When I arrived at the imperial study, the outside room was empty, and when I looked into the inner room through the bead curtain, I saw Pei Yuanhao sitting alone inside, in a daze at the light smoke rising from the cup of hot tea in front of him.

I walked in and saluted him.

He looked back at me, "You're here." ”

I looked around: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"He's gone to Jixian Palace. He came back this time without dying, and I told him to salute his teacher. ”

"Oh"

As he spoke, he turned back to Gonggong Yu and said, "How long has the prince been?"

Father-in-law Yu hurriedly said, "It's been half an hour." ”

He nodded slightly, then pointed to the opposite side of himself, motioning for me to sit down, at this time I was not polite to him, and sat down cautiously, and Father-in-law Yu immediately brought me hot tea.

I think he and I were both cold at this time, but the two of us looked at the light smoke rising from the hot tea, but they didn't drink it, just watched quietly. I don't know how long it took, he finally spoke, and said softly: "What do you think about this matter?"

I was silent for a long time, and then said, "The prince is safe, which is a blessing in misfortune. ”

“”

"But Lord Wu fell into the water, which is a great misfortune in luck. ”

“”

Hearing this, his brows furrowed deeply, and his face was filled with unconcealed sorrow and anger, and I asked in a low voice: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated this time, what happened to the assassin, did the assassin catch him?"

He said, "I have already sent someone to investigate this matter. ”

With that, he shut his mouth.

I looked at him and was a little stunned.

According to his temper, whoever moves him, he will inevitably be furious, even if he doesn't make a bloody storm, but the battle is absolutely indispensable, but this time, the prince came back from Henan so thrillingly, and a court official fell into the Yellow River and his life and death were uncertain, but he was very calm, and ended the matter with a sentence.

Whether he had already affirmed who the assassin was, what the purpose of the assassination was, or whether this matter was no longer on his radar

Sensing my puzzled eyes, he also glanced at me, and then said, "From today onwards, there will be chaos in the household." ”

My heart chuckled, and I looked up at him.

At this time, there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Xiao Fuzi ran in from outside and whispered: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has returned from Jixian Palace." ”

Pei Yuanhao was in good spirits, and immediately raised his head, and I hurriedly turned around, and sure enough, I saw Nian Shen walking in briskly from outside, and behind him, there was a familiar figure.

Chabixing

I was a little surprised, but I didn't seem to be surprised, Nian Shen took him to stand outside the bead curtain, and saluted Pei Yuanhao and me: "Erchen to meet his father and the emperor, and to meet Aunt Qing." ”

"The grass people meet the emperor's majesty and meet the eldest lady. ”

I hurriedly got up, Pei Yuanhao made a gesture to them, and then Father-in-law Yu opened the bead curtain, and the two walked in. Zha Bixing is still the same as before, dressed in cloth, but looks very strong and straight, looking at me, and smiling at me, I am really not in the mood to joke with people at this time, only nodded lightly.

Pei Yuanhao looked behind them: "What about the Taibao?"

Nian Shen heard this, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the teacher has committed his old illness again today, and he really can't get over, and his son can't bear to let him suffer anymore, so let him stay in Jixian Palace." ”

Pei Yuanhao's brows furrowed.

However, he was not too angry, or that he couldn't put too much energy into getting angry at this time, but I also knew that of course he hoped that Fu Badai could come forward at this time, after all, there are fewer and fewer people around him at the moment, and those who can seek the country have not been able to seek things, and those who can have done things have not been able to seek the country, Fu Badai is an all-rounder who can seek the country and can also seek things, but he is more and more inclined to dormant during this period, and now that Wu Yanqiu is gone, he will inevitably make the emperor anxious.

But fortunately

I looked up at Zabixing behind the prince.

And him.

Pei Yuanhao also glanced at him, and said coldly: "Your teacher's illness has not been better in the past two years, is it not better?"

