A Thousand Hills

Chapter 52

Princess Wenkang doesn't care what other people think, she has held wedding ceremonies for Princess Yongfu and Princess Changtai in a glorious manner, and the Cheng'en government has to come to her and tell her nice things, "We don't dare to steal the limelight from Your Highness anymore" "What, of course, people say it euphemistically, but that's what it means when translated.Princess Wenkang said, "I know, they are all members of the same family. Who doesn't know who?"

Empress Dowager Hu also told her that I made a mistake at the moment, and your uncle's family didn't mean to offend you by stealing this job.Princess Wenkang said, "My queen, you should pay more attention to it in the future, it's just me, don't care about it with your mother."

Empress Dowager Hu was angry, "You still don't care about me! Your emperor brother would not be so disobedient to Ai's family." Who is not caressing about whom?
Princess Wenkang said, "Emperor brother would not come up with such a bad idea. Queen Mother, you should also think about it. Yongfu Changtai, is this an ordinary princess? The first princess born of the queen was raised under the knee of the queen mother since childhood, except for the royal family , who deserves to preside over the Jiji ceremony for them. I didn't say it was to save face for the mother, so my grandmother was not confused and knew that she had resigned from this job. She didn't hesitate to try. At this moment, the memorial from Yushitai has put Cheng En The palace is flooded. Not to mention the face of Yongfu and Changtai. If you ask Mrs. Shouan to preside over their wedding ceremony, what about the three princesses in the future? The three princesses are not as born as Yongfu and Changtai, but the queen mother will preside over it herself?! Are you in a trap? Is my grandmother in an unrighteous place? In the future, if there is such a big event, don’t just talk about it without even thinking about it. If you have no idea, discuss it with Brother Huang first, or discuss it with me. Which one of us will harm you? Just focus on Cheng En The Duke's mansion, as everyone knows, it's not the place that's out of the way, but his family is embarrassed."

The Empress Dowager Hu was convinced, and turned to babbling old sayings, how much hardship she had suffered first, how the Cheng'en government suffered.

Princess Wenkang is not Emperor Mu Yuan. She said directly, "I used to be a commoner, but all of them are expensive because of their mother, and suddenly they became a first-class mansion. What's the matter with suffering so much? The imperial capital started from a humble beginning. At that time, which family didn't suffer? It was the father who fought in the world and took down the country by a narrow escape. Is it suffering? Let me tell you, his family is the only one in the world? My brother goes to court every day and worries about state affairs, doesn't it? Not hard?"

Queen Mother Hu went dumb.

Princess Wenkang persuaded her, "Mother, please worry about the emperor when you have time. This is your real son. No matter how filial your grandson is, he will not be as filial as your son. If you have your own mother, you have to back off as a grandmother." Take good care of the emperor, your luck lies in the future."

Empress Dowager Hu said, "I talk nonsense all day, don't I worry about the emperor?" Of course her most important thing is her son, Empress Dowager Hu said, "I still worry about you, you are heartless, I'm afraid you don't know."

"I don't know, can I come to persuade you? Change someone else, and I will take care of her." Princess Wenkang said, "You can just enjoy your life with peace of mind."

Empress Dowager Hu knew her daughter's filial piety, but her words were not very pleasant, but her heart was not bad, she sighed, "Understood. Don't get angry with your uncle's family because of this matter, you still angered Ning Rong, she is both your aunt and your aunt, so it's hard for her."

"Mother, don't listen to her pouring enchantment soup on you. The left eye of those two eyes is rich, and the right eye is noble. I don't think about anything other than wealth. I used to persuade my mother to make a queen for the emperor. Do you think I don't know? It's already Eldest princess, what else do you want? She even wants to intervene in the emperor's harem, but thanks to your mother, you still trust her?" Princess Wenkang was furious when she mentioned it.I didn't want to say too much, but this is my mother again, watching my mother keep jumping into the pit, even the queen mother can't help it.

Empress Dowager Hu said, "At the time when your imperial brother was in charge, she also contributed a lot. Even in the palace, she was good to me. Later, she married your uncle. All these years, she has been obedient."

