Chapter 39

On this day, Pei Youan had just experienced a life-and-death assassination on his way to the capital. At the same time, the Zhen family in Quanzhou, thousands of miles away, was destined to be an unusual day.

In the past year, many places sandwiched between Yunnan and the capital have been affected by the war. Large areas of farmland have been deserted, and people have fled. Although Quanzhou is still the same as it used to be, it is not completely unaffected. The court naturally set its sights on a wealthy place like Quanzhou. The government forcibly increased taxes three times in a year. In addition, the top had to be stripped layer by layer. Finally, it was apportioned to each household, the big family and the small family. Households were not spared, the people complained constantly, and the tax officials complained a lot. The people used to have the mentality of watching the lively, hotly discussing which of the emperor and the third prince can win, but later, it became hoped that the battle would be over soon, no matter which one wins, let them restore their former peace Days, that's what matters.

In the afternoon, Zhang Da heard the concierge yelling all the way to report, saying that someone from the government was coming, and thought it was coming to apportion again. In the past year, such a person has come to the door I don’t know how many times, and he cursed inwardly, frowning and shouting. : "Come here, shout what you want, and startle the old lady." Unexpectedly, the concierge said again: "It was the governor Gao who came in person! He said that he had obeyed the imperial edict!"

Zhang Day was stunned: "What did you say? Lord Governor? Imperial decree?"

The concierge nodded quickly: "It was said that it came by the emperor's imperial decree, and I asked Quan to come out and receive the decree!"

The governor of the province is a high priority on weekdays. Although Zhang Da is often in and out of the government, it is limited to the Quanzhou prefecture at most. Have you ever seen a top local such as the governor? Hearing that he actually came down to his house in person today, he couldn't help being surprised.

Some time ago, there were rumors in Quanzhou that the third prince was about to conquer the capital. Zhang Dagang wanted to ask which emperor it was.

The doorman shook his head. Zhang Da immediately called someone to inform the old lady and the others. He took care of his clothes and quickly greeted them. When he arrived at the door, he saw a row of dozens of official sedan chairs parked there. In the middle was a large square sedan, and on the side were officials from the state government. , a group of yamen officers carried the guards of honor in a dignified manner, attracting many passers-by to watch, not knowing whether it was a blessing or a curse, suppressing the anxiety in their hearts, they ran out and knelt under the steps: "I don't know if the tall and the other adults are coming. Welcome, sin deserves death!"

The curtain of the official sedan chair was lifted, and Gao Huaiyuan, the governor of Fujian Province, showed a face with a smile on his face: "No ceremony.

...

Mrs. Hu brought Zhen Yaoting out soon, and respectfully introduced Gao Huaiyuan and his party into the lobby.

Gao Huaiyuan said: "King Shun'an has gone against the law, and now he has been put to death. I have ascended the throne to the new emperor. Vientiane has been renewed, and a special list has been issued to the world to appease the hearts of the people. , I have another imperial decree here, and the Zhen family listens to the decree."

The old lady hurriedly led the family to kneel and listened to Gao Huaiyuan read it in cadence. The general idea is that the Zhen family has been a prominent local family from generation to generation, built roads and bridges over the years, built roads and built warehouses for disaster relief, and did good deeds. The daughter immediately went to Beijing to face the saint. The rest of the rewards will be issued in the future.

After Gao Huaiyuan finished reading, the Zhen family was stunned, and then they were overjoyed. Madam Hu recovered her senses and bowed to express her gratitude.

After Pei You'an left, the old lady has been paying attention to the news outside for more than a year. A few days ago, she finally heard that King Yunzhong was about to enter the capital. She was relieved and began to count the days in her heart, while waiting for Pei. The father and son came to propose marriage, but he was worried that if he became rich and powerful, he regretted his original promise, and did not want to wait until the Pei family sent someone to propose marriage, but waited for an imperial decree like today.

Even though she has been shrewd for a lifetime, the old lady Hu at this moment is still not sure what this imperial decree from the new emperor means. It was vaguely known that some noble person in the new dynasty had fallen in love with his granddaughter. As for who the noble person is and how he found out about his granddaughter, he is really at a loss.

The old lady suppressed her doubts and thanked Gao Huaiyuan. She was puzzled and asked why the imperial decree specified that her granddaughter should be brought to Beijing.

