When Yuanxin returned to Zhenxi Palace, it was already a few days later. The gatekeeper greeted him warmly, and Yuanxin went in as if he hadn't heard.

Guo'er rushed out happily, "Second master, you can come back!" Where have you been these days, Hou Ye and everyone are very anxious. Second master, why are you so haggard? ”

Yuanxin ignored it, and walked inside, Guo'er spoke around Yuanxin like a little bee, "Second master, do you know, the emperor has given you an official." The holy decree is placed in the front hall, and the emperor said that you have meritorious service in protecting the lord, and named you the general of the fourth grade. ”

Yuanxin turned a deaf ear and walked to his courtyard, and Guo'er caught up, "Second master, are you hungry, the slave maid will prepare a meal for you......"

The next day, Yuanxin entered the palace to thank him, and the emperor was in the imperial study with several ministers of military aircraft and a meeting, and the emperor proposed to attack the northern country to show the prestige of the country and ask the opinions of the secretaries.

Xiangwang Xu Qingsong, Cheng Zhenghe and Yilin opposed, and the other two ministers agreed.

Yuanxin had just returned from the north and was familiar with the enemy situation and was questioned by the emperor.

Yuanxin Chengzhu was in his chest, and he talked eloquently, "The minister thinks it must not be." First, it is spring, and the plan of the year lies in spring, which is the time for the people to sow hope. If the army mobilizes the northern expedition at this time, it will inevitably disturb the people's hearts, and the march will cost a lot of money, labor and money, and the harm will outweigh the benefits. Second, the northern capital defended the city with a phantom array, and ordinary people could not enter it at all, and our army was completely exposed when it reached the northern border, and the enemy was in the dark and we were in the light, and it was really difficult to prepare for war. Third, the northern country is the place where Princess Rongshuo grew up, and the princess has a deep friendship with the northern country, and regards it as her hometown, if the emperor raises troops to attack her hometown when the princess just returns to China, it will make the princess sad and embarrassed. Fourth, when the minister was in the northern country, the king of the northern country had expressed his willingness to sue for peace with a lot of money, if the emperor intended to reconcile, he could avoid the war and hurt the people, and he could obtain a large amount of wealth to fill the treasury, and more importantly, he could maintain the friendship between the two countries' neighbors, and the future trade would be of great benefit to the country and the people. Therefore, the minister did not approve of the Northern Expedition. ”

Everyone nodded one after another, and the emperor pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the Phantom Array you just said?" ”

Yuanxin replied fluently, "Back to the emperor, the ministers don't understand." It was seen by chance when the minister and the second prince of Xichi Lian Mo entered the northern capital together, and found that the royal city was ethereal, like a dream, and they couldn't get close. Thanks to Lian Mo's knowledge, the two of us were able to save our lives. ”

"So wonderful? It seems that the northern kingdom is really a land of demons. I'm going to weigh it carefully. The emperor said cautiously.

Yuanxin buttoned the emperor's hat again, the world is alive, loves the people like a son, is benevolent and generous, spreads the world, and so on, so that the emperor temporarily put down the idea of the Northern Expedition.

Several important ministers were impressed by Yuanxin, and the emperor asked Yuanxin about rescuing Hejing, and then he withdrew from everyone and left Xu Qingsong to discuss matters.

Yuanxin strode out of the imperial study, and Cheng Zheng was about to catch up and praise him a few words, but was stopped by Yilin.

I haven't seen each other for more than a year, and there is no one among the two at this time, but there is no calm and Chicheng a few years ago, when I invited Cheng Zheng to sit in Qinghe Palace, Cheng Zheng did not refuse, but his attitude was a lot.

In the imperial study, Xu Qingsong covered his mouth and coughed heavily, and said, "Your Majesty, the minister's body is getting weaker and weaker, and the emperor must make plans as soon as possible." ”

The emperor asked him, "Does Aiqing have a favorite candidate?" ”

Xu Qingsong replied, "I think that the Cheng brothers are all talents. Cheng Zhengchang is in the military, has rich experience in handling things, is stable and responsible, and is the first choice for both character, talent and prestige. Although Cheng Yuanxin has just entered the career, but the growth rate is amazing, if you are interested in cultivating, you will have infinite potential, he traveled through the rivers and mountains in his early years, and he has seen a lot of knowledge, through the matter of the two princesses, his ingenuity and talent can be seen, and it is also a good alternative. ”

The emperor agreed with his analysis very much, "Aiqing's analysis is very good, they have their own merits, King Xiang is the leader of the Yun Clan, I will convene the elders of the Yun Clan Pavilion on a certain day, and the two of them will investigate again." ”

Qinghe Palace, the two of them sat opposite each other, Cheng Zheng knew that the cause of all the previous farces was his own feelings with Yilin, and he no longer dared to let go of his feelings for Yilin, nor did he dare to give Yilin any hope.