Zha Bixing laughed and said: "The teacher's illness is a heart disease, and when the heart knot is untied, the natural illness will be cured." ”

Pei Yuanhao said: "What is his heart knot?"

This time, he didn't speak, just rolled his amber eyes, looked at me, and then laughed dryly.

He had just come out of the academy not long ago, and with a student spirit, no one dared to talk to the emperor like this, and he would cut himself off in the middle of speaking. Pei Yuanhao glanced at him, and then followed his gaze to me, his face became more and more unsightly, and he was about to have a seizure, and Zha Bixing immediately said seriously: "The world is peaceful."

“”

For a while, Pei Yuanhao's anger was choked in his throat, and Nian Shen and I glanced at each other, both of whom were a little crying and laughing.

After a while, he glared at Zha Bixing.

Zha Bixing still had a hippie smile, but the prince next to him said respectfully: "By the way, father, when we came over, the teacher said a word to Erchen. ”

Pei Yuanhao immediately looked at him: "What words?"

"The teacher said that life is not peaceful, and money must be used urgently. ”

Several of the people present paused.

The days are not peaceful, and the money must be used urgently

This sentence is often said by ordinary people, with a bit of earthiness, for Pei Yuanhao and Nian Shen, who are proud of the heavenly family in the heavenly family, they will probably not pay attention to the meaning of this sentence for the rest of their lives.

However, Fu Badai asked the prince to bring such a sentence to the emperor.

The days are not peaceful, which naturally refers to the current situation that Pei Yuanhao is facing, Luo Shi in the grassland, Pei Yuanxiu in the south of the Yangtze River, and those who are about to move, as well as those lurking in the shadows, he can't see the killing opportunity.

Money matters

This sentence made me a little stunned for a while, but suddenly I remembered that just now, Pei Yuanhao said a sentence that from today onwards, the household will be in chaos.

At the beginning of each year, the household department has to carry out two huge tasks, one is to check the use of each ministry in the previous year, and the flow of money; and the other is to discuss the allocation of silver money in each ministry in the new year to support the expenses and operations of the imperial court in a year.

This is the most important work of every household secretary, the balance of the state, the transfer of hundreds of officials, and even the operation of every yamen, the promotion and transfer of every official, are all within the scope of their accounting.

I know that this year, because he was going to accompany the prince to Henan to supervise the embankment of the Yellow River, Wu Yanqiu completed the accounting of the previous year's various departments in advance, and he has not yet started the accounting for the new year, and he is also preparing to return to Beijing after this inspection is completed.

And now

I raised my head and looked at Pei Yuanhao.

He sat there without moving, frowning slightly, and a pair of eyes kept looking at the cup of tea in front of him that was no longer steaming, but looking at his expression, it seemed that he had seen a deeper place from the tea Obviously, Fu Badai's words have a heavy meaning.

After a long time, he raised his head and looked at me: "It seems that I am going to grasp the matter of the household department." ”

I said softly, "Your Majesty." ”

From that moment on, several of us did not leave the study.

Because since Pei Yuanhao finished saying that, the ministers' recitals have been sent to the imperial study in a steady stream, and the content is nothing more than the candidates for the new household book.

To say that they did this, it is indeed true, Wu Yanqiu fell into the Yellow River, life and death are uncertain, but whether life or death, the work of the household department cannot be chaotic, and the various operations of the imperial court after the beginning of spring cannot be interrupted, so there must be a new household department Shangshu to take over his work, even if this person is not promoted now, he must transfer people from the household department or other ministries to temporarily replace this work.

Nian Shen opened the folds and began to read the names of the people recommended above one by one.

Zheng Chai of the head of the household

The royal history is in the same court

Zheng Chai of the head of the household

Zheng Chai of the head of the household

The royal history is in the same court

The Department of Economic Affairs washes the horse and the high heavenly chapter

Seeing that it was getting late outside, Yu Gonggong held a candle and lit several candlesticks in the imperial study.

