The weather is getting hotter and hotter. This year, because of the drastic changes in Capital City, Yuan Jing did not move to the summer palace, nor did the harem.

Well, in the current harem, apart from Empress Gao, who is avoiding the Buddhist temple for quiet cultivation, only Wu Jie is left.

The deceased Concubine Lijin was solemnly buried in the imperial mausoleum with the etiquette of an imperial concubine, and was given the posthumous title of Zhenyi. Such a beautiful word praises the unyielding character of this imperial concubine.

After the burial of the imperial concubine Zhenyi, the courtiers from the Ministry of Rituals asked to re-open the draft. Although the season for the draft has passed, the emperor's harem is empty, so you can choose a few famous ladies to serve in the palace.

The memorial was rejected by Yuan Jing.

The Ministry of Rites didn't push too much, after all, the emperor already had an "emperor's eldest son" under his knees, so there was no need to be too anxious.

"Wait until I have my own child, let Qing'er "die of illness" and send him back to Hong's house." Yuan Jing sat on the corridor of the back hall of Changqiu Pavilion, teasing the cat while talking.

Qing'er is the name of the eldest son of the emperor.

"Actually, I have seen this child is lively and cute these days, and it would be very good to adopt him in the future. Or just stay in the palace and not return it to the Hong family."

Isn't this guy worried about royal blood disorders? Wu Jie glanced at him.

"Being kind is not as good as nourishing kindness. Compared with such rigid things as blood, I hope that the talented people I have raised by myself will inherit this position." Yuan Jing said as a matter of course.

Turning to look at Wu Jie, she said with a smile, "However, if we have children in the future, they will definitely be smarter, and I will definitely be biased. Thinking about it this way, let's return Qing'er to the Hong family."

What do we mean we have a child. Wu Jie's eyebrows twitched, and she automatically blocked the words.

These days, Yuan Jing was away from court, and came to Wu Jie's side whenever she was free.

Playing with the cat, talking gossip, and sometimes staying here for dinner, or going to the study to deal with government affairs for a while.

He never really forced her, never even brought up the subject.

Wu Jie was a little nervous at first, but soon relaxed. Everything is no different from the days when Yuan Jing hid in her apse a few months ago. Except not having to wear those troublesome women's clothes.

The atmosphere between the two is harmonious and leisurely. From her previous life, Wu Jie knew that Yuan Jing was an extremely intelligent and talented person, but only in this life did she realize that this guy's talent lies not only in the majors of civil, military, and government affairs, but also in the skills of piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as all kinds of skills. He has dabbled in all kinds of miscellaneous classics. Sometimes the two can talk about far-reaching topics, from ancient legends to Nanman sacrifices, to various customs and anecdotes.

When coming here, Yuan Jing often brings gifts, sometimes a painting by a famous artist just received, sometimes a newly released popular novel, or popular snacks in Capital City stores.

"It's a pity that these days are too busy. When we are free, we will go shopping and sneak out through the tunnel. We don't need to bring so many guards." Yuan Jing said happily.

Sometimes Wu Jie can't help but think that such a leisurely and happy life doesn't seem bad.

After feeding the cat, Yuan Jing picked up the fan left by the corridor, and slapped Wu Jie vigorously.

"It's still too hot in Capital City this season. The day after tomorrow is the Hungry Ghost Festival, and I happen to be going to the imperial mausoleum to worship. Let's go to the Summer Palace to stay for a few days."

"The Emperor's Capital City is busy with business, so why don't you come and stay?"

"Anyway, no matter how busy you are, it's impossible to really finish the work." Yuan Jing smiled, "I ordered people to clean it up there, so there won't be any poisonous insects or snakes."

Wu Jie's bitter summer, especially the hot and dry summer in Capital City in the Northern Wei Dynasty, made people anxious. It's extremely hot this year.

She simply hid in the study every day and lived by the iceberg. Come out every day after sunset.

As a result, a few days ago, due to excessive use of ice, she started to have a fever. The imperial doctor saw her and said that she was damp and cold, and it was not suitable to use ice anymore.

Infecting the wind and cold in the summer is not a comfortable experience, and can no longer use ice, Wu Jie really wants to cry.

When Yuan Jing said that she was going to the summer palace, she was also considerate of her.

This year's Hungry Ghost Festival is extra grand, because both the Empress Dowager and the imperial concubine Zhenyi had just died of illness, and the emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites to carefully prepare the ceremony. Bring a group of civil and military courtiers to worship and mourn.