"You've brought another sister back." Yilin smiled bitterly, and couldn't help but feel wronged for herself, she knew Yishan's fake identity, but she didn't know why.

Cheng Zheng saw her gloomy expression, and knew her intentions, but King Xiang's words always lingered in his heart, and he really didn't dare to relax, "When I come, I have something to say to you." ”

Yilin intends to renew the old relationship, and said affectionately, "There is no longer a gap between us, this time, this sister should not fall in love with you again." ”

"When you come, you are the prince." Cheng reminded.

Yilin was angry and asked, "What about the prince?" Can't the prince get married and have children, and stay with the person he loves? ”

"Yes, you can stay with the person you love for the rest of your life, but it won't be me." Cheng Zheng decisively rejected him.

"But I love you! There's no one standing between you and me anymore, is there? ”

"But there are already people in my heart. In my heart, I can't tolerate anyone anymore. Cheng Zheng stood up and spoke in a tough tone.

"Already someone in your heart?" Yilin walked up to him and smiled coldly, "When I first gave you a marriage, wasn't I in your heart at that time?" She can squeeze me out of your heart, why can't I? Are you really in love with her? Are you really in love with this liar, this spy? ”

"Yes." Cheng Zheng replied to her firmly, "She is a spy and a liar, but she is also my wife." ”

Yilin was puzzled and insisted on persuading, "She has committed a serious crime, there is no possibility between you anymore, do you want to die alone for her?" ”

Cheng Zheng was unmoved, "I will find a way to save her." I'm here today to make it clear, there is no possibility between us, please take the princess as the priority, forget about the private feelings of the ministers, from now on, between you and me, there is only the difference between the monarch and the minister, and there is no friendship between childhood sweethearts. ”

"Cheng Zheng!" As soon as she shouted, she took two steps back, Cheng Zheng's ruthless words made her unacceptable for a while, as if she heard a thunderbolt from the sky.

"If the princess has something to do in the future, even if she is instructed, the minister will definitely fulfill her duties and share her worries for the princess. If there is no official business, the minister will retire first. After Cheng Zheng finished speaking, he walked out without looking back.

"Why?" Ichilin yelled at his back.

"Jiangshan and I, the princess can only choose one." Cheng Zheng said a serious word and left.

When I broke the teacup sadly, I finally waited for you to come back, and when there was no one else between us, why are we still impossible? Our childhood sweetheart has been friends for 20 years, how can you let go lightly? Why are you so determined about me? What exactly am I doing wrong? Wouldn't we agree to win the country together, how did our goal become an obstacle for us?

Cheng Zheng strode out of the door of Qinghe Palace, stood for a moment, and quickly put away the reluctance in his heart, we were impossible from the beginning, I should have let you die.

Cheng Zheng took a few deep breaths, prepared to leave the palace, passed by the gate of Weining Palace, hesitated, and called a palace maid, who stepped forward to salute, "Master Duanhou." ”

Cheng Zheng asked, "Are you from Weining Palace?" ”

"The slave Zitong is serving in Weining Palace."

Cheng Zheng nodded, and asked again, "Is Princess Hejing good?" ”

Zitong knew that Cheng Zheng had a close relationship with the royal family, so he didn't hide it, and whispered back, "The princess is not good." As soon as the princess entered the palace, she was not accustomed to the water and soil, she had no appetite for several days, and she became weaker and weaker, and the emperor was very distressed, and came to visit her in person every day. ”

Cheng Zheng was uneasy, fiddled with his fingers and thought for a moment, and said to Zitong, "Pass it on me, I want to visit the princess." ”

"Yes." Zitong came out after a short while, and invited Cheng Zheng to go in.

He Jing stood expressionlessly in the sun in front of the door, not knowing what she was thinking, her figure was thin and weak, and she was moving.