"Mother, just remember, except for the emperor and me, you should pay more attention to anyone else. It's just a matter of three melons and two dates. If it's a big matter, don't be soft-hearted. Believe what others say. Feng The position of Yi, how can you allow others lightly? I made you happy, and told you to talk to the emperor, are you sure that the emperor is happy? The emperor is not happy, are you going to force him to make Hu's daughter the queen? Brother Huang has been the emperor for so many years. If he wants to have a queen, he will naturally. Whom he wants to have, he will naturally talk to the queen mother. If he really wanted to have Ning Rong's daughter, when Ning Rong came to ask you to resign When the time comes, Brother Huang will open his mouth to register. Brother Huang didn’t say anything, but he just didn’t like it. Because of her, why don’t you marry Brother Huang a wife he doesn’t like? Wouldn’t the distance and close relationship be reversed!” At this level, She still wants to interfere in the country's major affairs. Princess Wenkang can tolerate not many people. Princess Ningrong treats her mother as a fool and violates her taboo. I don’t care about small things for my uncle all these years. Now I’m getting more and more unsatisfied!”

"Mother, don't forget that King Jingjiang is still alive and kicking in the feudal domain. She has always been on good terms with her mother, and she has been submissive all these years. Aunt Ning Ping has many conflicts with us, but there is one thing. There was no Aunt Ning Ping back then. Brother Huang's throne is hard to guarantee. If Jingjiang was in power back then, you and my mother and daughter would be afraid of falling into the loess, and she, she would be an upright eldest princess!" Princess Wenkang said with a stinky face, "I think it's just giving her too much face! "

People with soft ears are soft and can be blown by the wind, not to mention hurricanes. No matter how confused Mrs. Hu is, she dare not be confused about the affairs of the throne.Princess Wenkang whispered to her, and Empress Dowager Hu also woke up.

Princess Ningrong didn't know that Empress Dowager Hu was whispering with Princess Wenkang, she was frowning because of the ceremonies, and said to Cheng Li, "I didn't expect Wenkang to turn his face suddenly." Princess Wenkang is not an ordinary person, this is Hu The empress dowager's own daughter, the current younger sister, she doesn't even give the empress dowager face, the emperor had to send Princess Changtai to invite her into the palace.Princess Ningrong said a hundred sentences, but she might not be able to say one as Princess Wenkang said.Originally, she was fine, Princess Wenkang was never polite to others, but she was always close to her uncle's family.Eldest Princess Ningrong also thought that she was always supporting her and never dared to offend her, but she didn't know that Eldest Princess Wenkang turned her face mercilessly.

Cheng Li said, "But where did you offend Princess Chang?"

"Who dares to offend her? If the Queen Mother's words don't suit her, she will throw up her sleeves and leave. Your Majesty will ask Princess Changtai to invite her before she is willing to enter the palace." Princess Ning Rong sighed, alas, this is The confidence of the eldest princess.Just like Princess Wenkang said, "I am the sister of the emperor, my brother is the emperor, my father is the emperor, and my mother is the queen mother!", this is the confidence of Princess Wenkang!
Cheng Li said, "At the time when the queen mother was injured, she directly asked the old lady to preside over the ceremony and the ceremony on her behalf, lest the eldest princess think that our family is instigating the queen mother to take her limelight and embarrass her."

Princess Ningrong said, "If Wenkang thinks so, it's hard to tell if he jumped into the Yellow River." After being persuaded by Li, he went to the palace with Mrs. Shou'an to say goodbye to the matter the next day.

Cheng En is fair, "It's better to find a way to resolve this misunderstanding."

"The explanation has been explained, but I don't know what the eldest princess is thinking." Cheng Lidao, "It's the Chinese New Year now, a great opportunity, after all, Cheng En Gong's mansion is the eldest princess's uncle's house, and the eldest princess has always lost her temper. Let it pass. During the Chinese New Year, invite the eldest princess to come over for a drink, walk around a little more, and you will be able to unravel slowly."

Cheng Li said, "Although this matter is easy to solve, the princess's temper is really difficult to control."