As the old and new imperial courts are replaced, Gao Huaiyuan, a local high-ranking official, is particularly sensitive at such times. He smelled the meaning behind this imperial decree, so he went to Zhen's house in Quanzhou to convey the imperial decree in person, and after listening to the question from the old lady of the Zhen family, he changed his official tone and said with a smile: "Old lady, don't be polite, in front of this official, go to There is no need to be more polite later. According to this official's opinion, the new dynasty and the new spirit should be the emperor who also knew the name of your mansion's great virtue, and this is the only way to reward him. People can help one or two.”

The old lady agreed, and Gao Huaiyuan said: "The imperial decree is very clear that the girls of your house should enter the capital immediately, and this matter cannot be delayed. This official is about to enter the capital to pay homage to the emperor, and when the preparation of your house is ready, this official can bring someone. On the road together, we will take good care of you on the road, the old lady can rest assured."

Thanks a lot, the old lady sent her away, and immediately called Meng Shi and Jiafu to tell the story again.

Confused, Mrs Meng was talking with the old lady there, expecting that it was Emperor Pei You'an who asked for grace in front of him. Jia Fu was by the side, without saying a word, but an intuition developed in her heart.

It could never be Pei You'an.

Even if he wants to marry her, with his character, it is impossible to do such a inspiring thing.

It must be related to Xiao Yintang.

As she knew, King Yunzhong finally became emperor, and Xiao Yintang was under one person and over ten thousand people, and, obviously, even though it had been more than a year, he still refused to Let go of her.

This is a proof.

In the past, every time she thought of Xiao Yintang, Jiafu would feel fear and disgust from the bottom of her heart, but now, maybe she is numb, or maybe she doesn't care, even in the face of such bad news that is a bolt from the blue for her, she actually didn't think it was too scary, just quietly listened to grandmother and mother's discussions. Naturally, the result of the discussion was to let her go to Beijing with the governor and wait for the news.

Other than that, what else could it be?

The person who gave this order was the new emperor.

The next day, under the advice of the old lady, Jiafu, accompanied by her mother Meng Shi and Zhang Da, followed the governor Gao Huaiyuan and set foot on the road to Beijing.

When Quanzhou was left behind again, Jiafu knew that the peaceful life that had been stolen in the past year would probably leave her and never return.

On this day, one year and twenty-three days have passed since Pei You'an left last time.

...

In order to arrive at the capital before the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, Gao Huaiyuan had been rushing all the way as if his ass was on fire. He finally arrived in the evening of this day. There were still three days before the enthronement ceremony. Before tomorrow, he immediately went to the Ministry of Rites to report the matter of the Zhen family, while Jiafu went home with her mother.

Before they left the capital last time when they failed to discuss their relationship, an old servant and couple were kept in the house of the Zhen family. Over the past year, the old couple has taken care of the house very well. In those few days, the old couple closed the door tightly without any loss, and then the chaos was over, and at first they didn't dare to open the door. Until the last few days, heard people say that the emperor has changed, except for the night curfew in Beijing. , It was still bustling during the day, and it looked the same as before, and was relieved. didn't expect the master to come today, and was happy to welcome him in. After some resettlement, it was dark, and the next morning, the palace came People, the leader is a tender-faced eunuch, Jiafu recognizes him, the eunuch's name is Cui Yinshui, the godson of the great eunuch Li Yuangui, he is very capable, good at figuring out his thoughts, and a bit snobbish, but he is loyal to Li Yuangui and Xiao Lie. Geng Geng, in the years when Xiao Lie was the emperor in the previous life, he was very popular in the palace, but later, Xiao Lie died of a sudden illness when he was less than fifty years old. The eunuch seemed to hate it very much, and it didn't take long for him to find an excuse and beat him to death.

Today's Cui Yinshui, who has just stepped into the palace with his godfather, has a bright future. How can he know his future destiny? At this moment, he is smiling, and the little eunuch who was ordered to follow him raises the reward, and faces the kneeling Meng Shi and Jia Fu. , I read an imperial decree, saying how good the daughter of the Zhen family is. She has the style of Banji Xie Ting in ancient times. When the prince is crowned as the prince, she will be made a concubine, and she will be encouraged. Finally, let her stay in Beijing temporarily and wait. Subsequent registration.

In his heart, Mrs. Meng had long believed that Pei You'an was her son-in-law, and she only wanted to marry her daughter to him. Although she was worried, she still had some hope that the emperor would point her daughter to Pei You'an. Hearing such news early in the morning, he was immediately there, motionless.

