Chapter five hundred and nineteenth telling the truth failed
Beijing Prince's Mansion, Back Garden
The lush greenery, like cages of willow trees, surrounds a lake with rippling blue waves that is about an acre in size. At the end of the winding corridor in the distance, there are pavilions and pavilions with green walls and black tiles, scattered in an orderly manner.
Because the weather has been getting warmer recently, all kinds of flowers in the garden are either in bud or in full bloom, and are in brilliant purples and reds.
Waves of fragrant aroma linger in the courtyard, mixed with the scent of pines and cypresses, making you feel relaxed and happy.
In the attic with a gold and black plaque inscribed with "Fu Cui Pavilion", a four-and-a-half-foot long window is propped up in the northwest corner. Looking down, the view is excellent and the garden scenery can be seen.
On a small bamboo and rattan chair, a beauty with a cloud-like bun and a sky-blue embroidered long skirt is rolling up half of her sleeves. She lifts the purple clay pot with one hand and holds the lid with the other. She tilts her head to the side and looks at her eyes.
He lowered his head and poured tea into the six teacups lined up.
Then he put down the purple clay pot and pushed two over.
The whole movement is gentle and intellectual, with a sense of pleasure.
The slender hand held a tea cup and brought it to her lips. The two pink lips were close together, and the pink and snowy cheek skin faced the pale golden sunset in the afternoon, as if covered with a layer of gauze.
Princess Zhen Qing of Chu was playing with the jade teacup in her hand, and suddenly said: "The palace has announced at noon that the prince has now taken charge of supervising the construction of the imperial mausoleum."
"This is a good thing, sister, why are you still frowning?" Zhen Xue's soft voice sounded, and a look of curiosity appeared on her gentle and graceful eyebrows.
Because the King of Beijing went to the north to investigate the border, Zhen Xue, as the Princess of Beijing, naturally did not get much information in the court, and she was not aware of the disputes at the court meeting today.
"The problem is, it's not just the prince who is doing this job, but also Prince Qi." Zhen Qing's eyes flashed sharply under her willow-leaf eyebrows, and her thin lips like rose petals pursed a cold expression.
meaning.
This woman originally had slightly higher cheekbones, slightly thin lips, and a pointed chin, which gave her a pretty and charming look.
Zhen Xue's beautiful eyebrows were condensed, a hint of worry appeared in her eyes, and she said: "The Prince of Qi County has always been ridiculous and generous in his actions. No wonder my sister is worried."
"The prince is supervising the construction of the imperial mausoleum. There is no benefit in the first place. On the contrary, because Gongling mausoleum has just been collapsed by the earth dragon, there may be many risks. He just wants to fulfill his filial piety, but it happens that the prince of Qi is also interfering.
One kick, a good pot of gruel, and two people share it. No one can have enough at this time." Zhen Qing raised her eyebrows, pursed her thin lips, and said in a cold voice: "What is Prince Qi's plan?
I can guess a thing or two, but it's just a wishful thinking to use this merit to regain the title of king."
Zhen Xue was silent for a moment and said softly: "After all, it is a meritorious service. Prince Chu can't make that person more beautiful than before."
Zhen Qing sighed and said: "Otherwise, what else can I do? This is the only way it can be now. But I'm worried that the prince will suffer a hidden disadvantage if he works with him and has a thick face and a dark heart."
My husband is not as shameless as that one, and he suffers not only once but twice.
When Zhen Xue heard this, she turned the amber flowing cup in her hand and sighed quietly in her heart.
Fortunately, she married Prince Beijing, so she didn't have these worries. It's just... who knows about her worries?
While the two sisters were talking, suddenly, a maid from the palace went up to the attic and whispered: "Princess, Mrs. Wu from the Zhao Shangshu family has come over."
Zhen Xuerong was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said: "I think I came here because of Mr. Zhao Ge's matter. Sister, will this matter be revealed at the meeting today?"
"I heard from the prince that my father issued an order and Zhao Shangshu resigned from the cabinet and returned to his headquarters. However, he kept his position as Minister of the Ministry of Industry." Zhen Qing put down the tea cup and said.
"Oh?" Zhen Xue was surprised for a moment and said, "That's okay. Even though I'm no longer a cabinet minister, I may not be able to make a comeback in the future. But didn't Aunt Wu say before that Zhao Shangshu will not be able to keep his position as an official this time?"
