Wan Yan Hu scolded Han Fang in front of him, but Han Fang was also really cultivated, and he maintained the courtesy that a minister should have to the queen from beginning to end, and he listened to what Wan Yan Hu scolded, but he always said his own words, and every sentence did not deviate from the sage etiquette and the rules of the past dynasties, Wan Yan Hu had no way to take him, and later the two of them said their own things, and gradually changed from fierce confrontation to no confrontation at all, Han Fang did not argue with Wan Yan Hu much, and when Yan Hu's angry scolding came to an end, he himself had already told the matter and resigned, It seems that this matter has nothing to do with Wan Yanhu from now on.

Looking at the back of this minister's departure, Wan Yanhu suddenly felt a panic in her heart, she faintly felt that her anger had no effect on this minister, the other party was an important minister of the imperial court, no matter what she did outside, as long as it was official, according to the Han legal system, the queen could not interfere.

After Han Fang left the palace, he ordered the officials who were also in charge of the inner court to redraft the document of establishing Wei Mingxiu as a concubine, and personally sent it to Tanggu to ask Zhiyan Chong to seal it.

The affairs of the inner court are different from the affairs of the court, and the prime minister may not be able to control them, and if these affairs are directly handled by the inner court institutions in the previous dynasty, they do not need to go through the hands of the six ministries first, only because the Han Empire did not have an independent inner court organization, which was attached to the Ministry of Rites. But because it is the emperor's private matter, the procedure is not submitted to the emperor after the prime minister first, such as this time, as long as the relevant functions hand over the documents, and Zhiyan Chong batches, Wei Mingxiu will be the concubine. There is only one order for the concubine to go to the queen, so it is also a big deal. After Zhe Yanchong approved it, the prime minister and the Yuan National Assembly will have to review it, but unless this matter will have a serious negative impact on the country, it will be difficult for the prime minister and the Yuan National Assembly to refute it.

Han Fang personally sent the documents to Tanggu, and explained the procedures and details in detail, and said: "As soon as Your Majesty's seal is stamped, Xiu Niangniang's status will be decided." As long as the prime minister and the Yuan National Assembly do not interfere, the matter will be decided. After a pause, he said: "Because this is Your Majesty's family matter, if the Prime Minister and the Yuan National Assembly want to oppose it, they have to come up with extremely powerful reasons. The minister has already discussed it, no matter what the prime minister thinks in his heart, he will have to sign the charge in the end. ”

Seeing that he could completely exclude Wanyanhu from this matter with the power of the program, Zhi Yan Chong couldn't help but be overjoyed, and then turned into a sad color and asked, "...... the queen's side?"

Han Fang said: "Your Majesty don't worry, even if the queen is unwilling to do this, she will have no choice in the end." Although the queen is the head of the harem, if His Majesty is afraid that the concubine will be wronged, he can place her in another courtyard, and don't let the two ladies bump into each other. ”

Orihiko Chong sighed and said, "I'm asking...... Well, when you met the Queen...... Is she still angry? ”

Han Fang didn't seem to hear the point of Zhi Yanchong's question, and still said: "The queen is a little displeased, but as long as this kind of thing passes for a while, she will slowly get used to it." ”

Zhi Yanchong was gloomy when he heard this, he also knew that he couldn't say anything emotional to Han Fang, so he didn't ask anymore, waved his hand, and said, "You can do it." ”

Han Fang said again: "Your Majesty, now the inner court is attached to the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Rites has too many duties, and everything is not going well in the harem, which is not a long-term solution." I also ask Your Majesty to give an order as soon as possible to set up a separate Inner Court Division. ”

Zhi Yanchong knew that the establishment of an independent inner court was a major matter with an easier system, and it was not the same as the canonization of the concubine, so he did not immediately agree, but said: "You hand over a recital, and I will send it to the Prime Minister and the Yuan National Assembly for discussion." ”

Seeing Zhi Yanchong's lukewarm reaction, Han Fang hurriedly reminded: "Your Majesty, the establishment of the inner court is beneficial to Your Majesty and the imperial family, and the inner court is not conducive to the prime minister and the prime minister's mansion. ”

Zhi Yanchong pondered for a long time before he said, "I know, but it's not the time yet, let's talk about it later." ”

Han Fang said goodbye and withdrew, took the canonization document stamped with the emperor's seal and returned to Beijing to submit it to the Prime Minister's Mansion for consideration, and when he entered the Prime Minister's Mansion, he suddenly stopped, and did not dare to go in like this, so he turned around and invited Ouyang Shicai to meet Yang Yingqi together.