Cui Yinshui thought she was overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Mengshi, why don't you lead your daughter to accept the decree to thank you? Your mansion will soon have a noble person, which is gratifying."

Mrs. Meng was speechless and looked at her daughter, but saw Jiafu saying, "Thank you, Eunuch Cui, for your troubles, Eunuch Cui, can you speak on behalf of the people's daughter. The people's daughter knows that she has low qualifications. How dare you humiliate the royal family? I beg the emperor to take it back."

Cui Yinshui was stunned for a moment, a little disbelieving his ears: "This is a great gift. You don't want to?"

Jiafu said: "Eunuch Cui, it's not because I don't want it, but because I don't have merit and I don't dare to accept the salary, not to mention such a great gift. The girl is bold, and I beg Eunuch to tell me, what kind of virtue and what ability the girl is, and how can she be like this? Kindness?"

Cui Yinshui glanced at her.

When the new emperor was busy, why did he issue such an imperial decree? Cui Yinshui naturally knew it, thinking that it was because the prince fell in love with the daughter of the Zhen family and went to the new emperor to ask for it. Before he came, he was still a little curious, and he didn't know what kind of beauty she would be, but when he first saw it, she really had dark eyebrows and green temples, and a beautiful and beautiful face. Words are not good. Hearing the tone of the daughter of the Zhen family, she didn't want to, and she didn't know whether she was really asking for nothing or pretending to be evasive. She couldn't decide for a while, so she lowered her face: "Miss Zhen, do you know what you are talking about? If you don't answer, then Anti-Ji, have you figured it out?"

Meng Shi's heart skipped a beat, and she was about to stop Jiafu when she saw her kowtow: "How dare the people of the country resist the decree. I just said it before, but I know that I am vulgar, and I can't afford to be such a kind of royal family, so I implore the emperor to take it back. ."

Cui Yinshui was stunned, thought for a moment, and said, "That's it. I'll see it again. If you insist, I'll go back and send a message, see for yourself..."

He wanted to say, "Look at your own good fortune", but he swallowed it back, and didn't even drink the tea. He turned around and led someone out the door.

As soon as the eunuchs left, Mrs. Meng led Jiafu into the house immediately, closed the door and said, "Afu, don't be afraid! When the eldest son came last time, he gave your grandmother a jade pendant, saying it was left by his father before he died. For him, he left it as a token for your grandmother. Before going out this time, your grandmother gave me the jade pendant and said that if it was no longer needed, she would ask me to find a chance to return it to the eldest son. Although the others don't know where they are now , but with this token, my mother will go to Mrs. Pei and ask Mrs. Pei to come forward, maybe I can stop this."

Meng Shi was flustered, turned around and was about to go out, but was stopped by Jia Fu, shook his head and said, "Mother, the eldest son was just talking about it that day. Now that so long has passed, maybe people have changed their minds. Don't involve the Pei family in this matter. , so as not to drag people into the water. I'm not afraid. Everything has been said, let's see. I just don't want to marry his son, could it be that he wants my head?"

Meng shi looked at her daughter, saw her calm expression, and was stunned. She tossed and turned without sleep that night. The next day, another person came to the palace. This time, in addition to the Cui Yinshui who came yesterday, there was also a middle-aged eunuch with a kind face. Meng He heard that he was the eunuch in front of Jin Shang, surnamed Li, and hurriedly greeted him with respect. Seeing that his attitude was quite friendly, he didn't seem to be here to find fault, so he calmed down a little.

Li Yuangui asked Mrs. Meng to call Jiafu, and she was the only one left. He looked at her for a moment, and said, "My son told me everything about you. I was afraid that you were ignorant, so you didn't report it first. Come over and ask yourself. What's the matter with you? You are so bold! How many people can't ask for such a good thing! How dare you be disobedient?"

Jiafu knew that the big eunuch in front of Xiao Lie had an upright temperament and was not a vicious person, so she calmed down and said, "Thank you Eunuch Li for your sympathy, and the people are very grateful. In the emperor's decree, there was no mention of why. To bestow such a great favor, Minnu thought about it and remembered one thing. Once upon a time, Jinyiwei came to Quanzhou, blocked the whole city, arrested people everywhere, broke into a noble person in my house, and finally I was arrested. The man took the carriage and covered him out of the city. The situation at that time was extremely dangerous, and I still remember it vividly. The girl dared to guess that the noble man of that day might be the current prince."

Li Yuangui was silent.

