It seems that the birthday gift of the Diamond Sutra is quite effective.
When Zhao Si visited again, he was not only introduced to the Qingshou Palace, but also asked the empress about Zhao Si's current situation in a friendly manner.
"Brother Thirteen is indeed a magistrate. It is really gratifying to be able to do something to help the officials." Empress Xiang's face was full of kindness, just like the compassionate Guanshiyin Bodhisattva in "The Four Bodhisattvas".
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I always keep your Majesty's admonitions in mind and dare not neglect them. Sima Wen Gong's "Exercise Thrift and Promote Kang" says, 'It is easy to move from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to move from luxury to frugality'. It is precisely because of the Queen.
Only when I keep the admonitions in my heart can I persevere and practice difficult things. Although it is not easy, it can be regarded as a practice for me."
"A practice?" Xiang Empress couldn't help but be moved, "Brother Thirteen is absolutely right. In this world, practice is everywhere."
After a pause, he asked the empress again: "Brother Thirteen still reads Sima Wen Gong's books?"
"Replying to the empress, Sima Wen Gong is gentle, courteous, upright, profound in knowledge, and outstanding in literary talent. Just one copy of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" is enough for me to study for a lifetime."
Xiang Empress's eyes were as deep as the abyss, and she said meaningfully: "Thirteenth brother has made such progress, which is a blessing to the official family and a blessing to the concubine."
Zhao Si's heart moved, something was wrong with what he said. Xiang Niang, you still have a grudge against me.
After leaving Qingshou Palace, Zhao Si went directly to Shengduan Palace.
Seeing Yao'er coming again, Mrs. Zhu happily asked for food.
"This is Brother Thirteen's favorite hawthorn cake. I cooked it for my mother. Eat more." Zhu said dotingly.
"Mom, look at my figure, I'm as strong as a bear. When I was practicing riding and shooting, after a few laps, my mount was so tired that I was panting and sweating like rain. I even ate hawthorn cake! The more I cultivate my appetite, the better, and my figure
He’s getting fatter and fatter.”
Listening to Zhao Si's coquettish complaint, Zhu gave Zhao Si a gentle slap and said, "You idiot, you are so dissatisfied! If you have a good appetite and eat well, your health will naturally be good. Look at your sixth brother, you have a bad appetite.
He was also busy with state affairs, and saw that the world was wasting away."
Seeing Zhu's sad and happy expression, Zhao Si also sighed, "Oh, I really want to give half of my good appetite to Brother Six. Sometimes I feel really uncomfortable when I see Brother Six eating so much cat food."
"
Mrs. Zhu said happily, "The yam cake you recommended last time has been eaten by Guanjia for half a month, and my stomach and intestines have indeed improved. I came here yesterday and I didn't even have the words to praise you."
"Hey, what's the point of praising me in vain? Give me a promotion and a salary."
"You insatiable bastard, didn't Sixth Brother just give you an official position a few days ago?" Concubine Zhu raised her hand and hit Zhao Si on the back.
Knowing that Yao'er was joking, he explained in a profound manner.
"Among the brothers, you are the only one with actual official positions and errands. There is a lot of criticism both inside and outside the palace. Thirteenth brother, you have to work hard and don't make your sixth brother in trouble again."
"Mom, don't worry! I, Zhao Shisan, am an upright man. He who says he has changed his mind means he has changed his mind! I won't go to any of the Bailun Tower, Pan Tower, and Changqing Tower. I will also take my friends from the ridiculous days back home. Those people
None of the foxy friends or dog friends were seen.”
After hearing what Zhao Si said, Concubine Zhu breathed a sigh of relief.
"I've heard about Jin Yunu's matter. This is ridiculous, Thirteenth Brother! But since you know that you are wrong and are willing to take him back to your home for a better life, then let it go. But you must explain this matter clearly to Mrs. Zeng.
I feel wronged to her."
"Don't worry, mother, I have already explained everything clearly to my mother and apologized."
I apologized for several nights, and I was so exhausted that I was sweating every time, and I was full of sincerity.
"That's good. Harmony is the most important thing between husband and wife. Only when they are happy and happy can they give birth to children as soon as possible. Do you understand?"
It’s impossible to guard against it!
The tricks used by elders to induce marriage and have children have been hard to guard against since ancient times!
"Well, I understand."
"And Pan Qilang and Gao Sanlang, they are not only your best friends, but also virtuous gentlemen. After you fell into the water, so many people made trouble for you. Just a few of them came to visit you and comfort you. You must appreciate your kindness."
Zhu explained it eloquently.
"The official said that the marriage between Pan Qilang and Tenth Sister will be postponed to the year after tomorrow. You should keep an eye on Pan Qilang and don't let anyone lead him astray."
"Mom, don't worry. I'm watching Pan Qilang. If anyone dares to lead him into trouble, I will break that guy's legs. If Pan Qilang fails, it will be my own sister who suffers the consequences."
"It's good that you know this. I only have you three brothers and sisters. Seeing that you are safe and have a long line of heirs is better than anything else."
