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Chapter 266 Imperial Envoy ()

Under Chen Changshi's attentive greetings, Zhu Langzhong spent several pleasant days at Nanyang Prince's Mansion.

The princess has been recuperating in her boudoir and it is inconvenient to see people. It wasn't until Zhu Langzhong was about to leave that he showed his face once more: "These days, I, the princess, are not feeling well. It is really rude to fail to greet Zhu Langzhong."

Zhu Langzhong hurriedly said he didn't dare, but he was secretly surprised in his heart.

It is said that seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. The long-rumored princess of Nanyang did not turn thirteen until the Chinese New Year. She is extremely beautiful with black hair and snow-skinned skin, bright eyes and white teeth.

Princess Nanyang, who was still "sick", appeared and sat for a while, then coughed a few times. Another beautiful girl immediately came forward with a concerned look on her face: "The Princess is not well yet, so she should go back to the dormitory to rest early!"

This is Chen Changshi's granddaughter, the rumored Chen Sheren.

There has never been any precedent for women serving as servants in the court. However, it is not a big deal if the county wants to appoint a woman as a servant. Anyway, the Ministry of Personnel does not recognize it, there is no confession document, and there is no rank.

Zhu Langzhong thought calmly. The princess coughed again and stood up with the help of Chen Sheren: "Zhu Langzhong has been working hard on the road. When I get back to the capital, I would like to ask Zhu Langzhong to explain my recuperation in front of the emperor. I think the emperor will also be considerate of my young age. When you are weak and sick, you should not rush around, and you will not blame me.”

Eaters are short-tongued and take advantage of others softly. Zhu Langzhong has been eating and drinking well these days, and he is also carrying a generous gift from Chen Changshi. At this time, it is difficult to refuse, and he handed over his hands and said: "Princess, please rest in peace and recover. When I return to the capital, I will report the truth to the emperor."

Princess Nanyang thanked her softly and returned to the inner room with the help of Chen Sheren.

Chen Changshi and other officials respectfully sent the imperial envoy and his party away from Nanyang County.

Half a month later, Zhu Langzhong returned to the capital and went to the palace to resume his duties.

Emperor Taikang, who was lying on the hospital bed, not only did not lose weight, but gained weight. I kept drinking various tonics and decoctions every day and didn't move around, so I naturally gained weight.

The emperor, who had gained a lot of weight, had an unusual look on his face, and his body exuded the rotten stench unique to someone who is seriously ill and about to die. Even the most expensive agarwood was burning in the bedroom, but it couldn't suppress the unpleasant smell.

I don’t know how long this Emperor of Daliang can survive.

Prime Minister Wang, who has monopolized power, is becoming more and more arrogant and domineering, and he also foresees that the emperor will soon bully the young prince and have to rely on him.

A series of thoughts flashed through Zhu Lang's heart, and he bowed respectfully: "I have met the emperor."

Strictly speaking, Zhu Langzhong is not a member of the prime minister's party. Zhu Langzhong has always been loyal to the emperor, also known as the so-called fence-sitting faction. Whichever side is stronger depends on which side. This is also the norm for most officials in the court.

Emperor Taikang reluctantly hummed.

A look of worry flashed across the face of the Crown Prince beside the dragon bed, and he opened his mouth and said, "Mr. Zhu, please get up."

Prime Minister Wang on the other side glanced at Zhu Langzhong lightly: "As an imperial envoy, Zhu Langzhong went to Nanyang County to deliver the decree. Why did he come back alone?"

Dare to rebuke a doctor from the Ministry of Rites in front of the emperor and prince, which shows the power and arrogance of Prime Minister Wang.

Zhu Lang was slandering in his heart, and his face became more and more respectful: "I am about to report this matter to His Royal Highness the Emperor and the Prime Minister."

"When I went to Nanyang County, the princess was recuperating on her bed. It was Chen Changshi who received the imperial edict on behalf of the princess. The princess was weak and couldn't help traveling, so I came back first."

The bedroom was quiet for a while. Recuperation is really a suitable reason. He knew clearly that Jiang Shaohua was pretending to be ill, but there was no way to expose it. Sending an imperial doctor all the way there seems to be making a fuss out of a molehill. When Jiang Shaohua claimed that he was cured, it would be easy to justify his claim.

Prime Minister Wang looked unhappy and said in a serious tone: "Since we need to recuperate, we can wait until we are well before coming to the capital. In a month or two, Mr. Zhu will make another trip to Nanyang County!"

Zhu Langzhong didn't respond and looked up at Emperor Taikang on the bed.

It was now difficult for Emperor Taikang to open his mouth to speak. It took him a long time to squeeze out a few words: "Just as the prime minister said."

Zhu Lang sighed inwardly and accepted the order.

The money he got was just enough for him to say a few words. Prime Minister Wang is so domineering and majestic that even the emperor has to obey the Prime Minister. How can Princess Nanyang have the confidence to compete?

……

The prince was sulking, and after returning to the East Palace, he called Zheng Chen over: "...There are many things going on in the country. There is no good news coming from the army that went to Pingzhou to quell the chaos. I am so worried about this that I can't bear to eat. I can't sleep. It's good for Prime Minister Wang to make things difficult for Shaohua's cousin because of Wang Silang. "

His Royal Highness the Prince is quite dissatisfied with Prime Minister Wang. Half of it was because Prime Minister Wang was too domineering. As a prince, he had to obey the Prime Minister everywhere, and he felt aggrieved. The other half is because Zheng Chen has been inciting and stirring things up in private.

Of course, from the prince's point of view, Zheng Chen was considering everything from his point of view. Unknowingly, the prince has turned to Zheng Chen as his confidant.

Zheng Chen's eyes flashed and he whispered: "I know His Highness is unhappy. However, such a trivial matter is really not worth getting angry with the Prime Minister over."

"The Prime Minister wants to summon Princess Nanyang to the capital not only for selfish reasons, but also to inquire about serious matters. For example, the yield of two new grains, corn and sweet potatoes, can be promoted, and how they can be cultivated. It is really unclear based on memorials and letters. It’s better to ask in person.”

This is true.

Previously, Prime Minister Wang and Empress Dowager An Guogong had a fight to promote new grains, but the matter was suppressed. Now that Prime Minister Wang had completely gained the upper hand, he thought of these two new grains.

The prince snorted: "If I were Shaohua's cousin, I wouldn't want to come to the capital and suffer this cowardice."

Zheng Chen said calmly: "What kind of cowardice is this? It is a good thing for the court to bring this matter up again, which is good for the country and the people. Princess Nanyang understands the righteousness, and when she understands it, she will come to the capital."

And he is also waiting for that day.

Wait for Jiang Shaohua to enter the palace and come to him.

Therefore, after he knew Prime Minister Wang's intention, he suppressed his anger and secretly promoted the matter. Otherwise, why would Empress Dowager Zheng and Duke An Guo remain silent, and how could His Highness the Crown Prince acquiesce?
After the prince complained, he put the matter aside and turned to talk to Zheng Chen about the war in Pingzhou: "Pingzhou is a long way away. General Wei has been on the road for more than a month. I wonder if he has reached Pingzhou City. "

Zheng Chen recognized General Wei's ability and said, "Your Highness, please relax, General Wei is good at fighting, and the Yingwei battalion is the most elite army. If we go to quell the chaos, we will definitely succeed immediately!"

The prince sighed: "I hope so."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the study door.

A young eunuch hurriedly came in and reported: "Your Highness, the British Guards Battalion has sent the battle report to the palace."