Once magnificent, now brilliant

Chapter 66

It is said that since the eldest prince returned to the palace, the emperor would visit him every day and often eat with him. It seemed that the family relationship between father and son for many years was released at this moment.The eldest prince was also someone who would please the emperor, and even the fourth prince felt that he was at a disadvantage when he went to pay his respects.Fortunately, the time is staggered with the eldest prince, otherwise this face would be really ugly.

The emperor dotes on the eldest prince, and the women in the palace can't be jealous if they want to. This is the family relationship between father and son, and it's completely different from those who compete for beauty.And the concubines with the prince are even more worried. The eldest prince's health cannot be said to be much better, but with the treatment of the imperial physician and the consumption of various expensive medicines and supplements, he may really live a long life.

No one in the palace could not feel the emperor's love for the eldest prince, and some even began to speculate that the emperor would pass the throne to the eldest prince.The eldest prince's health is not good, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to have heirs, but if he establishes a prince's younger brother in the future, he can live smoothly to old age.As long as this younger brother is close enough to the First Prince and grew up beside the First Prince, his relationship may not be inferior to that of his own.The eldest prince's knowledge is nothing more than a son's throne being passed on to another son, and it is all inherited from him, so there is nothing to be entangled with.So for a while, the wind direction of the court became more confusing.

Among them, the most unwilling one is of course Jiao Zhaoyi.She was pregnant, which was supposed to be the time when she was the most favored, but since the eldest prince came back, the number of times the emperor came to her was pitifully infrequent, it was worse than when she was not pregnant.But she can't do anything, that's the prince, the eldest son from the direct line, in terms of status in the palace, don't say that the person in her belly doesn't know whether it's a man or a woman, even if she gives birth to a prince, it's still a bastard, ranking seventh, it's really It is incomparable with the dignity of the First Prince.

It is not uncommon for her to have heard of the wind direction above the court and various speculations about the harem, and she also had the idea of ​​handing over her child to the First Prince.But this thought was only for a moment, and she knew in her heart that she belonged to the second prince, how could the first prince want her child.Therefore, it is more hopeful to cling to the second prince.Moreover, these are still rumors, and there are countless things to do.

Qi Xiang was leaning on the couch, eating melon seeds and reading a book. He finished the armor yesterday, and today Bai Junyu took it back to Fengbei General's Mansion to show his father.

But Shi Zhou went out of the door, and went directly into Qi Xiang's room when he came back.

"The people who were sent to investigate before found something." But Shizhou's face was serious, as if it was a very important matter.

Qi Xiang put down the book, invited Shi Shi to sit in the boat, and then asked, "What's the matter?"

"Didn't you ask people to check whether Hu Mingwu had any trusted subordinates during his expedition?" Que Shizhou said bluntly, "They sent news that although Hu Mingwu does not have his own army, as an old man in the court, he can appoint some people when he goes out. Follow him. Every time he named people, there were Li Huang, Sun Gui, and Zhou Youwei, and his subordinates also carefully investigated the origins of these people, and made important discoveries."

Qi Xiang had no impression of these three names, "Major discovery?"

But Shizhou frowned and said: "These three people have changed their names. Their original names were Shi Wumao, Wei Jian, and Lu Zhongwei. And these three people were all in your father's army before. Later, in that battle, it was said that they were soldiers." died."

Qi Xiang couldn't believe it, "Three people cheated to death? How did the people under him find out?"

But Shizhou said: "The people we sent to investigate became suspicious because they saw their familiarity. They changed their names, but their ancestral home did not change, and they did not abandon their wives and children. They just moved house secretly. Following this I searched all the way to their hometown, and took portraits for people in my hometown to identify them. Everyone in my hometown recognized them, but they all said that they were killed in battle, and their wives and children remarried, and they have long since disappeared.”

These people under him were actually pathfinding soldiers in his father's army at that time. It was a very secret team, and it was also cultivated by his father himself. They had a name in the army, but in reality they were more like private soldiers.Before that battle, his father asked them to find out about another ethnic group that was dormant nearby, fearing that they would come out to sweep the tail when both sides were wounded and catch the army by surprise.But the war broke out suddenly, and when this team returned, the overall situation was already settled.They felt that something was wrong, but there was no basis for it, so they hid for a while, and after discussion, they came to join Qi Xiang.

