Chapter 440: The Harem of the Cloud Country, the beginning of the party struggle
Chapter 440: In the Harem of Yun Kingdom, party strife begins to emerge
In the Qing City of Yun Kingdom, in the Kunning Hall of the Imperial Palace, a beaded and jade curtain was raised, and several screens were set up to block the line of sight. Only two figures were vaguely visible, sitting behind them.
The eunuch Chu Li, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, extended his voice and sang:
"Announce all the ministers to come to the palace to pay their respects!"
As the voice fell, the door of Kunning Hall opened.
Tao Ai, the Taiwei, Wen Tiren, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishments, Nan Jiyun, the Central Protector of the Army, Wang Zhi, the Superintendent of the Dongchang Factory, and Lu Bing, the Yiwei envoy of the Shangyu Preparatory Office, all walked into the hall.
As soon as they entered the palace, the ministers bowed to the two figures behind the screen and shouted in unison:
"I'll wait, please pay homage to the two empresses!"
At this time, sitting behind the screen and bead curtain were naturally Nan Rongshu and Bian Liuyun who were not on the tour with Xiao Cheng.
The ministers in the palace who came to pay homage to the two of them were the ones Xiao Cheng stayed in the capital to preside over the overall situation.
When Nan Rongshu saw so many people coming to pay homage today, her eyes moved and she asked expectantly:
"But there is news from His Majesty?"
Taiwei Tao Ai heard this and responded:
"Returning to your Majesty, your majesty's honor guard has already set off to return to the capital."
Hearing this, Nan Rongshu's face suddenly lit up with joy. She couldn't help but clapped her hands and said with a sweet smile:
"Okay, His Majesty is finally back!"
Bian Liuyun on the side saw that Nan Rongshu had lost her composure, so she couldn't help but stretched out her hand and tugged at the skirt of her clothes, signaling her to calm down a little in front of others.
Nan Rongshu was reminded by Bian Liuyun, and then she realized that her posture in front of the courtiers was really inappropriate. She coughed lightly, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say to change the subject.
In desperation, Nan Rongshu could only turn her head and look at Bian Liuyun, pursed her lips tightly, and blinked her big and smart eyes.
Bian Liuyun looked at Nan Rongshu's eyes asking for help, and could only sigh secretly, and then answered:
"When Your Majesty returns to the capital, preparations should be made as soon as possible for his arrival. I would like to ask your lords to take care of this matter."
The ministers, who didn't know how to answer the question at first, breathed a sigh of relief and said in unison:
"I, my ministers, please obey your orders!"
Bian Liuyun glanced at Nan Rongshu and saw that she had no intention of speaking, so she asked again:
"If it's just this matter, and I send someone to report it to the palace immediately, there should be no need for your Lordships to ask for orders to enter the palace... There are all loyal slaves in the Kunning Palace now. If you still have something to do, please tell me!"
Hearing this, the old Taiwei Tao Ai nodded, cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty is really smart! When I come here, I have something to report."
Having said this, Tao Ai ducked slightly and got out of the way. Wang Zhi and Lu Bing behind him quickly stepped forward, knelt down on the ground, and said loudly:
"I would like to report to you, your Majesty, Dongchang has found out that recently, there have been frequent secret contacts in the capital to bribe the palace attendants. Judging from their work, it seems that they have evil intentions and want to attack the palace!"
"Your Highness, our Shangyu Preparatory Office has also found some clues. This matter is true!"
Nan Rongshu, who had been silent at first, frowned and couldn't help but say:
"Want to attack the palace?"
Wang Zhi lowered his head and whispered:
"Yes! My lords and slaves, after thinking about it, I feel that the goal of this secret force is probably..."
"What is it?" Nan Rongshu may have already made a guess in her mind at this time, her eyes became extremely solemn.
"This target is probably the two His Highnesses in the palace..."
There was only a "pop" sound, and Nan Rongshu slammed the desk, her face suddenly darkened.
