After returning to Shangdu from Shengling, Xiao Yizheng went directly back to King Heng's Mansion to rest.

After many days of grief, with nowhere to relieve, he felt that he was on the verge of collapse.

When Uncle Zhong saw him return home, he handed him a letter from Su Jiang.

He stroked the handwriting on the letter, and suddenly felt his breathing easier, relieving the pain.

Behind him, there is still an inseparable attachment.

Qingxi only wrote four words to her: I'm by my side.

But these four words are enough, which can support him through countless dark nights and hardships.

Uncle Zhong looked at him haggardly, and knew that for him, there was no words to comfort him at this moment, so he had to silently arrange everything in the house and take care of his diet and daily life.

The next day, Xiao Yizheng first went to Lingfu.

Since returning to Shangdu, he has not had an in-depth exchange with Ling Deyan.

The hundreds of officials in the DPRK and China are also working hard day after day, and Xiao Yihe gives everyone a day off.

Xiao Yizheng told Ling Deyan and Chen Ruofu about Su Jiang in detail, especially about Empress Xiaoyi.

The two were shocked when they heard this.

"Are you saying that my sister is Empress Xiaoyi, and you are actually my sister's son? This...... How is this possible? This...... It's incredible. Chen Ruofu opened her mouth with a look of resolute disbelief, but her eyes looked at Xiao Yizheng with more friendship.

Ling Deyan frowned deeply and said in a deep voice: "My father-in-law has never told us about this, and the emperor has never mentioned it. He turned his eyes to look at Chen Ruofu and said, "Before I entered Beijing as an official, Empress Xiaoyi passed away. If you enter Beijing before this, you may be able to notice something. So that's exactly what happened! He paused and pondered, "Now that things have changed, I think it's better to let it be a secret between our families." He was obviously asking Xiao Yizheng's opinion.

Xiao Yizheng nodded and said, "My son-in-law thinks so too." ”

"In addition, about Heng'er......" Ling Deyan's brows furrowed even tighter: "Frankly speaking, we don't know what my father-in-law expects from Heng'er. ”

"Yes! Why don't I know anything about the dragon and phoenix? Chen Ruofu also followed: "If this is the secret of our Chen family, why don't I know?" Why does she have to bear this burden? She's not ......."

"Afu ......" Chen Ruofu's words were interrupted by Ling Deyan, who answered very naturally: "Actually, it can be understood, it is a matter of family secrets, if there is no emergency, how can it be mentioned." ”

Chen Ruofu paused for a moment, and then immediately echoed: "That's right...... Also to ......"

Xiao Yizheng was very keenly aware of their unfinished words, but before he could ask, he heard Ling Deyan solemnly say to himself: "Your Highness, the former emperor confessed to him before his death, and I am also present." I don't think I'm going to move you, even if I'm not worried about you. As for us, don't worry. After the enthronement ceremony, I wrote to ask him to return to his hometown. I don't think I'm going to keep it today. ”

Xiao Yizheng looked at him with guilt, and said apologetically: "I have wronged my father-in-law and mother-in-law, if it weren't for the relationship between my son-in-law, my father-in-law would still be able to serve the country." ”

Ling Deyan smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness's words are serious. Power is like a floating cloud, and there is no need to be nostalgic. I have been an official for many years, and I can be regarded as doing some things for the country and the people, but I am not ashamed of this. We want to go back to Sujiang and our families. He looked at Xiao Yizheng lovingly, and said, "Your Highness also wants to, doesn't you?" ”

Xiao Yizheng looked at them movingly and nodded slightly.

"By the way, what do you think about the case of Taining's mining operation?"

Xiao Yizheng didn't expect him to suddenly ask about it, and said with a little puzzlement: "Is there any hidden truth in this case?" ”

Ling Deyan said: "It should be said that the prince of Xiang should be at the top, and the emperor also has arrangements. I think that after the official enthronement today, I will deal with the Hunan Palace. ”

"So what's the question about my father-in-law?"