Cheng Zheng stepped forward and saluted, "Cheng Zheng, the marquis of the minister, has seen Princess Hejing. ”

He Jing responded as if she didn't have anything, walked indoors and sat down, without looking at Cheng Zheng, her cold attitude made Cheng Zheng feel a little embarrassed.

Cheng Zheng followed into the house, the interior of the house was newly decorated, covered with brocade and embroidery, and the jewelry and jade were dazzling, colorful and gorgeous.

Cheng Zheng replied, "The minister heard that the princess was unwell after entering the palace, so he came to greet him. ”

"Not necessarily." He Jing opened his mouth indifferently and coldly blocked Cheng Zheng's greeting.

Cheng Zheng said with a little embarrassment, "The minister has something to ask the princess for help." ”

After a short pause, seeing that He Jing had no intention of speaking, Cheng Zheng continued, "The emperor attaches great importance to the princess, and intends to send troops to the Northern Expedition to seek justice for the princess. ”

"General Cheng Yuanxin has already mentioned this matter to me, and I will find an opportunity to persuade my father." And Jing readily agreed.

"So, thank you princess for your kindness." Cheng Zheng couldn't find anything to say anymore, seeing Hejing's lukewarm attitude, he felt that a qiē greeting and politeness were superfluous to Hejing, so he didn't say anything, the atmosphere was awkward when he was silent, he asked to retreat, "Take care, princess, the minister retires." ”

Out of the door of Weining Palace, Cheng Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had ended a tough battle. He knew that He Jing would not take the initiative to get close to him like Yishan, but he didn't expect her to be so cold.

He suddenly felt that He Jing was very pitiful, the first half of his life was the adopted daughter of the monarch of the Northern Kingdom, and the second half of his life was the adopted daughter of the emperor, where would it be home? When I was in the north, I had no relatives and no reason, and when I returned to Dazhao, wasn't I also alone? The people and things around her are all unfamiliar, who else can she talk to if she has something on her mind?

Cheng Zheng went to the Zhenxi Wangfu and asked Guo'er, "Is Yuanxin back?" ”

Guo'er shook her head.

"Has he not been back lately?"

Guo'er said, "The second master came back yesterday to get something, and left again without eating." ”

Cheng Zheng wondered what the hell this kid was doing. He asked Jinfeng to send someone to find Yuanxin, but when Jinfeng returned, he was also embarrassed.

"Have you found Yuanxin?" Cheng Zheng asked.

Jin Feng nodded, "I found it, Yuanxin has been living in the suburban villa for the past few days." ”

Cheng Zheng asked, "What does he live there?" ”

"My subordinates don't know. When his subordinates asked him, he spoke fiercely, reluctant to say more, and seemed to be hostile. ”

Cheng Zheng really couldn't understand him more and more, "Isn't it okay on our way back to Beijing?" He also talked and laughed. Where did he go after he returned to Beijing? ”

Jin Feng replied, "This is exactly what his subordinates want to say, Yuanxin went to Hong'an Mansion after returning to Beijing." ”

"Hong'an Palace? He really couldn't let go of Yao Menghan. Cheng Zheng clenched his fists angrily, "Does he think that the lesson he has received is not enough?" ”

"But Miss Yao has passed away."

"Passed away? What's going on? Cheng Zheng's eyes widened in shock.

Jin Feng said guiltily, "The subordinates also just got the news, before we went to the Western Xinjiang, Miss Yao had already passed away, and the news of the blockade of the Hong'an Mansion was very strict, and at that time, our Wushang was on the cusp, or disbanded or retired or subdued, everyone was tired of running for their lives, so they didn't take care of it." ”

Cheng Zheng let go of his fist and asked disheartenedly, "How did she die?" ”

Jin Feng lowered his head helplessly, "The subordinates are incompetent, and the people in the Hong'an Palace's Mansion who are related to Miss Yao have been sent away one after another, and the subordinates can't ask." ”

Cheng Zheng saw that Jin Feng blamed himself and said with relief, "The second prince deliberately concealed it, and we may not be able to find it lightly, but I don't know why he wants to hide it." As for Yuanxin, it may be that I didn't tell him about Menghan's death, but fortunately we didn't know before, he couldn't let go of Yao Menghan, and if he really told him, he might not be able to hold on to today. Cheng Zheng sighed, "I'll find time to explain to him." (To be continued.) )