The mother and son chatted for a while, then Concubine Zhu looked at the sky and said, "Brother Thirteen, it's almost noon, so stay here to have dinner with your mother."
"Hehe, I can't get what I asked for." Zhao Si replied with a smile.
"Then I'll go and explain a few words and ask them to cook some of Brother Thirteen's favorite dishes."
After Princess Zhu left, Zhao Si wandered around the house.
On the table in front of the statue of Guanyin in the middle, Zhao Si saw a thin booklet and recognized it at a glance. It was the "Diamond Sutra" written in blood that he gave to the Queen Mother Xiang.
I went forward and flipped through a few pages to make sure it was correct.
Zhao Si put the book back in its place with complex thoughts and calmly finished the meal with Concubine Zhu.
After leaving Shengduan Palace, Zhao Si wanted to find Liang Congzheng immediately and use him to inquire about the news in Qingshou Palace.
But I quickly gave up this idea.
Ask Liang Congzheng to inquire, and he will probably be able to find out what Empress Dowager Xiang is thinking.
Once he found out that Empress Dowager Xiang was not on his side, Liang Zongzheng, who had a delicate mind, would most likely alienate himself and make a false alliance with him.
We must find another way to inquire secretly.
Returning to the palace, Zhao Si immediately found Yu Huatian.
"Huatian, you are also from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, do you still have connections in the palace?"
"And some more."
"Xiao Wang now needs to find out what's going on in the Qingshou Palace. Is there any chance?"
Yu Huatian thought for a while, "I'm not sure, but I'm willing to give it a try."
Zhao Si looked at Yu Huatian and made silent calculations.
As for the information channels in the palace, I cannot hang myself on the tree of Liang Congzheng. I must open up multiple channels. This spying on Qingshou Palace may be an opportunity.
"Huatian, then go and try. Remember, safety comes first."
"I understand, little one."
That evening, Yu Huatian replied.
"Your Highness, I have discovered the news in Qingshou Palace."
"Oh, so quick. Tell me."
"Your Highness, the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, birthday gifts from the four princes including Your Highness. The mutton-fat jade Guanyin statue given by King Shen was sent to the palace treasury because the Queen Mother thought it was too expensive; the Bodhidharma bead given by King Shen
, was sent back to Kongxiang Temple in Shaanzhou, and the Queen Mother asked for five hundred guan of sesame oil money; the "Diamond Sutra" given by Her Highness was passed on to the Queen Mother."
Having said this, Yu Huatian glanced at Zhao Si and found that he was as calm as water and as solemn as a mountain, and his speech speed couldn't help but speed up a little.
"The Queen Mother said that she was extremely reluctant to part with it. Finally, she said that she could not bear to take away His Royal Highness's personal filial piety. When the Queen Mother went to the Qingshou Palace to pay her respects, she personally gave it to the Queen Mother."
"So, in the Qingshou Palace, the empress only left the Eleventh Brother's "Four Bodhisattva Statues"?"
"Yes."
Zhao Si nodded, as if after hearing something insignificant, he turned to ask: "Huatian, how did you find out about the Qingshou Palace?"
"Returning to Your Highness, I found a field reporter named Yang Jin from the office of the East School. He was a stranger, but no one knew he was from our Prince Jian's Palace. I asked him to pretend to be with Prince Shen's Palace to cover up.
I went covertly to find a way out, and in the afternoon I found a minister named Tong Guan from the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
"Tong Guan was greedy for money, so he took a deposit of three hundred guan, and guessed that Yang Jin was a confidant of Prince Shen's Palace, so he hurriedly went to run errands. This guy was very good at sneaking around, and he hooked up with the nephew of Yuan Shanggong in Qingshou Palace in just a few clicks.
After promising some benefits, my nephew helped set up a connection with Yuan Shanggong."
"As for how Tong Guan got the words from Yuan Shanggong, that guy refused to tell me, so I don't know."
"Huatian, you did a good job on this job. Xiao Wang will go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs tomorrow to promote you to a high-ranking internal servant."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!"
"My brother-in-law, Brother Maoming, made an appointment with my good friend Changsun Moli. Go and check his background."
"yes!"
"Also, keep a tight grip on Tong Guan's line. Well, and Liang Shicheng, you should also check it out carefully."
"I understand, little one."
As soon as Yu Huatian left, Zhao Si slowly sat back on the chair.
Finally figured out why Empress Dowager Xiang supported the eleventh brother Zhao Ji.
Because she was worried that if she ascended the throne after her sixth brother, her mother, who had two sons as emperors, would surpass her in honor. At that time, the person buried with her father might be Qianqiu’s mother, not her!
This is an unsolvable problem.
Fortunately, I had not put my hope in her long ago.
However, her special care for Zhao Ji and her concern for me must be shared with the other three brothers.
This is also the real reason why I took great pains to choose such a gift to celebrate Xiang Niang’s birthday.
To find out Xiang Niang's true inclination, the other three brothers shifted their focus away from me and focused on the destined son, the eleventh brother Zhao Ji. This chapter has been completed!
