the first lady

Chapter 13

Fengqing's behavior makes people look like his name, the cloud is calm and the wind is light, and the gentle smile on his face makes it impossible to know what he is thinking, so for him, it is not important to support the crown prince or the third prince. draw a definite conclusion.

"Sure enough, he's a treacherous and cunning man!" Qiao Yilin clenched his fists fiercely. It's no wonder that Emperor Wu was able to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor. It was because he had means, ability, and schemes that he was able to ascend to the throne that did not belong to him originally. .

Qiao Yihe nodded approvingly and said, "Ginger is still old and spicy!"

There was silence, and the hall was instantly silent. After a long time, the second lady Fang asked with tears and trembling: "Then master, what should we do now? The imperial decree has come down..."

Qiao Zhan also has a tired face. He has lived most of his life, but he never expected to encounter this situation today, which makes people feel overwhelmed.

"If you come, you will be safe, Erniang, Dad, everyone don't have to worry too much." Qiao Ling'er walked into the hall slowly, with a calm expression on her face.She has heard what they said before, and she is clear about the general situation. She also thought about what Qiao Yishu didn't mention. In short, the stakes involved are far more than that.

"Ling'er, why are you here?" Mrs. Qin stepped forward quickly and took Qiao Ling'er's hand.

"Mother." Qiao Ling'er smiled at Qin Shi, patted her hand, and signaled her not to be too nervous.

"Ling'er, do you want... to marry the prime minister? Do you know the emperor's intention for this marriage?" Qiao Yihe asked with a frown. This is a political relationship, and it will also be because of this The gift of marriage at the same time gave the Qiao family a stereotype.

Qiao Ling'er said calmly: "If you don't marry, it's not a crime of resisting the edict, and the crime of deceiving the emperor, you should punish the nine clans."

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of Qiao Zhan and the others all darkened.Resisting the decree is the crime of deceiving the emperor. Since ancient times, the emperor has had such power. As long as he says a word, a family can be destroyed.

The hall fell into silence again. Qiao Linger looked around at the crowd. Everyone here was sincerely kind to her, and from the bottom of her heart, she felt a warmth that she had never felt before.In the past, there were only her and Lan Sa, both children of the orphanage, but now, this is the warmth of a real home.

"Father, mother, you don't have to worry. Even if I get married, I will take good care of myself." Qiao Ling'er originally had no other requirements, but now she has concerns. No matter what, she cannot let the Qiao family No one gets hurt.It was also because of her that she divorced the Feng family, so that the royal family could take advantage of it. Reasonably, she had to replace the previous Qiao Ling'er to protect her family.

"Ling'er..." Qiao Zhan's voice was choked with sobs, he didn't want his daughter to be reluctant, she was the heart and soul of their family!

Qiao Ling'er smiled lightly, without a trace of grievance on her face.Ning Xiang bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.

After leaving the hall, Qiao Yichen and Qiao Yishu sent Qiao Linger back to her room to rest.

After walking for a while, Qiao Yichen finally couldn't help but asked, "Second brother, if the emperor really wants to gather power for the prince, why didn't he give the marriage to the fourth sister and the prince, but to the prime minister?"

"This..." Qiao Yishu's heart shook, and he looked at Qiao Ling'er hesitantly.

Qiao Ling'er smiled gracefully, "The next morning, the reason why I gave the marriage to the fourth sister and the prime minister was because the prime minister was originally cultivated by the emperor, and the prime minister and the prince grew up together since childhood. As for why you didn't just give the prince a marriage, that's because your fourth sister had a previous engagement with Mr. Feng. It was rumored in the capital that the fourth miss of the Qiao family was divorced by the Feng family. The royal family couldn't afford to lose this person, so they asked your fourth sister to marry To the prince's confidant, the prime minister, do you understand?"

Hearing Qiao Linger's explanation, Qiao Yichen became even angrier. The royal family is nothing but a bully!
Qiao Yishu looked at Qiao Ling'er, who was calm and breezy. It was true that she was describing it lightly, but she pointed out the key points.

If a divorced woman married into the royal family, she would definitely be criticized by others. The emperor did this to protect the reputation of the crown prince. Otherwise, the emperor personally decreed that she would be the crown princess. It would be a joke, so she found another person.

Qiao Ling'er didn't show the slightest emotion on her face, but she was cold in her heart. No matter what, since the matter had reached this level, she had to make good preparations.If she doesn't touch her bottom line, she can pretend that she doesn't know. If she touches her reverse scale, she won't just stand by and let others bully her!

Juxian Hall.

This is a huge building with double eaves and nine ridges, staggered brackets and yellow tiles on the roof, like a golden temple.There are several stone pillars side by side in front, and each stone pillar is carved with two giant dragons, one up and one down, coiled and rising, soaring through the clouds and driving the fog, vividly showing the double dragons playing with pearls.

As for the function of this hall, it is just like its name, gathering talented people to serve the country.