Princess Ningrong suddenly said, "I have an idea. Wenkang's eldest son, Li Xuan, is fourteen this year, and Yongfu has just reached the age of Ji. He will be married to him, and he is a good match at the same age. What do you think, sir?"

"Your Highness, if the eldest princess wants the eldest son to be the lord, she can only be Princess Changtai." How good is Princess Changtai, who was born in the first line of the Yuan Dynasty, not to mention the most honorable among the princesses. There are no siblings, and the mother clan is also the Duke of the state. government.

Eldest Princess Ningrong sighed, "What you said is also reasonable, what's more, Wen Kang just annoyed the Cheng'en government, if you bring up this matter again, if it doesn't suit her, you will offend her."

Cheng Li asked, "Does your Highness know, where did Your Majesty stay the night before Princess Changtai went to the Princess Chang's Mansion to persuade the Princess?"

Princess Ningrong said, "Concubine Xie's Linzhi Palace."

Cheng Lidao, "The queen mother is less resourceful. Most of the affairs in the palace are handled by the two noble concubines Zhao Xie. I have been thinking who gave His Majesty the idea to ask Princess Changtai to persuade Princess Changtai. Now it seems that the person who gave the idea is Thank you, Concubine."

Princess Ningrong agreed with Cheng Li's words, and said, "I didn't expect Mrs. Xie to give His Majesty such an idea. The Empress Dowager made rumors that she wanted the noble concubine to hold the princess and the ceremony on her behalf. It seems Mrs. Xie is not tempted."

"How can you not be tempted if you are tempted." Cheng Li sighed, "This move by Concubine Xie is really smart."

"Maybe it was Xie's idea. On that day Madam Xie entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Although she did not meet with Concubine Xie in private, Concubine Xie condemned her confidants to send Madam Xie off." Eldest Princess Ning Rong He is also a careful person.

It doesn't matter who's idea, after this matter, Cheng En Gong's mansion failed to achieve its goal, but Xie Guifei won the emperor's heart.Cheng Li said, "Princess Yi'an went to the eldest princess's mansion to admire the plum blossoms, and she brought the second daughter of the Xie family with her. I think Xie Moru knew that she had offended the eldest princess, so she didn't go there. It seems that Princess Yi'an is quite close to her husband's family. We might as well ask Princess Yi'an to bring Miss Xie's family to Cheng'en Gong's mansion more often. Our family and Xie's family should relax a little bit, Xie Moru won't come together. The second girl of Xie's family has another benefit, her biological mother , is the eldest daughter of Jijiu Ning Jijiu, the new Imperial Academy, and her grandmother was born in the Marquis of Jinning."

Eldest Princess Ning Rong sighed with a smile, "At the beginning, the imperial sister chose the Xie family for Mrs. Wei Guo after thousands of choices, but in the end, it was nothing more than that."

"Madame Wei Guo has long lost power, so it's nothing to worry about. But if one day, Madam Wei Guo turns over, it must be because of this woman." Cheng Li knuckles lightly, said, "For this woman, my subordinates still say that we should be friends. Xie family, don't deliberately win over this girl, but don't offend her either."

"Since the fifth girl and Jili, I have checked Xie's family. At first, Mrs. Wei Guo didn't go out for a long time, and Xie's second girl's biological mother, Ning, was quite famous. But for some reason, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xie's parents Fang entered another good concubine, a lady from a good family hired by Mrs. Xie who spent three thousand silver, and she didn't hear much about Ning Shi since then." Cheng Li said, "Ning Shi did it for Xie Song when the Ning family lost power. Concubine. Now that the Ning family has returned to the court, Ning’s sacrificial wine is highly valued. How can Xie’s family become a good concubine at this time, and Your Majesty, who has not rewarded Mrs. Wei for a long time, has rewarded Wei Guo before the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. Ma'am. Then, Xie Moru started to follow Madam Xie out and about, the first time she went out was to Cheng'en Gong's mansion, this woman is powerful, it is obvious to all. If the prediction is correct, the Ning family will definitely be defeated by her."

"I don't know what she likes?"

"She has no shortage of gold and silver in her hands. For such a powerful person, she must be given real benefits. We have nothing to tempt her, so we have to not offend her. No matter how capable she is, she has to rely on thank you." family, as long as we make good friends with the Xie family so that she will stop talking nonsense and harm our family, that's all."