Princess Chu Zhen Qing said: "You can ask Aunt Wu when she comes over later. I heard that it has something to do with the Lord of Ning's speech. I haven't heard the prince explain what it is exactly."
When Zhen Xue heard "Lord of Ning Kingdom", her beautiful eyebrows furrowed and she felt suspicious in her heart.
While they were talking, the housekeeper, Grandma, had already led Mr. Wu up to the attic.
Wu quickly saluted the two princesses.
Zhen Xue also stood up to greet her, smiled, and joked: "Looking at the smile in my aunt's eyes, I guess it's Shibo who has turned from an owl into a dove, and is treading on a dangerous path, right?"
Wu came closer and sat on the embroidered pier, and said with a smile: "The princess has good eyesight, and the Holy Spirit is magnanimous and has given you grace. My master is now returning to the headquarters to ask questions. Now the rain has finally passed and the sky has cleared up."
Princess Chu Zhen Qing's clear and clear voice sounded like broken jade, and asked: "I wonder what it was like in the morning? I heard from the prince, how come it was the Lord of Ning who helped Mr. Zhao speak?"
Because the King of Chu had not yet gone to court, what happened in the early dynasty was only relayed from the mouths of others, without a full picture.
Wu said with emotion: "It's strange to say that I heard from the Lord that the Holy One asked many ministers of the court for their opinions on how to deal with the Lord. Those people either impeached the Lord or kept silent and protected themselves until the Holy One asked.
When I came to the Lord of Ning Kingdom, I didn't expect that he actually spoke up and said something fair. Although I was responsible for the oversight, it was all the fault of the two ministers of the Ministry of Industry and King Zhongshun. I had nothing to do with this case. Your Majesty.
When I heard this, I thought it was very reasonable, so I showed some mercy to the master and only fired the cabinet ministers and ordered them to return to the headquarters to rectify the affairs of the ministry. Thank God, this difficulty is over."
Zhen Xue's face was in trance, she was clearly listening intently, she pursed her glossy pink lips and asked, "But that day he clearly refused."
"The master said that the Lord of Ning Kingdom has good conduct and is not willing to bend the law for personal gain. I think about it. He just says what he says." Wu said with a smile.
When Zhen Xue heard this, her beautiful eyebrows condensed, and she said softly: "This man has the style of a famous minister."
Princess Chu Zhen Qing narrowed her eyes and felt cold.
He secretly thought that Jia Heng was just doing favors at no cost, just doing favors, but his father didn't really want to deal with Zhao Yi.
It's just that it's not good to say these words to the family members of the person involved, Ou, otherwise, it would be suspected of judging a gentleman's heart with a villain's heart.
Why, are you expecting something to happen to my master?
Moreover, why is it that no one in the civil and military circles of the entire dynasty is willing to do favors, but it is Jia Heng?
Princess Chu Zhen Qing was thinking, her eyes lowered, looking at the tea cup in her hand.
Perhaps, it carries more weight if the chief judge of the Imperial Tombs corruption case personally speaks out, and if it comes from Jia Heng, who is in the process of becoming a holy family member.
When I think about it, I feel that the water inside is a bit deep, like looking at flowers in the mist.
"This Jia Ziyu is versatile in both civil and military affairs, and he is also good at figuring out the intentions of his superiors... It would be great if he voted for the prince." Zhen Qing's mind was racing, and she suddenly thought like this.
But I also know deep down in my heart that it is absolutely impossible, at least for now.
Because the prince's bargaining chips were too few, all the prince could give him was promotions after he succeeded to the throne. But his father had already given him a title, so how could anyone stand on the prince's side?
But there is always a way to find a way, there are always good things about people, and as long as you go with what they like, you may not be unable to win over the prince.
Zhen Qing thought about it and felt that it would take a lot of thought.
At this time, Zhen Xue said softly: "Auntie, Jia Ziyu's outspoken words should be out of public interest, but he should also express his gratitude to others."
"Hey, I told the master, what do you think he did? He put on his airs like Mr. Zhao Dage again, saying that civil and military communication cannot be communicated." Wu Shi said with anger and annoyance, because it was Wu Nong's soft words, and his voice was tactful.