"Prime Minister, please!" Eunuch Zhou beside Emperor Wu respectfully led the way for Prime Minister Zong Zhengyi, and the emperor seemed to have known that he would come early in the morning, so he ordered the eunuchs beside him to wait here.

Zongzheng Yi cupped his hands and entered the Hall of Juxians together with Eunuch Zhou.

At this time, there were only Emperor Wu and the crown prince Helian Feiyan in the palace. When Helian Feiyan saw Zong Zhengyi walking in, he immediately stood up to greet him.

"Yi, you're here?" In his tone, there was no high-ranking princely attitude, but more like the intimacy between two friends.

"My ministers see the emperor, see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Zong Zhengyi still had a gentle face, with a lot of courtesy, and he still controlled the distance that should be kept well.

"Prime Minister, you don't need to be too polite." Emperor Wu also stood up and said calmly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zongzheng Yi straightened up, and immediately got to the point: "My humble servant has the courage, please take it back!"

"Oh? Which one is the prime minister asking me to take back?" Emperor Wu asked pretending to be puzzled.

Zongzhengyi remained calm, and Fushen replied: "Please take back the order to marry me and Miss Qiao Si."

"Yi, you are not joking." Helian Feiyan knew Zong Zhengyi's character, and he was sure that he would come after learning of the marriage offer, but he never thought that he would say such words directly and demand a The king of the country took back his order.

Zong Zhengyi was unmoved, looked at Emperor Wu firmly and said: "Your Majesty, I know what the Emperor is thinking, so you don't have to worry about it. I will definitely serve His Highness the Crown Prince for as long as I live. Innocent people are involved!"

In fact, Zong Zhengyi understood Emperor Wu's true thoughts, but he couldn't say it now, if he did, he was afraid that there would be more plots in the future.

Emperor Wu narrowed his eyes slightly, and said slowly: "I am very relieved of you, but the Qiao family is the second family of my Nanwu Kingdom, and even higher than the third family of your Zongzheng family. With so much power, I have to do this!"

"But your majesty, Miss Qiao is innocent, if so..." Zong Zhengyi said worriedly, but was stopped by Emperor Wu.

"Prime Minister, I will never let the wealth of the Qiao family fall into the hands of outsiders. You are the subject I trust the most, so I will marry the fourth lady of the Qiao family to you. If you don't accept it, I will also marry her With other people, are you sure you want to resist the decree and let me marry that girl to other people?" Emperor Wu was good at scheming, and Zong Zhengyi grew up under his nose, so he knew his character.

When Emperor Wu said this, Helian Feiyan immediately added a sentence: "Yi, don't you forget that Miss Qiao had previously broken off the engagement with the first son of the Feng family, if you ask the emperor to divorce this time, then Qiao A girl's reputation can be..."

Although they are friends who grew up together, at this critical moment, Helian Feiyan will still choose to stand on his own interests.The Qiao family is an indispensable economic force in the Nanwu Kingdom. In the near future, with more power, there will be more chances of winning!
Zong Zhengyi glanced at Emperor Wu indifferently, and then at Helian Feiyan, without showing any other emotions on his face.

"I understand, please forgive me to step down first." Zong Zhengyi raised his eyes and said, his voice was a little cold.

"Prepare well, the wedding day will be ten days later, and the crown prince will go to wish Aiqing's big day instead of me." Emperor Wu knew that he had overwhelmed him now, but he also felt vigilant in his heart.He knew how strong Zongzheng Yi was. Compared with the former prime minister Zongzheng Wudi, he was even worse than him, and it was even more difficult for people to figure it out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I will leave!" Zong Zhengyi's voice was lukewarm, and he withdrew after getting permission.

When Zong Zhengyi's figure left the gate of Juxian Hall, Helian Feiyan frowned slightly, and said sideways, "Father..."

Emperor Wu seemed to already know what Helian Feiyan was going to say, so he raised his hand to stop him before he opened his mouth, and said flatly: "I believe he has his own measure."

However, Helian Feiyan felt a little uneasy for no reason. Zong Zhengyi and himself were considered brothers, and even if there was a battle for the throne next, he didn't want to break the friendship between the two for more than ten years.

Luoxin Garden.

Entering the gate is a narrow road paved with stones. The tall ginkgo trees are like open green umbrellas, and the fresh green is a bit green in the sunlight.Pass through the courtyard, step up nine wooden steps, and enter the air attic cabin made of wood.Although it is not high, there are copper bells hanging on the four cornices. When the breeze blows, it will easily play a "Ding Ding Dong Dong" movement.

Inside the wooden house, the simple furnishings are not luxurious but extremely elegant.

The fragrance of tea was overflowing, and although the three people in the room had faint smiles on their faces, compared with the previous laziness, their eyes now had more depth.

"Yu, it seems that the emperor has clearly stated his position." Zongzheng Yan said slowly, tasting the strong tea with strong fragrance.

(End of this chapter)