They never considered going to the eldest son of the Qi family from the beginning to the end, because they knew it was

It's not a big deal.Although Qi Xiang is not valued in the mansion, he has a good reputation and is credible.When they came, Qi Xiang's aunt and brother had passed away, so there was nothing to hesitate about this matter.At that time, Qi Xiang had already met the master, and he had confirmed what he was going to do. What he lacked was manpower, so he handed them over to the master for arrangement.

But Shi Zhou was capable, and they also admired him, and gradually he became a subordinate who was completely used by Qi Xiang.

So these people could recognize Wu Qing and Zhao Zhenggang at the beginning, and now they also recognize Shi Wumao and others.

"It's impossible for Hu Mingwu to take in those three people for no reason. If those three people don't have someone to help behind them, it's impossible for those three people to change their names and surnames so easily, not to mention that they have military status. It seems that the second prince is taking the right step. Hu Mingwu is probably true. Know something inside. But now that the person is dead, I can only start from another direction." There is no such a coincidence in the world, if Hu Mingwu didn't know about his father's problem in advance, how could he suddenly bring these three people with him all the time? ?

But Shi Zhou was also quite emotional, "Originally, I just wanted to use Hu Mingwu's matter to bring down the third prince, but now I didn't expect to get involved in the inside story that may be related to your father. What are you going to do?"

"Let me think about it again. I will tell Jun Yu about this. The army is not clean, so he has to be more careful."

"Aren't you afraid that he will ask you how you found this out?" But Shizhou raised his eyebrows, feeling that his apprentice trusted Bai Junyu more and more.

Qi Xiang smiled lightly, "I said Master's people found it."

But Shi Zhou had no choice but to say, "Okay. You can tell me what to do next after you have figured it out."

"it is good."

After Bai Junyu came back, he said with a smile full of pride: "Father saw it and was very surprised, and asked me to ask if you are tired and when you have time to help him."

Qi Xiang said with a smile: "It's not a troublesome thing at all, it can be done at any time."

That's Bai Junyu's father, so it must be any time.

Bai Junyu cleaned her hands, and gave the box she brought back to Qi Xiang, "Mom just made the flower cake today, try it quickly."

The few clouds in Qi Xiang's heart dissipated like this, he opened the box, took a piece and started to eat.The freshly baked rose flower cake is still warm, sweet and fragrant, just right for Qi Xiang's appetite.

"I went home today and heard from my father that the wind in the court has become more chaotic. Before, we always felt that the eldest prince's body was the most unsuitable to inherit the great rule, but judging by the emperor's attitude, it seems that it is not impossible. More importantly, the eldest prince seems to be interested in the throne." This signal also forced them to be nervous and take it seriously. Before, they thought that the third prince was the biggest threat, but now it seems that this is really not the case.

"Since the eldest prince is back, there must be something to say. That is the throne, which is what every prince wants, and he will not be willing to be a prince in the future because of his poor health. Besides, the eldest prince is the eldest son, His family background is nobler than other princes, and he can feel arrogance when talking to him. How could he be willing to let his concubine younger brother climb on his head and let him kneel down? Besides, if the third prince inherits the throne, he can tolerate Him?" In the struggle for the throne, no one can really stay out of it.

"At first I wanted to be lazy and return to the court later, but now it seems that I can't delay any longer. Now there are only my father and the fourth prince in the court. I don't worry if the Taifu has not returned to the court. The previous lessons should also be written down. When I went back, I realized that there was no room for meddling." Bai Junyu said.

Qi Xiang nodded, "That's right. You should also discuss this matter with the fourth prince. In the final analysis, the fourth prince has to make up his own mind about matters in the palace."

The news he receives is always lagging behind. Now that the fourth prince has entered the household department, he must arrive in the early court, and he can't do much about it. After so many years, the fourth prince must also know when to let go, and why Time to go.His return to the capital did prompt the fourth prince to be willing to discuss with him, and he also put a lot of thought into all parties along the way, but this was not a long-term solution.

Moreover, there were some clues about his father's affairs back then, and he didn't have time to take care of so much, so he had to settle his own affairs first.It was enough for the Fourth Prince to have Xian Xuan and Bai Junyu by his side.

"Okay. Later I'll

Take a walk to the Fourth Prince's Mansion, and the day after tomorrow I will hand over a booklet to ask the emperor to allow me to return to court. "

After Qi Xiang finished eating a piece of rose cake, she couldn't hold back and took another piece, "I also have something to tell you."

Bai Junyu listened carefully, "Speak."

Qi Xiang told Bai Junyu what he had found.

Bai Junyu's originally stretched brows frowned, "Is there such a thing? It seems that the battle back then was really not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Do you need me to send someone to help you?"

