Since returning from the southern expedition, the gossip about the emperor's pro-government has spread far and wide, and everyone has been in an uproar. Only the person concerned does not know.

This morning, Han Derang stayed, looking at Xiao Xuan as if he had something to say.

Xiao Xuan understood and immediately left him and asked him to go to the Yanshou Palace to talk.

After entering the Yanshou Palace, Xiao Sui asked, "What's the matter, just say it." ”

Han Derang said: "Does the Queen Mother intend to let the emperor be in power? ”

Xiao Sui was slightly stunned and said, "Who did you listen to?" ”

Han Derang said: "The following has long been spread, saying, 'The queen mother said that the emperor has grown up, and it is time for him to do some big things.'" ’”

Xiao Sui said: "That's right, I did say that I want the emperor to do more things, how can I be wrong?" ”

Han Derang said: "What the Queen Mother said is right, but the people below want to deviate, thinking that the Queen Mother wants to let the emperor be in power." A few days ago, some people thought about giving the Queen Mother a honorific title, does the Queen Mother know what honorific title they are going to give you? ”

Xiao Sui asked, "What honorific name?" ”

Han Derang said: "Ruide Shengci should be enlightened by the Empress Dowager. ”

Xiao Sui said: "Yes, this honorific title is good." ”

Han Derang said: "It sounds good, but, Queen Mother, think about it, is this a compliment to you for returning the emperor's loving heart?" ”

Xiao Sui nodded and said: "It does mean this, since everyone wants the emperor to be in power, how about I return the government to him?" ”

Han Derang said: "No. ”

Xiao Sui said: "Why not? ”

Han Derang said: "Although the emperor is extremely smart, he is also very conceited, impulsive, and still needs to be sharpened and cultivated a calm character. ”

Xiao Sui said: "What I said is that I am also worried about the emperor, since the last time he defeated the Song Kingdom, the emperor has been empty-eyed, arrogant, and wants to send troops to fight this and that at every turn, how can this work?" Just give the country to him, how can I rest assured? ”

Han Derang said: "What the Queen Mother said is true, but how can we dispel the thoughts of the people below? ”

Xiao Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Didn't they want to give me the honorific title?" You ask them to change the word 'holy mercy' to the word 'divine strategy', and nothing else needs to be said. ”

Han Derang smiled: "The Queen Mother is wise. ”

Xiao Sui said: "Although I will not hand over the power to the emperor for the time being, sooner or later the emperor will still have to be in charge of the government, besides, the emperor has indeed grown up, and he should be allowed to do something and experience experience." ”

Han Derang said: "It's better this way, and the Queen Mother won't be so tired." ”

Xiao Xuan smiled: "The whole Khitan probably knows that I am tired, and everyone else blames me for taking power alone." ”

Han Derang said: "Actually, the minister doesn't want you to be in charge of the power and work hard, but the minister is more worried about the prosperity of the Khitan, in the past few years, you have aged a lot, and if you continue like this, you will not be able to bear it." Since you have plans to return to the emperor, why don't you simply retreat behind the scenes, let the emperor take charge alone, and observe the emperor's ability to govern? ”

Xiao Sui said, "I think so too. ”

A few days later, the ministers gave Xiao Yu the honorific title, and the firewood was finished. Xiao Sui said: "I have been tired and tired recently, and I want to rest and rest, so from now on, the emperor will accept it alone." ”

The ministers thought that this was a symbol of the Queen Mother's handover of power, some were happy, and some regretted. Especially. The people of the royal family are excited, all these years, the emperor has lived in the shadow of the queen mother, so the royal family feels inferior to the descendants. Now, the emperor has finally stepped out of the shadows, and the royal family will also follow, and in the future, it will be the world of the royal family.

There was no morning court for a few days, Xiao Sui felt much more relaxed, and there were not many excerpts sent to the harem, occasionally, the emperor would bring some folds to ask Xiao Xuan for advice, but most of them verbally narrated the content of the court meeting to her, and the situation was like conveying some instructions to her. This made Xiao Sui very dissatisfied, maybe she was used to watching the music, and she couldn't sort out the truth of the matter after listening to others' dictations. Therefore, when the emperor came to talk about the affairs of the court, she said: "I am tired and need to rest." ”

However, after the emperor left, she felt very disappointed, and blamed the emperor for not telling her about the affairs of the court.

She still got up early every day, and when it was time for the court, she woke up, and then she couldn't sleep again, tossing and turning in bed until dawn, and then fell asleep. But by this time, Xianshi had already prepared the noodle soup for washing, prepared cheese, sweet cakes, and the freshly milked goat's milk was still warm, waiting for her to go to dinner.