Eldest Princess Ningrong said, "Even if you have a good relationship with her, there are many risks. It's better to thank the second girl. Although she is a concubine, in terms of benefits, it is not worse than a concubine."

"You can see the benefits of the second girl Xie. I can't see the benefits of the eldest girl Xie. The Xie family is a swinging family. It's easy to get along with it, but it's hard to get along with each other. We have to go step by step. The second prince is only 13 years old now, and he has lived for ten years. How about 20 years? How about 20 years?" Cheng Li and Cheng Engong looked at each other with a smile. In 20 years, the people he arranged with Cheng Engong should be able to find a few grains of real gold.

Xie's family also learned about Princess Wenkang from Princess Yi'an, Xie's family was also quite surprised, alas, Princess Wenkang was very respectful to Cheng Engong's family in the past.How is this, it is really surprising.

Therefore, things are strange. During the Chinese New Year, the Xie family still took time to hold a family meeting. Xie Moru said, "Actually, there was one thing that surprised me. Now it seems that I can figure it out." In the study Caged two pots of good silver frost charcoal, Xie Moru still felt that it was not as warm as her own courtyard, she put her hand in the snow fox fur hand muffler, holding the small hand stove, and said softly, "Remember when I went out with my second uncle , I saw Li Shizi once. I heard that Li Shizi was studying in the Imperial College, and I wondered why Li Shizi didn't study with the prince in the palace. In terms of closeness and family background, if the Li family is interested, I think no matter which prince will be very happy I am willing to be accompanied by Li Shizi. Even Your Majesty has no reason not to be unwilling. Looking at it now, it may be that the eldest princess herself has no intention of Li Shizi to accompany the prince."

Xie Bai said, "It seems that the eldest princess doesn't want to bet too early."

"In the past, I underestimated the eldest princess." I thought it was a bad temper, but unexpectedly she was sober.Xie Songdao, "This time, the eldest princess may have the intention of breaking up with Duke Cheng'en's mansion." The eldest princess and the Marquis of Yong'an are already prominent, apart from their kinship, there is really no reason to be a vassal of the Hu family.Speaking of relatives, all the princes are the eldest princess' nephews.This time, the eldest princess can count on several things in one fell swoop.This woman known for her "bad temper" cannot be underestimated.Thinking of this, Xie Song said to Xie Moru, "Be careful of the eldest princess in the future." Once this woman got mad, Cheng Engong's mansion was lying on the ground and couldn't get up for a short time. If he wanted to target Xie Moru, it would be too much walk.

Xie Moru nodded, not worried about the Eldest Princess, and said, "The second younger sister went with Princess Yi'an to the Eldest Princess to participate in the Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet. The Eldest Princess didn't do anything to the second younger sister. It can be seen that she will not do anything to our family. I just want Just keep away from her." The eldest princess's temper, this time it's not always true to say that she is deliberately angry, the queen mother herself can't preside over the princess and the ceremony, so she suggested to the old lady Shou'an that the status of the eldest princess Wenkang in the royal family is just like that. As Princess Wenkang herself said, apart from the queen mother and empress, she is the only one.Now that there is no queen, the queen mother does not choose her own daughter, but Mrs. Shou'an.Princess Wenkang does not belong to Baozi, she doesn't get angry because of Mrs. Shou'an's seniority and forbearance.Once it happens, it doesn't matter.Regardless of whether it was wronged or not, the Cheng En Gong Mansion will swallow this up!
Princess Wenkang's move is not harmful to the Xie family.Xie Moru thought of something else, she asked, "Grandfather, is Xining Pass still peaceful?"

The whole family was talking about Princess Wenkang, why did Xie Moru jump to Xining Pass, this kind of jump was a bit big, Xie Shangshu didn't understand Xie Moru's meaning for a while, and still said, "After General Song passed away, Qin will The general took over the affairs of Xining Pass, and I haven't heard anything uneasy."

"I heard that the Western Man King is nearly sixty years old, and I'm really worried that he will return to the West someday."