Qi Xiang shook her head, "No need, Master has someone in his possession, I'll check it myself."

Bai Junyu has a clear heart, but no matter how powerful Shi Zhou is, he is still a traveling doctor. He may enjoy a high reputation in the Jianghu, but it is a bit abnormal for the traveling doctor to be surrounded by so many people who can be called to investigate the matter.Traveling doctors are usually alone, or take one or two young apprentices to make rounds for people. What's the use of raising those who can do things for themselves?So he was more inclined that those who helped Qi Xiang to investigate the matter had other backgrounds, but Qi Xiang didn't want to say it, and he wouldn't ask, as long as it didn't threaten Qi Xiang, it was easy to say anything.

"Then you have to pay more attention to safety, and tell me if there is anything difficult to solve. After I return to the court, it will be more convenient to check the military affairs. If necessary, tell me anytime." This is the only thing he can do for now. What Qi Xiang did was probably the only thing Qi Xiang needed him to do.

"I know, don't worry."

After Bai Junyu returned to the court, the atmosphere in the court became more tense.Perhaps no one thought that Bai Junyu could stand in the courtroom so intact, without any signs of injury, even the left minister unconsciously looked at Bai Junyu a few more times.

"I see that Jun Yu's injury has completely healed. It really is God's blessing for me, Dachuan." The emperor was very happy. Military generals are no better than civil servants. Civil servants can advise the country even when they are injured in a wheelchair, but military generals will always go to the battlefield. There are hundreds of them, and generals are hard to find. It must be a blessing for Bai Junyu to return to the court unharmed.

Bai Junyu came out and thanked the emperor for his kindness during this time.

The emperor said cheerfully: "Just in time, taking advantage of this happy event, I will hold a palace banquet tonight, all my dear friends, don't be late."

It really gave Bai Junyu a lot of face to be able to have a banquet hosted by the emperor. Bai Junyu thanked her, but she was thinking about what Qi Xiang would eat at night.

"I don't know what's going on with the Taifu's health. The Taifu has worked hard for the country. It's really hard. Now that there is such a happy thing, the Taifu should also come to celebrate." The emperor said with a smile: "Li Dian, after a while, you will come down to court. Go to the Taifu's place to see for yourself, if the Taifu is better, be sure to invite him to the palace banquet."

"The servant complies with the order." Eunuch Li responded with a smile.

This is also a signal to everyone in the court that the fraud has not been found to be related to the Taifu so far, and the emperor intends to let the Taifu return to the court to serve.

At the palace banquet, no matter if it was false or sincere, everyone was smiling and exchanged cups.Bai Junyu was naturally one of their main objects of respect.Today, except for the sixth prince, all the other princes also participated.The Taifu was also there, but he still said that he was not in good health and hadn't drank alcohol.

After drinking for three rounds, the emperor was also in high spirits, so he asked Bai Junyu what he had done during his recuperation period, and the tone was only a few words of care and chat.

But before Bai Junyu could reply, Rong Qing said: "Father doesn't know. General Bai is busy during his recuperation. He built a house for Qi Xiang, which is opposite to their general's mansion, and asked someone to help him move. My son heard that General Bai visits the house all day long, so I wonder if there is anything in Qi Xiang's house that attracts General Bai."

Jiao Zhaoyi was pregnant, and he did receive a lot of benefits along with it.It is precisely because of this that Qi Xiang feels more and more important.It's just that it's too difficult for him to see Qi Xiang now, he has to figure out many things by himself, and sometimes he feels powerless.

Rong Hong pressed the corner of his mouth with his wine glass, and looked at Rong Qing with disdain and mockery.The fact that Bai Junyu often went to Qi Xiang's place was revealed to Rong Qing "unintentionally". He originally wanted Rong Qing to make a fuss here, but he didn't expect this idiot to be so restless. What threat can a word have?

"Oh?" The emperor looked at Bai Junyu. It's not a big deal, but he was also a little curious to let Bai Junyu go all day.

Bai Junyu drank a lot, but his mind was sober, "Back to the emperor, the emperor also knows that Qi Xiang is not in good health, and he suffers especially in winter. That's why I decided to help him change a more comfortable place. I hurt my mood during this time." It is also inevitable to be bored, but with him to relieve it a little bit, I can feel at ease."

The emperor nodded, "You are still young, it's normal to be bored when things happen. Qi Xiang is a good kid, and he has saved you, so you should take care of him a bit more."

"Yes."