Yang Yingqi only glanced at the paperwork, and suddenly stared at Han Fang and sneered: "Lord Han, I often heard that there were ministers in the previous generation who liked to help the king's evil, I thought that those were villains who did not learn and did not know how to do it, but I didn't expect that there were also such people among the erudite and talented people!" ”

Han Fang stood with his hands crossed, his eyebrows did not jump, and he did not respond to Yang Yingqi's words, Ouyang Shi said on the side: "Old Seven, what are you talking about cynicism, what kind of evil to help the king, are you talking about me?" ”

Yang Yingqi said angrily: "How dare I! I just don't understand why the fourth brother and the sixth brother made so many things! Big brother and sister-in-law are fine, if it weren't for you......"

Ouyang Shiyi waved his hand and interrupted him: "Do you want to talk to me about private affairs or business affairs?" If it's a business matter, you can say that there is something wrong with this matter in terms of rules and procedures, if it is a private matter, let's go to Tanggu together, and you say it in front of your eldest brother! ”

Yang Yingqi's eyebrows rose, and Ouyang Shi saw him angry, so he hurriedly smiled and comforted: "Seventh, the fourth brother is joking with you, why are you so serious?" Among our younger brothers, you know who the eldest brother is best! At the moment, he is just a side room of Dona, and he is not trying to drive his sister-in-law away! It's not a bad thing to be in the country or at home. You are his most beloved brother, can't you even be considerate and helpful for this little thing, then the eldest brother has been hurting you in vain for the past 20 years! ”

Yang Yingqi snorted and said: "My eldest brother and I are of one heart and one mind in above board, not in such dirty matters!" ”

Ouyang Shi snorted to the sky, his eyes narrowed, and he sneered: "Okay!" None of us are saints, we all have selfish desires and personal feelings, big brother and I have it, and you have it! What is above board and in the same stream? Do you dare to say you haven't done anything dirty? Yang Yingqi's expression darkened, and he said: "Besides, how can the eldest brother trust you in official affairs?" Even in private matters, he cares about you! Don't mention anything else, but say Lin Yu, you touch your conscience and say a word, is the eldest brother good to this kid? Is this above board? ”

Being used by Ouyang Shi in such a round of both soft and hard, Yang Yingqi couldn't say powerful words for a while, and only said: "Let me put the canonization document here first, and I'll go back and call other ministers to discuss it again." ”

After Ouyang Shi left, Yang Yingqi suddenly felt depressed in his chest, and when he returned to the room, Zhao Ju'er saw that he was unhappy and asked, "For the uncle, the princess of Naxixia is the concubine?" ”

Yang Yingqi nodded and sighed: "I won't stop this matter I'm sorry sister-in-law, but I want to stop it...... But I don't know what the reason is! What sister-in-law said about Zhou Po's gift, it was just angry talk, and it could be used to scold the eldest brother, but she couldn't suppress Han Fang, and people outside wouldn't recognize it! ”

Zhao Ju'er smiled and said: "Although the gift of Zhou Po is nonsense, what did Han Fang say about the gift of Zhou Gong - is it really created by Zhou Gong Confucius?" He can bluff the queen about this, but if you really want to argue with him, he may not win. ”

Yang Yingqi shook his head and said, "He may not be able to win, but he may not necessarily lose." After all, it is common for civilians to have three wives and four concubines, and if we ask the eldest brother to only have one wife, everyone will think that it is too harsh. Even before this incident, there was a lot of discussion among the people because the eldest brother was only the eldest sister-in-law. Now that the eldest brother wants to add a concubine, everyone will take it for granted. Even if it comes to the Yuan National Conference, our chances of winning are not high. But...... But let me sign and seal this canonization...... I can't do it. If it is signed, how can I go to see my sister-in-law in the future? ”

The couple sat speechless, and after a while, Zhao Tanger'er said: "What you are most worried about is actually not this, right?" ”

Yang Yingqi was slightly shocked, and Zhao Tanger's said: "Actually, what you are most worried about is that you are afraid that you will fall out with your uncle because of this matter." Now that the crisis inside and outside the court is lurking, if you fall out with your uncle because of this matter, I am afraid that it will be difficult to clean up when the crisis in state affairs breaks out. ”

When Yang Yingqi heard this, he drank a cup of chilled sweet spring in a dog day, which was cool to the heart, and he held his wife's hand and said, "Not bad, not bad." That's what worries me the most. I really don't know how to choose between public and private, national and family affairs. Orange, you say, what the hell should I do? ”

Zhao Cheng'er said: "If it was a simple state matter, I would not have given you an idea." But this matter involves both public and private affairs, I think ......" She hovered in her heart for a long time, and then asked: "Shichiro, do you think that if you stop it with all your might, what will happen between you and your uncle?" ”

Yang Yingqi sighed: "If the fourth brother doesn't add fuel to the fire, the eldest brother may just be unhappy in his heart, but if the fourth brother takes something from it, then the eldest brother and I are afraid that it will be very stiff." ”