After breakfast, she fell into the void again, and in the face of the sudden leisure, she seemed at a loss, like a rootless floating cloud, just floating, and she couldn't even find a move.

Sometimes, she would ask the concubines of the harem to come over and talk to her, but these concubines couldn't talk about anything other than some trivial matters in the harem. After not being able to sit with them for an hour, Xiao Sui got bored and told them to go back.

However, after the concubines left, the palace became more and more deserted, and a loneliness surrounded her deeply.

At this time, Xiao Sui will ask Xian Shi to talk to her.

Xianshi is a very good talker, she has read a lot of books, and she will even tell her about Wu Zetian.

For this woman, Xiao Sui is very interested, Xian Shi seems to understand her thoughts, and when she talks about Wu Zetian, Xiao Sui is very infected.

Once, when Xian Shi talked about Wu Zetian's abolition of the emperor as the king of Lanling, Xiao Sui suddenly asked: "Do you think Wu Zetian did the right thing?" ”

Xian Shi was stunned for a moment and said, "The slave maid is short-sighted, and I don't know if it's right or not. ”

Xiao Sui said: "You always have a little opinion of your own." ”

Xian Shi said: "If the emperor is benevolent and filial, he should not be abolished, if the emperor is cruel, he is the blessing of the world and the people." ”

Xiao Sui said: "If you have knowledge, in the future, you will tell me about Wu Zetian every day." ”

Xian Shi said: "As long as the queen mother is happy, the slave and maid can do anything." ”

Xiao Sui said: "Fortunately, I didn't let you go to Western Xia, otherwise I would have been suffocated to death." ”

Xian Shi said: "If the Queen Mother feels bored, why don't you go outside and relax?" ”

Xiao Sui said: "That's a good idea, I'll go to Xishan tomorrow." ”

When Xiao Xuan arrived at Xishan, the weather was already hot, the springs in Xishan were hot, and there was always a steam on the ground. The bell of Qinglong Temple is also like a fever, and it can't muster up a little strength, and it has lost its crisp and leisurely past.

But Xiao Xuan didn't seem to be afraid of the heat, and every day after breakfast, she came to a thick maple tree, sat in a thick shadow, closed her eyes, and seemed to wake up from sleep, and sat for most of the day. The sunlight sprinkled down from the leaves, embroidering sunflowers on her. At this time, she seemed very peaceful and comfortable.

On the second day of going up the mountain, the imperial concubine Bodhisattva came to ask Xiao Xuan for peace. Xiao Sui found that Brother Bodhisattva's body had changed, and he was secretly happy in his heart, but he was not sure, so he asked Brother Bodhisattva. Brother Bodhisattva blushed and did not speak. Xiao Xuan was overjoyed, and said with a smile that Brother Bodhisattva is about to become a mother, and he is still so shy, how will he have children in the future?

Brother Bodhisattva suddenly asked, "Queen Mother, how did you raise the emperor at that time?" ”

Xiao Sui was stunned, to be honest, she really didn't know how the emperor raised her, since she gave birth to the emperor, the emperor has been nursed by the wet nurse, and when she grew up, she handed it over to the master. I can't see each other for a year, and I occasionally think about it in my heart, but I'm not around, and once I'm busy, I don't know that I still have such a child. There are two men who always think about him, one is the deceased Yeluxian, and the other is Han Derang.

Thinking about it this way, she felt that she owed Yelu Longxu a lot, and letting him be in charge early might be a kind of compensation for him. Thinking about it like this, she seemed relieved.

She asked Brother Bodhisattva: "Why don't you stay by the emperor's side, why do you run to the mountains?" ”

Brother Bodhisattva said: "The emperor asked the concubine to come to the mountain, and the emperor was afraid that the queen mother would be upset, so he asked the concubine to accompany the queen mother to talk." ”

Xiao Sui said, "What's so boring about me? The scenery of this western mountain is very good, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, it is a good place to cultivate the mind, and I have a very comfortable time here. ”

Brother Bodhisattva said: "Queen Mother, the concubine doesn't understand a little, there are so many interesting places in the Great Khitan, why does the Queen Mother like Xishan alone?" ”

Xiao Xuan said, "Really? I don't think that maybe I grew up in Nanjing, so I have a preference for Xishan. ”

Brother Bodhisattva said: "Actually, on this hot day, the Queen Mother should go to Tu'er Mountain or Black Mountain, which is much cooler than here, and you can also enjoy the golden lotus." ”

Xiao Sui said: "Maybe you're right, but I don't want to run that far, maybe I'm old and I'm not interested in making bowls at four o'clock." ”

Brother Bodhisattva hurriedly said: "The Queen Mother laughed, why are you old?" You can see that your skin is white and fine, soft and smooth, and there are no fine lines on your face, how can you look like a young girl in your early twenties. ”

Xiao Sui smiled: "You girl, make the old woman happy." ”

Brother Bodhisattva said: "The concubine is telling the truth, don't believe it, ask the people around you, see if the concubine is talking about it?" ”

Xiao Sui said: "Okay, don't talk about it, you've been standing for a long time, go back and rest." ”

At this time, Brother Bodhisattva was already sweating all over, and a layer of sweat beads appeared densely on his forehead, and he had long wanted to go back to the room, but Xiao Xuan was lying on a chair and had no intention of returning to the room.