"Who dares to have such courage?"
As the saying goes, a mother must be strong. Nan Rongshu was not a weak-tempered person to begin with. When she heard that someone wanted to attack her son, she could not restrain her anger.
Even Bian Liuyun, who had always had a mild temper, looked a little ugly even though she was holding Nan Rongshu's arm to comfort her.
"Although there is no solid evidence, looking at the recent trends in Beijing, it should be the Confucian forces in Jixia Academy." Lu Bing said.
Hearing this, Nan Rongshu stood up suddenly and said angrily:
"Nan Jiyun, what are you waiting for? Send the imperial army to surround Jixia Academy and capture everyone involved in this matter!"
Hearing this, Nan Jiyun quickly stepped forward, cupped his fists and said:
"Your Majesty, please don't worry about this matter for the time being!"
"Can't you rush it? It involves the safety of the two princes. Do you think you can't rush it?"
Nan Jiyun was born in the Ailao tribe. Faced with the wrath of Nan Rongshu, the current leader of the Ailao tribe, he did not dare to disobey. What's more, this also involved Xiao Chengze, the eldest son of Emperor Yun and the young leader of the Ailao tribe.
, at this time, I dared not speak even more, I could only lower my head and dare not speak.
Seeing Nan Rongshu's furious look, Wen Tiren quickly stepped out to persuade him:
"My Lady, this Confucian school has a great influence. It has disciples all over the world. If you take action rashly without any solid evidence, I fear it will damage the reputation of Dayun and your Majesty's benevolent name..."
Bian Liuyun stood up and supported Nan Rongshu, saying warmly:
"My lords, you are not ignorant. Confucianism has a great influence. This matter cannot be rushed..."
Having said this, Bian Liuyun looked at the ministers again and continued to ask:
"Does Your Majesty know about this?"
"Back to the empress, Your Majesty only knows that the Confucian family has made some changes in private. He has told us to let the Confucian family take action and not to scare others... As for the Confucian family's plan to attack the palace, Your Majesty has not yet heard about it."
Hearing this, Bian Liuyun whispered:
"His Majesty also told you not to scare others by taking advantage of others."
After hearing Xiao Cheng's instructions, Nan Rongshu took a deep breath and gritted her teeth and said:
"How long will it take?"
"The layout in the palace has already begun, and it won't be long before the flaws are revealed... Anyway, please rest assured, Madam, all these Confucian movements are under the supervision of my Dongchang!" Wang Zhi said.
When Lu Bing saw this, he quickly said:
"The guards and spies from my Shangyu Preparatory Office are also keeping an eye on me. No matter what Confucianism does in private, I will be able to receive the news immediately!"
Nan Rongshu was helpless at this time and could only sit back bitterly, her high chest rising and falling, forcing herself to suppress the anger in her heart.
Although Bian Liuyun was already calm, the expression on his face was also unusually ugly, and he said in a deep voice:
"Strengthen the security in the palace and make sure nothing goes wrong!"
Hearing this, Nan Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly:
"Please rest assured that the imperial guards in the palace are under martial law. All the government officials have been transferred to the palace to assist in the defense. The Buddhist master Huiqi personally sits in the palace in the name of chanting sutras and praying for blessings! The master of the Yin and Yang family must stay,
The military leader Ge Shang and the miscellaneous family leader Jin Shengyuan have also led their close disciples to settle near the imperial city. The imperial doctor Ji Xu from the official pharmacy has also returned to the capital and is stationed at the Imperial Hospital day and night to prevent any unexpected events."
Hearing this, Bian Liuyun turned to look at Nan Rongshu aside, forced a smile and said:
"It's so appropriate, you should feel a little more at ease... No matter what, we are still here!"
Both Bian Liuyun and Nan Rongshu are high-level warriors. Moreover, whether it is the martial arts of the Ailao clan or the music classics, they have a long history and are not comparable to those of ordinary warriors of the same level in the world.