Zhao Ju'er asked again: "This is a business consideration." Let's talk about private matters, do you think you can stop this? ”

Yang Yingqi said: "Not necessarily. ”

Zhao Tanger asked again: "Even if you stop it, will it definitely make the uncle and his wife reconcile as before?" ”

Yang Yingqi's expression darkened, and said: "This is difficult to say, stopping this matter is just to make the sister-in-law more comfortable, if the eldest brother is repeatedly frustrated in this matter, I am afraid that it will be worse." ”

Zhao Tanger's didn't speak, but Yang Yingqi knew what she meant, so at this time, Wanyan Hu in the palace sent someone to invite, Yang Yingqi entered the palace, only to see that Wanyanhu was scolding Zhen Yunwu, and when he saw Yang Yingqi, he hurriedly greeted: "Yingqi, Yingqi!" You've come just in time! Look at how I gave birth to such a useless son! ”

Yang Yingqi hurriedly asked what was wrong, Wan Yanhu's eyes were red, and he said: "What is that Han Fang, help your eldest brother marry a little wife, and tell the big truth one by one, I haven't read a book to say that he can't say it, thinking that my son has read a lot of books, so I asked him to discuss, who knew that he actually said that this matter was difficult, and in turn persuaded me to look away...... I...... Ying Qi said! How did I give birth to such a useless son! ”

Yang Yingqi looked at Zhe Yunwu, saw his helplessness, and whispered: "Sister-in-law, this is not to blame Ah Wu, I feel embarrassed as a brother, let alone him!" ”

Wan Yanhu's face changed when he heard this, and he said in a trembling voice: "Ying Qi! What do you mean by that? Although I didn't look for you until today, ...... But I know you're going to help me, right? Seeing that Yang Yingqi didn't answer immediately, his voice trembled even more: "Don't you even want to help me?" ”

At this scene, Yang Yingqi no longer has the prestige of the prime minister of a big country, as if he is still the same as when he was a teenager, just a little brother in front of his sister-in-law.

Wan Yanhu saw that he hesitated and didn't speak, and said angrily: "Okay! Good! You are really my good brothers, good sons! ”

Yang Yingqi couldn't bear it, so he wanted to comfort her, so he said: "Sister-in-law, you ......" was interrupted by Wan Yanhu, and shouted: "Get out!" Get out of here! ”

After being driven out by Wan Yan Hu, Yang Yingqi certainly felt like a needle prick, and Wan Yan Hu felt even more isolated in the palace. This palace is so big, the city walls are so high, and in the deep palace compound, everything has become cold and without a trace of human touch. She is the queen and the most noble woman in the world, but at this moment she feels that she is just a woman who has lost her husband, son, and brother! She knows that many men have three wives and four concubines, and her father and uncle also have three wives and four concubines, but she just can't stand her husband like this! It's been twenty years, and Orihiko Chong hasn't been sorry for her, and she thinks that this life will probably be like this, but now she realizes that everything is not as she thought.

"Why didn't even my son, even Ying Qi help me! I just don't allow my husband to go to another woman, is that okay? ”

Suddenly, Wan Yanhu felt as if his hands were wet, and when he lowered his head, he found that his daughter Zhe Yaqi was crying holding his knees, Wan Yanhu asked, "What are you crying about?" ”

Zhi Yaqi said: "I know that the queen mother is very sad. ”

Wan Yanhu touched his daughter's hair and said, "Don't cry, you are the emperor's daughter, you are destined not to be the queen in the future, as long as you find a good husband, you will live happily for the rest of your life in the future." ”

Zhi Yaqi just shook her head, as if she didn't believe it.

Time in the palace seems to have stood still, but everything outside is running as usual, and the news coming into the palace is more unfavorable than the other, and it seems that the appointment of Wei Mingxiu as a concubine is a foregone conclusion. Three days later, Wei Mingxiu actually sent someone to send a gift, she didn't do it out of bad intentions, after all, although she was the emperor's new favorite, but Liu Zhongxun and others could see that the status of Wanyanhu in Zhiyanchong's heart was still unshakable, so they persuaded Wei Mingxiu to show favor to Wanyanhu, if Wanyanhu was willing to take a step back, it would be a happy ending for both parties.

But Wan Yanhu didn't think so, she looked at the gift sent by Wei Mingxiu, and felt that this was the other party demonstrating! In particular, the pearl shirt that she returned was especially eye-catching among all the gifts! It's just that at this time, although Wan Yanhu had the heart to throw the gift out, he didn't even have the strength.

Zhi Yaqi saw her mother's pain and said, "Queen Mother, I threw things away for you!" Wan Yanhu nodded, and before Zhe Yaqi could do anything, a palace maid suddenly came to report: Sister-in-law Gu asked to see her.