It has a unique charm of its own.
Zhen Xueming's eyes froze for a moment, then she nodded and said, "Uncle, he has always been honest, upright, and aboveboard. It's not surprising to say that."
Wu shook his head and hummed softly: "What is upright and upright is nothing more than pedantry. If he wants to return to the cabinet in the future, he will have to find a way. He is now a popular person in the palace, and he will make great contributions in the future.
, what’s even more remarkable is that I could say a few words to Qian’er in the palace at that time.”
Zhen Xue nodded.
Wu Shi smiled and said: "If he doesn't care about this, then I will help him take care of it. Princess You said, how about I go to Mrs. Rongguo's house these two days to walk around?"
Because the Wu family and the Zhen family are family friends, and the Zhen family and the Jia family are family friends, so if the Wu family came to visit hurriedly, they would not be close enough because they were separated by one floor.
Zhen Xue's beautiful eyebrows frowned slightly, she thought for a while and said, "I heard that the wife of the Lord of Ningguo Mansion has just been conferred a first-class imperial title. Why don't we prepare a gift later and go to the mansion to express her happiness."
Listening to the conversation between the two of them, Zhen Qing, who was drinking tea and smiling from beginning to end, suddenly said: "I haven't seen Ningguo Mansion send an invitation, maybe I don't want to be too public, let's go there like this."
I don’t know if people think this way, it’s a bit abrupt.”
Previously, because the imperial mausoleum corruption case had not yet been concluded, Jia Heng could not send out invitations widely and hold a banquet for guests in order to avoid making people jealous. Now that the handling of the imperial convicts related to the imperial mausoleum corruption case has been settled, the Prince of Beijing and the Prince of Chu took the initiative
When you come to visit, there are a lot less taboos.
Zhen Xue smiled and said softly: "Sister, as the saying goes, don't hit someone with a smiling face. Our two families are old relatives. We don't know how to return it. Now that we know, it's okay to come to celebrate and keep in touch.
.”
Zhen Qing's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at her sister who didn't have much scheming. She thought about it and said with a smile, "Okay, I'll go over and have a look later."
Wu quickly said: "Then I'll go back and prepare a few gifts."
Zhen Xue smiled and said, "Auntie, there's no need to go back and forth. Just pick a few items from the warehouse and go there together."
"How can this be so embarrassing?" Wu said awkwardly.
Zhen Xue said softly: "It's nothing. At the beginning of spring, Zhuangzi sent a lot of wild ginseng. There are also rewards from the palace. No one will use them in the treasury. Auntie will just pick a few pieces and send them over."
As he said this, he ordered the nanny who was waiting on the side and said: "Aunt Wang, lead my aunt over."
Seeing this, Wu said thank you and agreed.
This also shows how close the families are.
However, just as a few people were about to leave, coincidentally, the steward of the front yard came from outside and said: "Princess, Princess Nan'an is here."
Zhen Xue knitted her beautiful eyebrows with a surprised look on her face. She exchanged glances with Princess Chu beside her and said, "Sister."
"It's okay to meet."
After a while, Princess Nan'an came to the attic, surrounded by her maids and maids, and led by a nanny.
Concubine Nan'an not only came by herself, but also brought her grandson-in-law Zhou, and next to Zhou there was a woman in an aqua dress. She wore no makeup, her face was haggard, and her eyes were as swollen as peaches from crying.
, pear blossoms with rain, lovely and moving.
A closer look at the outline of the facial features shows some resemblance to the Zhou family. She is Zhou's sister, who is now the wife of Yu Congdian, a doctor in the Tuntian Qingli Division of the Ministry of Industry.
"Old concubine, why are you free to come here today?" Zhen Xue asked politely with a smile on her face.
Concubine Nan'an sighed: "Princess, the imperial edict has just been issued, and all relevant officials of the Ministry of Industry have been sentenced to great punishment. Now the government not only wants to seize the family property, but also arrests the female relatives and sends them to the Jiaofang Department. I am here to discuss with the princess."
,What can I do."
Although the imperial edict issued by Emperor Chongping did not deal with the female dependents of criminal officials, in accordance with common practice, the female dependents of criminal officials either died or were exiled, and most of them were sent to the Jiaofang Department.
