The story is divided into two parts. After Li Xian left the palace gate, he sent someone to deliver the post to the Chengguo Palace without much delay.
As one of the few ducal residences in the capital, the Chengguo Duke's Mansion is grand and majestic, and the two stone lions in front of the door are very majestic.
It was already dusk, and the snow on the bluestone slabs had not yet melted, so bright lanterns were hung on both sides of the gate.
Against the backdrop of the lights and white snow, a carriage inlaid with gold and jade leisurely stopped in front of the stone lion.
In front of the vermilion gate, there was already a group of people standing respectfully.
The man at the front, who was about twenty years old, was wearing a fur robe, with a face like a crown of jade. When he saw the carriage stop, he took two steps forward, cupped his hands, and said.
"I've met Shibo."
For a wealthy family, etiquette is the most important thing.
Although the Chengguo Palace is somewhat in decline these days, as the new head of the family, Zhu Yi obviously still retains thoughtful etiquette.
In fact, no matter in terms of status or etiquette, Li Xian, as a senior relative of Zhu Yong's generation, does not need to be too polite to Zhu Yi, a junior.
But after all, Zhu Yi is now the head of the Zhu family. Although he has not received a title, Li Xian still has to give him enough respect among his relatives who pay attention to inheritance.
Wrapped in a thick cloak, Li Xian got off the carriage and was served by his entourage. He nodded slightly and said a little apologetically.
"It's my fault for bothering you late at night. Don't blame me, my dear nephew."
This is not polite, but the truth.
Generally speaking, when relatives move around each other, they must pay their respects at least one day in advance and arrive before noon.
This is etiquette!
Zhu Yi looked as usual, with a warm face, she cupped her hands and said.
"What did Shibo say? After my father died in the war, the Chengguo Palace was deserted. I am very happy that Shibo can come today. I even invited Shibo to have tea in the front hall."
So his entourage came forward and led Li Xian into the house.
When they arrived at the front hall, they sat down separately as host and guest. A waiter offered them tea, and then they left.
Not long after, apart from Zhu Yi and Li Xian, there were only a few close servants left in the front hall.
Zhu Yi asked: "The younger generation is naturally very happy that Shi Bo is here. However, His Majesty just promoted Shi Bo to the title of Feng Guogong two days ago. I think it is a busy time in the mansion now. How can I have time to visit the junior's house?"
As mentioned before, people who visit after sunset are either family friends or have urgent matters.
Although the relationship between Fengguo Gongfu and Chengguo Gongfu is not bad, it cannot be said to be a good one.
Therefore, Zhu Yi didn't use any polite words and asked Li Xian directly about the reason for his visit.
Li Xian took a sip of tea, gently placed the cup on the table, and said.
"I won't hide it from my dear nephew, I am here to discuss important matters."
Zhu Yi had enough time to wait for Li Xian to explain.
However, Li Xian did not continue to speak, but looked Zhu Yi up and down.
It should be said that Zhu Yi is an outstanding person among the children of this generation of aristocratic families. Not only is he well-read in poetry and proficient in riding and shooting, but he is also handsome and tall.
Coupled with the background of Chengguo Duke's government, Zhu Yi has always been the most popular among the younger generation of relatives.
But now, although Zhu Yi is trying hard to maintain her life, she can't hide the sadness in her brows.
Looking at the Chengguo Palace where people were coming and going in the past, but now extremely deserted, Li Xian said calmly.
"My nephew has been busy working on Cheng Guogong these days. I think he has suffered a lot, right?"
This is asking knowingly.
Since the death of Duke Chengguo Zhu Yong, the court has been filled with people wanting to investigate Zhu Yong's crimes.
At the beginning, many relatives came forward to defend him, but later, Zhu Yi submitted a request to go to Yaoerling to bury Zhu Yong, but the request was rejected by the court.
The Chengguo Duke's Mansion was completely in decline.
Zhu Yi spent these days running around trying to get the court to approve this matter.
However, Qi Wenchen, his good friend in the past, either treated him perfunctorily or simply stayed behind closed doors.
But Haosheng made him realize what it means to be in a hot and cold world.
Frowning, Zhu Yi looked a little cold, but still maintained her politeness and said.
"It is human nature to be wise and protect yourself. My father has taught me this a long time ago, so I don't dare to complain. However, when Shibo came here today, he must not be here to care about my current situation, right?"
Li Xian stopped trying to hide his words and spoke.