Xie Moru often had strange remarks, but this time it made the whole family dumbfounded.This, this, does Xie Moru have enmity with the Western Man King?

"Sixty, that's not a young age. I heard that Ximan lives as nomads, and doctors and medicine are no better than mine. Even if I court, needless to say, when the first emperor, I only have one son today. The country has almost changed hands. Now that he is just in his infancy, he is still young, but because the princes are growing up, people's minds have changed." Xie Moru said, "How many sons does the King of Ximan have? I read in the book that this The Ximan king killed his elder brother. The old king is 60 years old. I think this Ximan king has many heroic deeds, can grandpa tell me about it?"

Xie Shangshu heard Xie Moru's words, his heart became active, and said at this moment, "The Western barbarians are brave. The Emperor Taizu went to the west, but the person who really calmed down the Xining Pass is the old Yingying, the father of General Song. , the old Song general, who was born as a bodyguard of the Taizu, and later led the army, also under the command of the old British Duke. After the death of the Emperor Taizu, the Western Barbarians invaded the border, and the old British Duke led the troops to put down. Later, the old Marquis Yongan was stationed in Xiningguan, and the old After the Duke of England died of illness, the Duke of England was punished for his crimes. Not long after he came to power, the Western barbarians kowtowed again, and the King of Jin died in that battle. Today, the Lord of Jin was blamed for the death of the King of Jin, and the old Marquis of Yong’an I recommended General Song as a general. That year, General Song was only a weaker general. If you say that General Song was a natural born general, it is a pity that he passed away at a young age!" Xie Shangshu sighed, sincerely for Song The general is sorry.

Xie Moru didn't sigh, and just smiled casually, "This Western barbarian is also well-informed, why every time there is a big event in my court, he will go to war."

Xie Shangshu said, "The place in Ximan is rich in cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock, and the rest are not produced in tea, silk and other things. Therefore, the two countries set up a bargaining field to conduct transactions. But the transaction is quantitative. In fact, it is mostly because of the number of transactions. Besides, the Western Man is barren. If there is a natural disaster, they will not have enough food and clothing, and people will starve to death. Lord." After pondering for a while, he said, "He has been in power for more than thirty years, and the tribes around him, big and small, have taken away a lot for him. What you said reminded me."

Xie Moru pursed his lips slightly and said no more.It was Xie Bo who was so curious that he asked Xie Moru, "Mo Ru, how do you know the King of the Western Man?" Even his age is so clear.

"I heard what Master Wenxiu said. The master said that when he was traveling, he went to Ximan and met the king of Ximan. It is also written in the travel notes. Didn't the second uncle read it?"

"I saw it, but I didn't expect it to be this king." There was only one mention in the travel notes, but he really didn't think about which king was recorded in it, what age, how many sons he had and so on.

"Ah, this, I asked Miss Jiang later, and she gave me a travel book, talking about Xining, we discussed it, and I happened to talk about the king of Ximan, and then I realized that this king is really long-lived, almost sixty years old. Ten."

"It's not about to be sixty, it's already sixty." Xie Bo said, "Honglu Temple is in charge of the affairs of various countries. Years ago, all countries had congratulatory letters. I checked, and the king of Ximan is just 60 years old this year. The king of Northern Liang is young. Similar to my Majesty, the Nanyue king is forty-five."

Xie Moru smiled, "Someday the second uncle is free, how about we go out and play together?"

Xie Bai hurriedly said seriously, "It's an honor to be invited by a lady."

The whole family laughed.

It was not too early, Xie Bo sent Xie Moru back to the Dujuan Courtyard, and when he left the study, the chill pierced his bones, the night sky was full and the moon was as clear as water, even without a maid to light the lamp, the road was clear.

Both uncle and nephew were wrapped in big fur cloaks, Xie Bo couldn't help asking, "Do you have ambition?"

Xie Moru said, "Those who sit in the well don't know the vastness of the sky. In the eyes of mean people, there is little generosity. Those who pursue fame and wealth gain and lose at the expense of fame and fortune. I was born trapped by my birth. People understand that they misunderstood me, misunderstood me, and underestimated me."

(End of this chapter)