted to sir. Sir, students toast to you."
Everyone at the Enrong Banquet paid attention to what others were doing.
Among them, Jiang Tong is particularly eye-catching. Xie Yun's famous disciple was awarded Jinshi at a young age. The key is that he is talented. He has no wife or concubines at home, and his future is bright...
Many people have the idea of catching their son-in-law.
At this moment, the two of them stood together, and their temperaments were surprisingly similar.
Xie Yun accepted the glass of wine calmly.
"If a husband does not serve the country, he will end up poor and lowly. Ziyan should not indulge in today's glory, but should remain determined and stick to his true heart."
Jiang Tong handed over his hand.
"Students should remember your teacher's teachings."
Xie Yun warned Zhou Zhan again: "Your Highness, take good care of your health and drink less alcohol."
Zhou Zhan responded: "This is just a cup for the students to honor you."
Xie Yun raised his glass in response.
Everyone knows that Xie Yun and the old Protector of the State were friends more than ten years ago, but they didn't expect that after so many years, they still have such a teacher-student friendship.
None of the three of them were hiding, so it was hard for others to say anything.
Many people were eager to try the wine glasses. Xie Yun stood up and said: "I am old, have low energy, and cannot handle the wine. I will take my leave now."
Li Wei declined Zhou Chang's invitation politely, and squeezed over and said, "I'm also a heavy drinker. It just so happens that I and Brother Xie can take care of each other on the way back."
When the time was almost up, Zhou Zhan leaned back against Yin Yue and said with force, "Student sends two gentlemen."
The absence of Xie Yun and Li Wei at the banquet does not affect the overall situation. These two people are like stones in the pit, smelly and hard. They will scold others with a straight face if they disagree.
There are more opportunities at the Enrong Banquet, and no one is willing to give up this opportunity.
Zhou Yu put his arm around Zhou Zhan's shoulders.
"The two gentlemen will be handed over to the seventh brother. The seventh brother must send the two gentlemen back to the house safely."
He pretended to be a master, but Zhou Zhan didn't expose it and said yes with a smile.
"Don't worry, fifth brother, I will personally send these two gentlemen back to my house."