Brother Bodhisattva said: "Queen Mother, on such a hot day, you better go back to your room, under such a poisonous sun, if you are sick with a fever, the emperor will feel distressed and guilty." ”

Xiao Xuan shook his head and said, "Is it hot today?" Why don't I feel hot? As the saying goes: the heart is calm and naturally cool. You feel hot, that is because your heart is too impetuous, you see the dense shade here, the breeze is leisurely, lying here to see the distant mountains and rivers, the beautiful scenery is vivid, not to mention how comfortable. ”

Brother Bodhisattva persuaded her a few more times, but Xiao Sui was unmoved, and Xiao Sui instead asked her to return to the emperor's side.

Brother Bodhisattva had no choice but to leave, and he couldn't understand Xiao Xuan's behavior.

This may only be Xiao Xuan himself to know the roots, this Qinglong Temple is actually a palace built by Liao Jingzong for himself, at that time, because Xiao Xuan likes here, he built this temple in a big way, so that Xiao Xuan can have a place to settle down when he goes up the mountain. However, he could not imagine that it had become a place that she could not face. As long as she stays in the room, there will be a sense of self-blame and guilt tormenting her. Outside the house, her heart was surrounded by a thick warmth, and sweet memories flew in front of her like wings.

The day after Brother Bodhisattva went down the mountain, Yelu Longxu came up the mountain with a group of civil and military ministers, and after seeing Xiao Xuan, he wanted to punish the slaves and maids who served Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Sui said: "What, the emperor didn't come up to the mountain to see me?" Are you here to punish them? ”

Yelu Longxu said: "These minions let the Queen Mother bask in the sun outside on such a hot day, it's simply hateful, how can they have the Queen Mother in their hearts?" ”

Xiao Sui said: "Then you have me in your heart?" ”

Yelu Longxu was speechless for a moment.

Prime Minister Mu Fang said: "Don't blame the emperor for the queen mother, the ministers are not thoughtful, the Qinglong Temple has not been repaired for so many years, and it is dilapidated, it is the sins of the ministers." ”

Xiao Sui said: "You don't take everything on yourself, I like this, isn't it okay for me to blow a cool breeze here and look at the scenery?" ”

Yelu Longxu said: "On this hot day, people are too hot in the house, how can the Queen Mother stand it when she stays outside for half a day?" ”

Han Derang said: "Yes, Queen Mother, you can't spoil yourself like this." ”

Xiao Sui said, "What's wrong with you today? I just basked in the sun, what's the big deal, a posture of coming to Xingshi to ask about sin. Okay, I will follow you tomorrow and go to Tu'er Mountain with you to escape the summer. ”

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Xuan stood up, and was about to go back to the room, but saw a red horse galloping from the bottom of the mountain, and the rider was also like a fire, and the brown and red robes were puffed up by the wind, like a falcon with wings spread. It's Jeruxiu, why is he here?

Xiao Xuan thought so, Brother Yelu Xiu had already arrived in front of him, and when he saw Xiao Xuan, he immediately knelt down and saluted.

Xiao Sui said: "What happened when Yu Yue came up the mountain? ”

Yelu Hugo said: "The minister has a special matter to ask the queen mother? ”

Xiao Xuan said, "What's the matter?" ”

Yelu Hugo said: "The weather is hot, and there are many soldiers in front of him who suffer from heat stroke, so it is not suitable to fight again, so the minister came to ask the queen mother if she can let the soldiers come back to rest and wait for the autumn to be cool before going to war?" ”

Xiao Sui said: "What Qing said is, then withdraw the troops first to rest, but we must guard the border carefully, and we must not let the Song army have a gap." ”

Yelu Hugh said, "Thank you, Queen Mother. ”

Xiao Sui said again: "After Qing goes back, according to the method of changing the army, let the soldiers take turns to rest, and prepare some more heatstroke decoction and medicine for the soldiers. ”

Yelu Hugh said: "It's still the queen mother's thoughtfulness, and the minister will go back to do it." ”

When Jeruhuko had finished speaking, he turned on his horse and went down the mountain with a smoke.