Wan Yanhu shook his head and said, "Just tell her that I'm not feeling well and I'm gone." ”

Zhen Yaqi thought to herself: "It's not good for the queen mother to hold back like this, if Aunt Gu comes in to talk and explain, maybe she will be in a better mood." Then he persuaded: "Queen Mother, Aunt Gu, she has to come to talk to you every month since she moved to the capital, and she has never been an exception." Let's let her in, maybe there's something wrong with her. After seeing that, Yan Hu didn't stop him, so he asked the palace maid Xuangu sister-in-law to come in.

Sister-in-law Gu is also a rude woman, she is older than Wan Yanhu, at this time, most of her hair is half dyed with frost, wrinkles crawl all over her face, but her body is still strong. She originally settled in southern Liaoning, and after the completion of the new capital, according to the plan, their group of veteran tribesmen had houses in the city, and there were some estates outside the city, so many of the patriarchs moved over. This time, Sister-in-law Gu picked up some good pears and brought them into the palace to give Yan Hu a taste, and after entering the palace, she didn't need help from others, so she carried a basket of pears on her shoulders and came in. Wan Yanhu was relieved when he saw the old man, and when he saw her like this, he couldn't help but exclaim: "Ouch! Why are you still so reckless! I don't want to think about my age! Be careful to crush your shoulders and flash your waist! ”

Sister-in-law Gu grinned and said with a smile: "Queen, don't underestimate me!" My body is so strong! Working in the fields, two or three men are not as good as me! He gently put down the pears and said, "Besides, what should I do if those men are reckless and break my pear?" As he spoke, he took out some pears and said, "At this time, the freshly ripe pears, I will take them into the palace immediately after I receive them, and the queen will taste them to see if they are sweet enough." As he spoke, he was about to wash, and Zhe Yaqi grabbed it and said, "I'll arrange these, and you will talk to your mother with you." ”

Sister-in-law Gu smiled: "Let the princess wash the pears?" How does that make it! ”

Wan Yanhu said: "What princess is not a princess, she is your niece!" "Please ask Sister-in-law Gu to come forward, seeing that there is still some unwashed mud embedded in her nails, I am afraid that she really picked pears from the garden and entered the palace directly, so she smiled and shook her head and said, "What are you talking about now is also the general's wife!" Why don't you accept your heart? Do all the menial work! ”

"What's wrong with doing rough work? I don't feel comfortable if I don't work for a day. Sister-in-law Gu said: "Besides, I don't have to rely on our family, what's wrong with him as a general?" I was an official before I retired last year! In my eyes he's still a horse breeder! He raises horses and I farm, so don't laugh at anyone! ”

After hearing Wanyan Hu's smile, he immediately remembered his own affairs, and his expression turned gloomy again, and when Sister-in-law Gu saw Yan Hu's sad face, she asked what happened - it turned out that the matter of canonizing the concubine was just a matter of high-level trouble, and the people didn't know about it. Wan Yanhu didn't want to say it at first, but she was panicked, and finally opened her mouth, she only planned to mention it slightly, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she couldn't control it, not only poured out the whole story, but also poured out the grievances of many days.

Sister-in-law Gu raised her eyebrows angrily when she heard this, and shouted: "It's the opposite! It's the other way around! These men! Sure enough, all of them are cheap bones! It's not good to look loose at all! ”

Wanyan Hu got her words and said, "Yes, yes! But those civil officials said that there was nothing that should not be done, and even Ying Qi didn't help me......"

Sister-in-law Gu said angrily: "They are all men, so naturally they help each other!" Queen, don't care about those civil officials, they are all shitting! Hum! They can't do it! If this example is opened, will it be in the future? As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and said, "Queen, I'll help you out of this breath!" In any case, the Xixia woman cannot be allowed to enter the palace! ”

Wan Yanhu nodded again and again, held Gu's sister-in-law's hand and said, "Yes, yes!" ”

Zhi Yaqi just came in with pears, and was secretly amused when she saw Sister-in-law Gu and her mother's hatred, and thought, "Even Uncle Seven can't do anything, what can you do?" ”

Sister-in-law Gu didn't think about it so much, since she agreed to go out of the palace after Yan Hu did something, she was a princess of the Han Dynasty, and she received an education similar to that of Zhao Ju'er, she was thoughtful, her books were flooded, and she was just polite to rude women like Sister-in-law Gu, and she actually looked down on her in her heart. But looking at her back at this time, she was touched, and she suddenly found that this rude woman had something in her that she had not learned after reading for more than ten years.

"Perhaps...... Maybe she can do it, but it is not known. ”

Although she knew that this idea was ridiculous, Zhe Yaqi still saw a little hope in the back of Gu's sister-in-law.