Rong Qing's nose was almost crooked, it was different from what he thought, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Rong Hong said in a timely manner: "Father, I saw that you praised Qi Xiang a lot, and I have also heard about Qi Xiang's extensive knowledge in his early years. Since he has favored his father, it is better for his father to give him an official position." , let him share your worries?"

Rong Hong's words seemed to be casual, but the ministers present all pricked up their ears and became nervous.Everyone knows that Qi Xiang is a classmate of the fourth prince, so isn't it obvious who is most beneficial to enter the court?And the emperor does have the right to surpass the imperial examinations to appoint officials for capable students, and they can't make a fuss about it.And this matter was brought up by the first prince, if Qi Xiang really intends to become an official, he must be grateful to the first prince in his heart, which is not good for the second and third princes.

Bai Junyu and Rong Cang looked at each other, but didn't speak.Of course they didn't approve of Qi Xiang's entry into the official position, not because they couldn't believe it, but because of Qi Xiang's body, if he didn't mention it in the morning every day, wouldn't he suffer if he went out to do errands?Second, Qi Xiang is now in a state of being outside the court, and Qi Xiang will not be involved in anything above the court.But if Qi Xiang also came in, he would be in danger. If something happened to them, Qi Xiang would be involved together, and Qi Xiang would have no room to turn around.

But they haven't discussed this matter with Qi Xiang, and they don't know what Qi Xiang thinks.So hastily helping Qi Xiang to refuse may displease the emperor.In addition, if people with ulterior motives make a fuss about this matter, saying that they have hindered Qi Xiang's career, I am afraid that Qi Xiang will have a grudge in his heart.

The First Prince just doesn't say anything, this speech pushes everyone into a situation where they are not in the same place, it is really not an easy way to save fuel.Rong Cang's vigilance was also suddenly raised - he had relied too much on Qi Xiang before, and was negligent about what he should guard against and detect, which was really wrong.

At this time, some ministers began to object.

"Although the emperor trusts Qi Xiang, Qi Xiang's reputation for knowledge has been a matter of years ago. Although he has given advice to the emperor now, they are all heresy, not the way of governing the country. Therefore, I think that the emperor authorized him to enter the country. Shi, it's really inappropriate."

"Your majesty, I also think this matter is inappropriate. Qi Xiang has not entered the school for five years, and he has not done his best in mathematics before being assigned. After so many years, I am afraid that he has almost forgotten it. He is not a superior who entered the court for a lawsuit. select."

"Your Majesty, after all, Qi Xiang is the son of a sinful minister. If he becomes an official through the imperial examination, the ministers will not dare to speak too much. He relies on his own ability. But if the emperor grants permission to enter the court as an official, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public."

Rong Hong's attitude was very good, as if he was not the one who asked for the emperor's grace, "Don't get excited, my lords, I just proposed to my father, my father is always willing to listen to the opinions of your lords. It's not suitable, it's okay to discuss it later. It's just that if Qi Xiang goes to take the imperial examination to become an official, you adults can't object anymore."

Rong Hong's words almost alienated the relationship between Qi Xiang and the officials. Even if Qi Xiang didn't care, it's hard to say what these ministers thought.After all, if Qi Xiang passed the exam, it means that he still has knowledge and ability, and these ministers who blocked his way must feel uneasy, and they definitely don't want to see Qi Xiang promoted, fearing that Qi Xiang will retaliate for what happened today.

Rong Hong is so provocative in front of Bai Junyu, can Bai Junyu turn a blind eye?But how to say this, and how to measure the middle, he has to be careful, "Your Majesty, my lords, Qi Xiang's health is really bad, and at this time of year, he can't even eat raw or cold food at all, so even if he has a heart, I'm afraid It is also powerless. The emperor's praise, Qi Xiang must thank the emperor for his kindness. If the emperor has a need, it is all right to summon him like before. I believe he will do his best to share the worries of the emperor. As for the worries of the adults, Qi Xiang is a transparent person , and often introspect, if you really want to be an official and your body permits, you will definitely take the road of imperial examinations to serve the country, and it is also for yourself

His talents and learning are justified.All the prerequisites are that Qi Xiang is in good health, so the proposal of the eldest prince and the worries of the adults are really too early. "

Bai Junyu's words made the ministers present also heave a sigh of relief, and at the same time, they came back to reflect on whether they were too excited.

The emperor nodded in relief. Indeed, whether Qi Xiang entered the court would not affect his summoning, and he had no intention of confronting the courtiers. Bai Junyu also gave him a step down.

As for the eldest prince, he still had a smile on his face, but his eyes had already cooled down.

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