Even if the palace's security was lax and the assassins caught the loophole, as long as they were there, it would not be so easy to hurt the two princes!
Hearing this, Nan Rongshu calmed down and nodded slightly.
When the ministers saw that the matter had been reported, they had to bow and leave.
But at this time, Bian Liuyun seemed to suddenly think of something and suddenly said:
"etc!"
When the ministers heard this, their steps stopped and they turned around again to salute.
"Do you have any other instructions?"
Bian Liuyun grabbed Nan Rongshu's hand and said in a deep voice:
"From today onwards, we and I, together with the prince, will move into the Kunning Palace, eating and living together!"
As soon as these words came out, Nan Rongshu looked at Bian Liuyun with a blank look on her face.
All the officials in the palace also had strange expressions on their faces.
——
Tao Ai, Wen Tiren and other close court officials slowly walked out of Kunning Hall.
At this time, in the entire palace, elite generals of the Forbidden Army were patrolling back and forth with posts every five steps and sentries every ten steps. On the palace walls, killing weapons such as bed crossbows were even mounted.
Dongchang Fanzi and the guards at Niangan were also transferred to various critical places in the palace, as well as the worship masters who could be mobilized. They were all transferred to the palace at this time to coordinate with the various departments of the Forbidden Army to strictly guard against it.
Such a Yun Kingdom palace is now guarded like an iron barrel!
Wen Tiren looked at the palace, which was heavily guarded and dignified, as if a storm was about to come, but he suddenly chuckled and said:
"What a good thing!"
When the old Taiwei Tao Ai heard this, he nodded subconsciously, then turned to sigh and said:
"It's a good thing, but it's a pity..."
"Hey, you are already in my Dayun harem, and you have received His Majesty's favor, so the rest of your status is not worth mentioning... Besides, the status of the Emperor of the Xia Kingdom is extremely noble. After Your Majesty rules the world,
It may not be a banner to recruit old members of the Xia Kingdom!"
Upon hearing this, the old Taiwei Tao Ai responded silently, turned around and left.
Wen Tiren also chuckled slightly, bowed slightly to Nan Jiyun, Wang Zhi, and Lu Bing behind him, then left with his hands behind his back.
Nan Jiyun listened half-comprehensively, with a look of confusion on his eyebrows. He absentmindedly bowed his hands to several people and turned to leave.
In the end, only Wang Zhi and Lu Bing were left standing in place.
At this time, Wang Zhi glanced at the other party subconsciously. At this moment, Lu Bing also turned his gaze to Wang Zhi. The two looked at each other, and both eyes narrowed.
Although Nianganchu and Dongchang were originally from the same lineage, they were divided into two yamen by Xiao Cheng. However, as the power of the two developed, their powers overlapped.
It is said that colleagues are enemies, and there have been many overt and covert struggles between the two.
At this time, the two of them were in such a posture that they might have started fighting again...
——
When the Imperial Guard officers patrolling the palace saw Nan Jiyun approaching with his head lowered, they quickly stood up, lowered their heads and clasped their fists together, shouting:
"I've seen the Central Guards!"
Nan Jiyun nodded absently, without pausing at all, and walked forward with full of thoughts.
The soldiers of the imperial army who were saluting were surprised at why Nan Jiyun looked like this, but they did not dare to ask any more questions and could only continue to patrol the palace.
At this time, a loud shout was heard:
"General Nan, please wait a moment!"
Nan Jiyun paused, turned around, and saw Lu Bing, the envoy of the Yi Guard at Sticky Post, chasing after him quickly.
"Ah, I wonder if Mr. Lu is looking for me, but what else do you have to explain?" Nan Jiyun said with a slight cup of his hands.
Lu Bing chuckled lightly and said:
"It's nothing. I just saw that the general looked suspicious, so I wanted to come and answer the questions in your mind for you, general!"
When Nan Jiyun heard this, he was stunned and said hesitantly:
"General, is it obvious..."