On such a solemn occasion, Empress Gao still did not show up. Everyone in the court knew that Empress Gao was able to save her life and avoid living in a Buddhist temple, which was already unparalleled grace from the emperor.

But on the altar, the emperor blatantly took the hand of Concubine Wu, who had just been promoted, and let her stand in the position of queen, which made many old officials dumbfounded.

On the second day after the Hungry Ghost Festival, several veteran officials who put etiquette and rules more important than fate soon expressed their protest. The emperor didn't pay attention to it, and all of them stayed in the middle.

Wu Jie was completely unaware of any disputes in the previous dynasty. just hope this hot weather will pass soon.

After worshiping the imperial mausoleum. Yu Jia brought his troops to the Summer Palace.

Feeling the cool breeze in the palace, Wu Jie finally felt that she had come alive.

"Sure enough, it's still more comfortable here. Is your cough better?" After a busy day of government affairs, Yuan Jing came to Wu Jie's place as usual.

"This year's Summer Palace has been remodeled in several places. The Bibo Pool on the east side of the bedroom is the coolest. You can go to play after you recover from illness."

The two chatted a few words, and suddenly Wan Chongji hurried over and saluted Yuan Jing: "Your Majesty..."

Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Wu Jie guessed that there was urgent government affairs.

Yuan Jing quickly got up and left. Wu Jie felt relieved and went back to the water pavilion to rest on her own.

The Qingfeng Palace where she lives is also one of the newly built palaces. The Yu River flows over the high bridge above and washes down along the top of the attic. The whole hall is cool and refreshing, extremely comfortable.

That night, Wu Jie was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly awakened by a loud noise.

She sat up and asked in a daze, "what's the matter?"

The maid on duty came in and reported back: "It's the main hall in front. I don't know what happened. It seems that there are more guards."

Wu Jie retreated from the palace ladies, put on her clothes and came to the window, looking into the distance, under the dark night, the front hall was surrounded by lights and noisy with people's voices.

The distance between them is very far, and it is not clear what happened. Could it be another assassin? Did Yuan Jing become acquainted with an assassin?

After watching for a while, her voice gradually calmed down, Wu Jie yawned, seeing that she had nothing to do, she was about to go back to sleep.

Just about to turn around, suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the water outside the window swaying, floating with a strange luster.

Looking out curiously, saw a huge black figure breaking through the water, like a black fish, jumping towards this side.

Wu Jie couldn't help screaming, the "black fish" had already arrived at the window, and whispered: "Miss Zifen, it's me!"

The shout that rushed to the throat was forced to be suppressed, Wu Jie took a step back, and only then did she see clearly that the Hei Yu who rushed to the window was alone.

He was dressed in black, with a bright luster all over his body, with a strange texture, like fish skin, covering most of his head and face.

In this palace, there is only one person who can call herself Miss Purple Anise.

Gao Zimo lifted the mask on his face, and smiled wryly: "I scared you, I was able to lurk all the way here only because of this special water tank."

"Why did you come here?" Wu Jie turned sideways and let him roll into the house.

Gao Zimo entered the room, turned around and closed the window, he took two steps back and leaned against the edge of the table.

"Are you injured?" Wu Jie asked hastily.

Gao Zimo shook his head, showing a bleak smile: "It's just that I can't hold my breath underwater for too long, and I can't hold it."

His face was pale and his voice was hoarse, worse than being injured.

Wu Jie quickly poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him.

Gao Zimo took two sips before he gradually recovered, and said in a low voice, "I want to leave Capital City and return to the northwest. So I escaped tonight."

Wu Jie's heart trembled slightly. After the defeat of General Gao, Yuan Jing did not kill them all. Gao Zimo was even allowed to inherit the title of Duke of Yu, but he was kept under house arrest in the mansion of Duke Yu.

She hadn't seen the boy for several months and didn't know how he was doing.

Before Wu Jie could say anything, footsteps came from outside the door. It was the maid on duty going and coming back, asking in a low voice, "Ma'am, do you hear any noise?"

Gao Zimo on the opposite side suddenly became nervous.

Wu Jie lowered her eyes and pretended to be confused: "Well, what..."

The palace maid heard that Wu Jie seemed to be sleeping soundly, so she didn't enter to disturb her, and quietly retreated.

Gao Zimo listened attentively and was relieved to be sure that there was no one outside.

Wu Jie asked, "Why take the risk?"