Xiaofuzi is still hugging the outside folds inside, and the prince is still continuing to read, the more I listen, the more the stone in my heart is pressed, and I can also feel the coldness exuded by Pei Yuanhao, who is sitting on the side, These twists and turns are all recommended by the household servant Zheng Chai, although Shangshu has an accident, let the waiter who has been cooperating with Shangshu temporarily take his place, which is natural, but at this moment, there should not be this reason.

Because of this Zheng Chai, he is Nangong Jinhong's person.

If this person is really allowed to temporarily take Wu Yanqiu's position, then the court will become his Nangong Jinhong's court

I was about to look up and say something to Pei Yuanhao, but I saw Zha Bixing waiting next to him yawning loudly.

My brow tightened.

Does he know what situation the imperial court is facing now, and he can actually yawn on such an important matter

Pei Yuanhao also glanced at him, and also twisted his brows.

However, he did not have a seizure.

Nian Shen read a stack of folds, and he frowned, turned his head to look at Pei Yuanhao, Pei Yuanhao had a calm face, and only said: "Keep reading." ”

Nian Shen picked up another book of folds: "Zheng Chase, the head of the household." ”

This time, Pei Yuanhao sneered.

He still sat in his place, his fingertips gently rubbing the piece of jade hanging on his wrist, perhaps because the warm texture of the jade spread from his fingertips to his heart, and he spoke slowly: "It seems that this is really what everyone expected." ”

Nian Shen asked, "Father, do you still see it?"

Pei Yuanhao didn't speak, and Xiao Fuzi came in with another stack of music folds from the outside.

"Your Majesty. ”

Pei Yuanhao glanced back and said lightly: "Put it there." ”

"Yes. ”

He put the fold on the table, and was about to retreat, Pei Yuanhao said: "Nangong Shangshu's excerpt, is it here?"

Xiao Fuzi hurriedly said, "Not yet." ”

"What about others?"

"I heard that Lord Nangong has been closed since he returned to the house. ”

"Oh" Pei Yuanhao seemed to smile: "He's quiet." ”

"But I can't calm down," At this time, the Yu Gonggong on the side stepped forward and said: "I heard that there are several people who rushed directly to Lord Nangong's house as soon as they left the palace, and they have been asking to see them outside." ”

"So, did he see them?"

"Not really. As soon as Lord Nangong returned home, he said he was sick. ”

“”

Pei Yuanhao's eyes were still cold.

I sat there for a while, and at this time I felt a little numb in my legs and feet, and subconsciously wanted to stomp my feet, but he immediately noticed it and turned his head to look at me: "What's wrong?"

"I've been sitting for a long time, and my legs are numb. ”

As soon as he heard this, he came back to his senses, we have been with him here for more than two hours, the prince and Zha Bixing are standing, and they can still move, but I can't move, he hurriedly said: "You get up and take a walk." ”

I nodded, stood up by myself holding on to the table, my legs were so numb that I almost fell back, Zha Bixing was quick-eyed, and hurriedly stepped forward to help me, I looked at him yawning, and then turned back to Pei Yuanhao and said, "Your Majesty, the folk girl wants to take a walk in the courtyard outside." ”

Pei Yuanhao looked at me and said, "It's okay, your illness hasn't recovered yet, and staying here all the time won't be good for you." It's just that don't catch the wind. ”

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty. ”

I turned around and let Zhabix help me out.

The two of them walked into the courtyard, and by this time it was completely dark, and only the faint red light from the lantern under the eaves shone on the ground with the figures of the two of us.

As soon as the wind blew, my spirit was a little clearer, but as soon as I turned around, I saw Zha Bixing open his mouth wide again, yawning widely.

I couldn't help but say, "Do you know what the emperor is calling you here for today?"

He turned to look at me and blinked.