"Don't worry, dear nephew, I have been friends with your father for a long time. How can you think that the Duke's government is like this and just sit back and ignore it?"
Zhu Yi said nothing.
Although he was very anxious about the current situation of the Chengguo Palace, he did not lack the determination to do so.
In this world, there is no benefit of having it delivered to your door yourself.
What's more, they were in the Chengguo Duke's mansion, and they were not close friends with Duke Feng. It was not impossible to provide help in times of need, but they had to ask for something.
At this time, the more impatient he is, the easier it is for the other party to lead him around.
Seeing Zhu Yi's expression as usual, Li Xian felt a little regretful.
He didn't expect that Zhu Yi could be so calm in the face of such a big event.
After thinking for a while, Li Xian spoke.
"With all due respect to my nephew, today I came to the palace to express my gratitude. When the emperor asked about his relatives, I took the opportunity to talk about becoming the Duke..."
Zhu Yi's expression changed and she became obviously more focused.
He knew in his heart that Duke Feng would never speak for him in vain for no reason.
So when he said that he "took the opportunity" to talk about it, he was probably trying to put money on his face and get the thanks of Duke Chengguo.
The greater possibility is that the emperor wanted to know about the situation of his relatives and could not avoid the Chengguo Palace, so the old man took advantage of the situation and said a few nice words.
But he didn't care about these. What he was more concerned about was the emperor's attitude.
Seeing that Zhu Yi was finally no longer in a state of no fluctuation, Li Xian was secretly proud and said.
"At that time, the emperor said that Duke Chengguo had the name of a Confucian general. Although the victory of Sheji was defeated, it was not the fault of one person. Last time, the wise nephew came to me to ask for sacrifice and attack. The emperor originally intended to go ahead with the memorial, but considering the fierce discussion at court,
, the war is coming and will finally be over."
"Now that the war is over, everything is waiting to be done. The emperor intends to reuse his relatives, so he naturally thinks of the Duke of Chengguo. However, due to the wishes of the courtiers, it is inconvenient to speak directly. Therefore, I hurriedly came here to meet my nephew.
Discuss, for fear of delay."
Although these words were a little embellished, the basic meaning was very clear, that is, the emperor wanted to restore the title of Duke Chengguo, but he took the court proceedings into account.
In other words, as long as the courtiers can be settled, the title of the Duke of Chengguo is not a problem.
It's not like Li Xian never thought about exaggerating his own achievements.
But at this moment, he could still clearly distinguish what was light and what was serious.
This matter was proposed by the emperor as a favor to the Duke Chengguo.
He would not dare to take away this credit.
Of course, this does not prevent him from using this matter to get closer to the Duke of Chengguo.
A smile appeared on his face, Li Xiandao.
"Don't worry, dear nephew. Although I am old, I still have some connections among my relatives. Cheng'an Marquis Guo Sheng, Xincheng Bo Zhao Rong and others, if they hear about this matter, they will definitely help me."
"Thank you Shibo!"
There was a hint of excitement on Zhu Yi's face, but she was extremely calm in her heart.
Just like Zhu Qiyu's evaluation of Zhu Yi in Wuying Palace, this man is young and mature.
Even in the face of such a big event, I can still be steady in my heart.
Speaking of which, he already understood.
The emperor was behind this matter, and Li Xian was just the one who was pushed to the forefront.
In other words, it was not that he, Duke Feng, wanted to help the Duke's government, but that the emperor asked him to help, and he had no choice but to help.
Zhu Yi was not an ungrateful person, but he felt the same as Ming Jing about whose kindness should be remembered.
He has also heard a lot of rumors in the capital these days.
This Duke Feng is now completely tied to the emperor.
So if the emperor asked him to go east, he would definitely not go west.
Therefore, there is a high probability that there will be no problems on Xunqi's side.
Although Zhu Yi was unwilling to admit it, the current actual governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion were indeed from the lineage of General Jingnan whom they had always looked down upon.
Although becoming the governor and actually controlling the Five Army Commander's Mansion are two different concepts.
But there is no doubt that people like them are still very useful when they need to speak out in court.
So the question now is...
Zhu Yi smiled bitterly and said.
"My relatives and I have a deep affection for each other, and I naturally know this. However, the elders in the court are quite stubborn and do not know how to adapt. My father's military exploits have been falsely accused by them."
"Since the Emperor said that this matter needs to be discussed by the imperial court, he cannot avoid these people. I wonder if Shi Bo can do anything about it?"