"Adventure?" Gao Zimo shook his head, showing a sarcastic smile, "If I stay in Capital City, how many years can I live?"

Wu Jie was dumbfounded. In all fairness, she believed that Yuan Jing would not harm Gao Zimo's life for the time being. In order to stabilize the ruling and opposition parties, he obviously focused on appeasing the courtiers left behind by the Gao family. But after a long time, after he has completely gathered this group of people, Gao Zimo's survival depends entirely on his will.

Maybe Yuan Jing will be magnanimous and let Gao Zimo continue to live in peace, maybe he will kill all of them so that there will be no future troubles...

Gao Zimo clenched the cup in his hand, he didn't want to entrust his life and death on other people's thoughts.

Since returning to the court, the emperor has used thunderous means to help with grace and power, and quickly won the hearts of many courtiers from the Gao clan.

He is the emperor, a legitimate lord, and Yuan Jing is not a faint lord, on the contrary, he is a charming person, with outstanding martial arts and martial arts, and some people will not be convinced.

"If you don't leave now, it will be even more difficult to leave in the future." The young man whispered.

"I just hate."

Wu Jie lowered her head, remembering that more than half a year ago, the Gao family had just plotted rebellion, Gao Tanyu entered the court and took power, and met Gao Zimo in the woods outside the Changqiu Pavilion. The young man was full of confusion and guilt, and his mood was complicated.

In her view, this kind of imperial court power struggle is basically life and death, and there is no justice or evil.

If General Gao succeeds in rebelling against him, Yuan Jing can only die.

And General Gao should have revealed his intentions of treason before, so Yuan Jing made such a careful layout.

Maybe it was because the disapproval on her face was too obvious, Gao Zimo understood what she meant.

"It's not that I hate him for pressing forward every step of the way to plot against his father. This is a matter of winning and losing. It's fine if you lose. It's because my father is not as skilled as others and is too ambitious." Gao Zimo bit his lip, Whispered.

Wu Jie was surprised, so where did his hatred come from?

"Actually, father was still hesitating whether he should take this path. After all, he has been a loyal lord for many years. It was the news from the people from South Chen that made father finally make up his mind."

"Do you know, Miss Zifen, when you and I met for the first time in East Vietnam, those assassins who tried to assassinate me were not sent by South Chen, but people from the Great Wei court."

There was a bang in Wu Jie's head, and she could hardly believe her ears.

Gao Zimo's eyes were full of hatred: "Unexpected, right? That is, when you first rescued me, Miss Zifen, the people you met who wished to drive me to death were arranged by Prince Zi Yuan Zhe."

"Father has been fighting for many years, and several of my elder brothers died for their Yuan Clan's world. He actually wanted to kill me. What's the reason for wanting the Gao family to have no descendants?"

Gao Zimo laughed in a low voice, full of sarcasm: "Probably thinking that I'm dead. From then on, the Lingbei Gao family has no heirs. Father also has no descendants. His old man is so big in the world, who will he leave for him?" ?”

Wu Jie's lips trembled. Although her mind was in a mess, she managed to mobilize her thoughts and asked a question, "But, even if you are killed, General Gao is still in his destiny, maybe in the future..."

Gao Tanyu is strong in martial arts, a fierce fighter on the battlefield, and now he is only in his early fifties, so it is not a problem to have a few concubines and have a few sons. Why did Yuan Zhe and the others think that killing Gao Zimo would be a one-off once and for all?

Gao Zimo let out a low laugh, "During a great battle ten years ago, my father was shot by a stray arrow while chasing the enemy soldiers and injured his waist and kidneys. From now on... it is impossible to have any heirs."

"This matter is extremely secretive, and my father has been looking for a good doctor over the years. The old injuries from that year not only hurt his heirs, but also made my father's health worse."

"Before going to East Vietnam as an envoy, Gao Hongyuan also paid a special visit to Master Guangxin of White Deer Temple, and heard that he has attained supernatural powers in the way of medicine. Please Master Guangxin prescribe some nourishing prescriptions."

"Probably because of this operation, Yuan Zhe spied on the inside story, speculated about my father's physical condition, and made a killing intent on me. Not only to make the Gao family extinct, but also the medicine used for my father's body, Master Guangxin specially told me However, you cannot be mentally stimulated."

Gao Zimo said in a low voice: "Originally, we didn't know. South Chen found out that at this time, Mrs. Yuheng went to Beijing in person, contacted my father's people, and revealed the news. My father finally decided to rebel. He is not benevolent and I am not righteous."