I couldn't help but sigh, and then said: "Master Chang is gone, Wu Yanqiu's life and death are uncertain now, his whereabouts are unknown, the court and the central government can't be dominant, the emperor needs to support one person to get up, even if it is not to fight against Nangong Jinhong, but at least, it should be able to help him get through this difficulty." ”

Zha Bixing looked at me with wide eyes, but still didn't speak.

I said again: "You have the heart to enter the ranks, and you have been favored by the emperor, why are you so loose this time?"

Zha Bixing looked at me for a while, and suddenly said, "The eldest lady thinks that this time this matter is reconciled. ”

"Reconciliation"

I frowned slightly.

This incident just happened today, and the whole court is worried about this matter, and may even be unable to sleep all night, and he is now coming to reconcile with me

I thought about it, from those twists and turns just now, to the words that Gonggong Yu said, Nangong Jinhong didn't seem to have reached the point where he was carried away by something, and everyone could see that the situation in the imperial court was going to be reshuffled, if he really made any moves, it was to push himself to the cusp, not to mention how the people left by Chang Yan Bai and Wu Yanqiu would fire at him, just because he was such a big family, Pei Yuanhao would not sit idly by.

Called Zha Bixing to the imperial study, and even wanted to invite Fu Badai over, all of which meant this.

Now, Nangong Jinhong said that he was sick and didn't see anyone, and he didn't play the tricks, as if he intended to stabilize this step.

Hearing me say this, Zhabixing didn't speak, but just stopped.

"Lord Nangong, do you really want to stabilize this step?"

I was stunned, looked back at him, and saw that he was one step away from me, smiling faintly, looking down at the distance between me and him, and suddenly my mind woke up.

Originally, the two of us walked forward side by side, and at this time he took a step back, and I didn't move, but I was already standing in front of him

Nangong Jinhong is like this now, not steadily, but in silence, he has taken another step

I couldn't help but gasp.

This person, at this time, is really calm, and he can see through the overall situation at a glance

Zha Bixing smiled and kicked a small stone on the ground with his toes, and said in a somewhat joking tone: "This time, it's not that simple, this Lord Nangong is scheming, it's just that the emperor is not so easy to fool, if he doesn't take a step back this time, this matter will not be so easy to be good."

I recalled Pei Yuanhao's cold gaze just now, although he didn't say anything, but there was a bit of murder in that gaze.

I believe that he doesn't really want to move Nangong Jinhong, after all, Nangong Lizhu is still there, and he also said clearly that he can't bear her, but when it comes to the end, I believe there is nothing he can't give up

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Zha Bixing looked at me and whispered, "Is the eldest lady uncomfortable or will sit in the room, it's cold here." ”

"No, it's a little stuffy in the room, I want to come out and breathe, people will be more sober. ”

"Miss, don't think too much, there are actually many ways to solve this matter. ”

"Oh"

I turned to look at him: "For example"

He smiled at me: "Don't divulge it"

“”

I almost couldn't hold my breath.

This person, when he is a street character tester, can not be revealed?

I glared at him fiercely, turned around and walked to the other side, he chased after me with a grin, followed behind me, the two of them walked for a while, and he said: "Have you ever thought about the assassination of the crown prince this time, who is behind the scenes?" ”

I didn't look back, just step by step, stepping on my own shadow: "I thought about it. ”

"Is that the one?"

I was silent for a moment, then nodded silently.

"Does the eldest lady know what his purpose is in doing this?"

I walked forward slowly and said slowly: "If the crown prince dies, the situation will inevitably be turbulent, and the emperor has implemented new policies in various places, offending those powerful gentry, if they want to make any moves, the entire Central Plains will be in chaos." ”

Zha Bixing said: "But the prince has returned safely. ”

"Hmm. ”

However, Lord Wu did not come back. ”

"Hmm"

"Didn't the eldest lady think that maybe their target was not the prince or, rather, not only the prince, but also Lord Wu. ”

“”

My heart moved, and I stopped and looked back at him.

"What do you mean?"