Jiafu knelt down to him: "Eunuch Li, when the emperor was hoeing a traitor, I also heard in Quanzhou that the emperor's army passed along the way, and he did nothing to the people, love the people like a son, and everyone in the world praised them. Admiration. The girl also said to Eunuch Cui yesterday that she knew that she was mean and would never dare to insult the royal family. If the emperor had given me a generous favor to my Zhen family for that matter, I beg Eunuch Li, can you speak on behalf of the girl? I beg the emperor to give me another grace?"

After Jiafu finished speaking, she touched the ground with her forehead, unable to kneel for a long time.

Li Yuangui stared at Jiafu, his eyes gradually showed a hint of surprise, he pondered for a moment, and said, "Forget it, I thought you were ignorant and talk nonsense, so I came over to take a look, and you know that, since that's the case, go back. Let me tell you, as for whether it will be successful or not, it depends on the emperor's intentions."

...

When Li Yuangui returned to the palace, Xiao Lie was still busy. In the evening, when he was resting for a while, he finally remembered and asked, "Can you see that girl from the Zhen family for me? Although the Zhen family had rescued Yintang that day. She has merit, but since she is a concubine, her talents must be passable."

Li Yuangui said: "Report to the emperor, the Zhen family's daughter is not a problem, but there is one thing, I don't know if it should be said or not."

Xiao Lie flipped through the book in his hand: "Tell me."

Li Yuangui said: "The servant went to see the girl and heard what she said. The servant will learn from the emperor." Then he repeated what Jiafu told him, word for word.

Xiao Lie was still flipping through the book at first, but gradually stopped, with a slightly unhappy expression on his face, and snorted: "So, she is not happy with this arrangement?"

Li Yuangui said: "I don't know what the servants are, so I turned the words to the emperor. The emperor is wise, just look at it and do it. It's just a girl from a merchant, how much knowledge can you have?"

Xiao Lie pondered for a moment, then said lightly: "Forget it, she doesn't want to, it's hard to put on a high hat for me, I can't force it, you can go back tomorrow, give me something else, and send the person back."

Li Yuangui smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The servants know."

"emperor!"

A woman's voice suddenly came from the entrance of the hall, Li Yuangui raised his head, saw Princess Zhou dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, and was coming, and a palace maid behind her, holding food in her hand, smiled, greeted him, and called "Princess".

Princess Zhou came to Xiao Lie's side, stood still, and glanced at Li Yuangui. Li Yuangui hurriedly backed out. The palace maid put down the bowl and left.

There was no one in front of her, and Concubine Zhou said softly, "Your Majesty, you didn't go back to your bedroom last night. I heard from Yintang that it's dawn when you are reviewing the book. I'm not at ease. I'll come and see you. Take a break and have something to eat. Are you alright?" He walked behind him and slowly rubbed his shoulders for him.

Xiao Lie said with a smile: "Take your worries. The new dynasty is just set, and things will inevitably be more. After this period of work is over, I will be empty. You should go back to the bedroom first, later, after reading the book today, I will go back."

Concubine Zhou slowly let out a breath, withdrew her hand, and said with a smile, "Then I'll go back first. Your Majesty, don't be too hard on yourself."

Xiao Lie nodded with a smile and watched her figure gradually leave. When she bowed her head, Concubine Zhou suddenly stopped again and turned around and said, "Your Majesty, I didn't eavesdrop on purpose, but just came to the front of the hall and overheard a few words unintentionally. The daughter of the Zhen family is really ignorant of flattery. Relying on sending Yintang out of the city that day, she doesn't take you in the eyes of the emperor! How can the emperor still indulge her?"

Xiao Lie raised his head, glanced at her, and said lightly, "Then what should be done in your opinion?"

Concubine Zhou said: "She is disobeying the decree! I don't have to make her my son's concubine, she doesn't do it, and many people want to do it. Put her in the clothes-washing bureau, and I'll see you in a few days. I don't believe she dares to be so daring."

Xiao Lie frowned: "That's it, the daughter of the people, she doesn't know the rules, so why bother with her. That's all for this matter, you go on."

"emperor!"

Concubine Zhou was still waiting to speak, when Li Yuangui hurried in, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Madam Pei from Duke Wei's Mansion is here, asking to see your Majesty."

Xiao Lie was taken aback and said, "Where is the old lady?"

"Still waiting at the gate of Huayang Palace."

Xiao Lie immediately wrote and stood up: "Quick, welcome her old man in!"