When Lu Bing heard this, he smiled and said nothing.
Nan Jiyun hesitated for a while, and was about to say something, but suddenly woke up and quickly waved his hands and said:
"Forget it! This general is your Majesty's imperial guard, and is responsible for controlling the troops inside and outside the capital. There are some things that I cannot get involved with!"
After saying that, Nan Jiyun turned around and left quickly.
At this time, Lu Bing said loudly:
"General, you are thinking too much! I came here today just to tell the general one thing!"
Hearing this, Nan Jiyun pondered for a moment, then paused again, turned to look at Lu Bing, and said:
"What happened?"
"Following the clues about the bribery of the palace attendants, I made inquiries all the way through the Secret Service, and found out that the Ma family was also involved!" Lu Bing said solemnly.
"Ma family? Which Ma family?" Nan Jiyun frowned.
"Of course it's Yizhou Maminwenma's family!"
Nan Jiyun's eyes sharpened and he said in a deep voice:
"An in-law of the Yang family, Ma Minwen, the Marquis of Yizi, who was once the Minister of Secretariat?"
"It's just that I was found to be involved. I can't confirm yet whether I am really involved, or whether I was just released to confuse the direction of my investigation at Sticky Rod..."
Having said this, Lu Bing paused slightly, raised his head and said in a deep voice:
"But this incident did remind me. With the birth of the two princes, some things, even if the ladies in the palace don't care, have to come to an end."
When Nan Jiyun heard this, his eyes flashed repeatedly.
Yes, after the birth of the two princes, the distinction between concubine and concubine and the ownership of the position of queen have become a major issue related to the stability of the court!
After a moment of silence, Nan Jiyun said in a deep voice:
"Master Lu's behavior today, can this general consider that Master Lu has made a choice?"
After hearing this, Lu Bing smiled helplessly and said:
"Where is the choice I made? It was obviously the choice made by Dongchang!"
"I heard that when the imperial concubine was still the emperor of the Xia Kingdom, she was quite close to the disciples of the music family. Now, these disciples of the music family have even entered the East Factory to work. Wang Zhi, the director of the Dongchang, has obviously chosen the imperial concubine.
Empress. In this case, I, Shangyu Preparatory Office, have no choice but to choose Empress Zhaoyi!"
Under Xiao Cheng's deliberate arrangement, Bian Liuyun's master Bian Borong has joined the Dongchang as a prisoner for thousands of households. He is the highest-ranking official in the Dongchang, except for the factory supervisor. A group of music disciples, and more
Relying on the musician's intelligence network, he took up positions in Dongchang.
Sticking to the pole and Dongchang are at odds with each other, so naturally they have to choose another person to support them.
But among the remaining two Zhaoyi empresses, the Yang family is the most powerful. The Yang family's children are both civilized and military, and are very promising. They also have the support of the Ma family and the Qu family's former officials, so they don't need the support of the sticking point.
Therefore, at this time, the only option for Sticking to the Pillar was Nan Rongshu, who gave birth to the emperor's eldest son and represented the power of the Ailao tribe.
When Nan Jiyun heard this, he hesitated for a while, but then he bowed his hands slightly and said loudly:
"Master Lu's intention, this general already knows... The identity of the emperor's eldest son is closely related to the future of our Ailao clan. How can I sit back and watch? After today, my general will report to Your Majesty that he will step down from the Central Guard Army.
Job!"
It is very important for the Central Guard Army to guard the imperial palace in the capital!
Being in such a position and with such an origin, Nan Jiyun can only truly participate in the battle for the queen's position only by resigning from this position.
Hearing this, Lu Bing chuckled lightly and said:
"The general's wisdom is really admirable! From now on, I will not say that I will fully support Nanrong Zhaoyi. But there are some things that I will naturally stand on the side of the empress!"
Hearing this, Nan Jiyun nodded slightly, cupped his hands in thanks, and then turned around and left.