Subsequently, Yelu Longxu also took his leave and went down the mountain. He was very unhappy in his heart, watching Yelu Hugo go down the mountain, he couldn't wait to catch up and beat him with a hundred military sticks, did he still have him as an emperor in his eyes? Now, aren't I already pro-government? Why is there only the queen mother in his eyes? Do you want to live in the shadow of the Queen Mother forever?

Yelu Longxu returned directly to the palace, and Brother Bodhisattva hurriedly greeted him and asked, "Where is the emperor uncomfortable?" ”

Yelu Longxu said, "I am not feeling well anywhere. ”

Brother Bodhisattva said, "What? Who provoked you, so angry? Did the Queen Mother train you? ”

Yelu Longxu didn't squeak, and his face turned red.

Brother Bodhisattva said: "The emperor doesn't blame the queen mother, she is also good for the emperor, good for the Great Khitan, for so many years, the queen mother has worked hard, how much heart has been done for the Khitan, the emperor should thank her for being ~~~"

Yelu Longxu stood up at once and walked out of the Bodhisattva's dormitory, and the Bodhisattva chased him out of the dormitory, trying to keep him, but he didn't go back to the queen. Brother Bodhisattva hated that he couldn't control his mouth and annoyed the emperor, looking at the emperor's back, Brother Bodhisattva stomped his feet hatefully, sighed and went back.

When the queen saw Yelu Longxu coming in, she happily greeted her and said, "Your Majesty, why did you come to the concubine on such a hot day?" Come on, sit here, it's windy here. Cool. With that, he pulled Yelu Longxu to sit down on an open air opening. Then. And he commanded the slave and maid to cut a watermelon.

Yelu Longxu didn't speak, but kept a straight face. The queen found a fan, handed it to Yelu Longxu, and said: "This day is really hot, see the emperor is sweating profusely, your majesty, you sit for a while, and the concubine will go to fetch some water and wash the emperor." ”

Yelu Longxu washed his face, ate a piece of watermelon, and felt that the heat had dissipated a lot, and his mood gradually calmed down.

The queen looked at Yelu Longxu's face much brighter, and said, "The emperor has something to worry about today?" ”

Yelu Longxu said: "The country is so big, there are so many things, and there are troubles every day. ”

The queen said: "Yes, the emperor is the lord of a country, there are so many things waiting for the emperor to make an idea every day, where will there be no worries?" only hates the incompetence of the concubines, and can't share the worries of the emperor. ”

Jerodons said, "What is the lord of a nation? The lord of a country is not me, how can I be the lord of a country? ”

The queen said, "How can the emperor say such a thing? You are not the head of a country, who is the head of a country? ”

Yelu Longxu laughed, laughed helplessly, and said, "Lord of a country, what a beautiful thing to say! When have I ever been the head of a country? ”

The queen knew Yelu Longxu's helplessness, and comforted him and said: "Don't be anxious, the emperor, you are the lord of a country in the Great Khitan, no one can deny it, and besides, hasn't the queen mother already let the emperor be in power?" ”

Yelu Longxu sneered: "Pro-government, what pro-government?" Everyone in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty was respectful to me, and the court also let me be the master, but when it came to a major event, they would not discuss it with me. ”

The queen said, "Then who do they consult?" ”

Yelu Longxu said: "Who else, the queen mother." So, Yelu Longxu told Yelu Hugo about going up the mountain to see the Queen Mother today.

When the queen heard this, she was also very angry and said, "Where is the emperor in the eyes of this person? ”

Yelu Longxu said: "Yes, I was stunned by him, and those civil and military ministers, when they heard that the Queen Mother was basking in the sun in the West Mountain, they were all worried about what kind of illness the Queen Mother had, so they forced me to go up the mountain to visit her and ask her to come back, which was a hundred times better for her than me." ”

The queen listened for a long time before saying: "Your Majesty, the concubines feel that this is because the ministers can't do without the queen mother, and the concubines say a word that the emperor doesn't like, and in the hearts of the ministers, no one can replace the queen mother." ”

Yelu Longxu said: "I know that I will never be able to compare with the Queen Mother, even if I am in power, it is still the Queen Mother who is in charge." ”

The queen said: "The concubine has the courage to say a word, why don't the emperor take the initiative to invite the queen mother back and let her preside over the overall situation, so that the emperor has filial piety, so as not to be angry, and it will not hurt the harmony between the monarch and the minister." ”

Yelu Longxu said: "It's still the queen who is sensible, in fact, I don't have to be in power, I just want to take responsibility, share the worries of the queen mother, and let her rest and recuperate." ”