In fact, Princess Nan'an may not have thought too much about saving Yu Congdian, a minister in charge of the field affairs who was just one floor away from her. It was mainly because of the mentality of a decent person. Her grandson's daughter-in-law brought her sister over to beg for help. I can't say that.
It can't be done.
This is just like what old nun Jingxu said to Sister Feng. In the eyes of outsiders, they think that the family's power is not good enough.
Zhen Xue frowned and said hesitantly: "Old concubine, this is the imperial court's proposal. The female relatives of criminals must be admitted to the Jiaofang Department of the Ministry of Etiquette."
Concubine Nan'an nodded and said, "I'm going to think of some ideas. Anyway, the officials in the Ministry of Rites won't be too ugly."
Zhen Xue didn't want to be persuaded. She thought about it and said, "If the officials in the Jiaofang Division are easy to talk to, it would be good to use some money to keep the family young."
"I am also of the same opinion." Princess Nan'an nodded, agreed, and suddenly said: "How do you think the Jia family did this? Princess, let's say anything in front of our own family, I
But I heard that he spoke to Mr. Zhao Ge, a civil servant, in the court. Mr. Zhao Ge was originally going to be dismissed from his official position. But if he just said a word, nothing would happen. On the contrary, we, the four kings and the eight princes, will be in trouble for several lifetimes.
Friendship, don’t say a word.”
There is no harm without comparison. When Princess Nan'an heard about the early court incident, she felt a sigh of relief in her heart.
He looked like he was sternly refusing that day, but now he is helping civil servants instead of Wu Xun?
Hearing this, Zhen Xue opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but suddenly she was stunned and looked at the person coming behind the screen.
Originally, Ouspensky, who had already chosen a gift, had left and returned. When he heard this, he looked worried.
Wu Shi said calmly: "What the old concubine said is that the Lord of Ning Kingdom is speaking out for my master, and it is not because of favoritism. He doesn't care about the distance between relatives."
Princess Nan'an: "???"
Suddenly hearing a familiar voice, I couldn't help but startled. I looked away and saw Mrs. Wu walking out with a nanny, looking ugly.
Anyone who hears someone gossiping about their husband behind his back will be displeased.
Concubine Nan'an's old eyes flashed with a trace of unnaturalness, she forced a smile and asked: "Why is Mrs. Wu here too?"
There was a faint smile on Zhen Qing's lips, as if she was watching a good show.
He thought to himself, as soon as he said something bad about someone behind his back, he was blocked.
"I originally came here to see Princess Beijing, but as soon as I turned around, I heard the princess talking about my master." Wu Shi chuckled lightly.
Her family is a family of officials, so there is no need to give face to the martial arts concubine Nan'an. Besides, the other party was at fault first.
Concubine Nan'an's expression changed and she said, "What did Mrs. Wu say? I just said that there was such a thing. It does not mean that the Jia family did not speak uprightly, but that they did not show any kindness to relatives."
Wu said in a calm tone: "Old concubine, this is out of public interest. Besides, my husband is not involved in the case, so naturally he will not be implicated."
Zhen Xue saw the anger of the two people's argument and quickly spoke out to smooth things over. She smiled and said: "Auntie, the concubine didn't care. Aren't we going to Rongguo Mansion later? Are the gifts ready?"
"
At this moment, Princess Nan'an's old face looked a little worried and said: "Since the princess has to go out later, I won't bother you. I'll visit you another day."
It was not easy for Zhen Xue to persuade her to stay, so she had no choice but to send Concubine Nan'an off with her mother-in-law.
Concubine Nan'an came and left in a hurry because of Wu's sudden appearance, but failed to stir up trouble.
Zhen Qing sarcastically said: "The Princess of Nan'an is also a very old person. Instead of receiving blessings at home, she shows up to stir up trouble for a grandson's side room."
Because the Prince of Nan'an County married his daughter to the King of Wei as his concubine, and the marriage was going to happen soon, Zhen Qing naturally had no intention of getting close to her, and instead continued to court her, or to win the favor of the Wu family.
Zhen Xue frowned and advised softly: "Sister, we are all old relatives, so it's not good to talk like this. It's not easy for us to take care of other people's affairs. Let's go to Rongguo Mansion now."
As they talked, they packed up their gifts and headed to Rongguo Mansion.