"Not really. It's just that before the case was handed over to Dali Temple for thorough investigation, the emperor had sent someone to touch it low, and I was quite puzzled by this action. ”

Xiao Yizheng frowned, this is indeed not in line with the imperial court investigation procedures. Why did my father do this?

"Who did the Emperor send?"

"It should be Guo Duzhi." Ling Deyan looked slightly relieved, and said: "

Maybe I'm thinking too much. There is nothing wrong with the emperor asking him to check first. ”

Guo Rui previously asked to go to Shengling to guard the tomb, and Xiao Yihe had already approved.

Now Guo Rui is in Shengling and has not returned to Beijing.

When Xiao Yizheng heard this, he also had this matter in his heart.

After leaving the Ling Mansion, he entered the palace.

He will do his best to do what his father has given him.

Xiao Yihe's enthronement ceremony was set for ten days later, and everything was carried out in an orderly manner. He himself had already moved from the East Palace to the Heart Cultivation Palace.

When Xiao Yizheng entered the meeting hall of the Heart Cultivation Palace, Xiao Yihe was taking medicine.

He frowned, and instinctively asked, "Third brother is not in good health?" ”

Xiao Yihe raised his eyes to look at him, put down the medicine bowl in his hand, and after rinsing his mouth under the service of the waiter, he waved his hand and made everyone retreat.

"Sit down, I just have something to tell you."

Xiao Yizheng saw that he didn't answer, and he didn't ask, and after sitting down, he got straight to the point and said: "The younger brother came today to implore the imperial brother." After the younger brother wanted to participate in the enthronement ceremony, he returned to Sujiang. ”

Xiao Yihe looked at him calmly and said slowly: "Let's discuss this matter later." There are many affairs in front of the DPRK and China, and the sixth brother needs a lot of help. ”

"My brother is used to being free, when my father was alive, I had no intention of government, and the royal brother still didn't want to be strong." Xiao Yizheng said respectfully.

Xiao Yihe was silent, looked at the curling green smoke from the incense burner in the hall, and said in a deep voice: "Sixth brother, I remember that day you said that day, I am the third brother, you are the sixth brother, that's all." Even between you and me, it is not without trouble. But today, I also have a sentence: I am willing to be your third brother, as long as you are still my sixth brother. ”

In the main hall, there was silence for a while, and you could hear each other's heartbeats.

Xiao Yizheng raised his eyes, and his eyes were all deep and deep.

He understood the deep meaning of this sentence, and he could also understand the entanglement in Xiao Yihe's heart, neither giving up that brotherhood, but also not being completely at ease, but he was afraid that he was completely powerless to control this unease.

He felt compassion in his heart.

"Mark my words." Xiao Yihe's expression softened, and he instructed softly, and then said: "At the enthronement ceremony, I sent envoys to all friendly neighbors to congratulate me. There are acquaintances of yours. Guiping sent the old prime minister to come, and Princess Qiqina of the Danda Department also entered Beijing with the envoy group this time, and will arrive in the near future, and your hospitality will be indispensable at that time. Now that you have entered the palace today, go and see the queen mother. After the enthronement ceremony, she was about to leave for the Shangqing Palace to live. I can't convince her, maybe you can. ”

Xiao Yizheng frowned slightly, did not express any opinions, got up and said that he was going to Fengyang Palace.

Fengyang Palace was extremely deserted, and Yuan, who was already the queen mother, stood alone in front of the peach forest outside the palace, stunned. The ladies were far away from her.

Xiao Yizheng approached, and everyone saluted in advance, but was stopped by him.

He looked at the peach forest and remembered that at this time last year, he and Qingxi met under the peach tree, how could he have thought that there would be such a change today.

The peach blossoms are still the same, and the human face is still different?

He slowly approached Yuan's side and followed her gaze at the peach forest.

"Liulang is here......" Yuan didn't look back, but he called out at the right time.

Xiao Yizheng saluted and said: "Niangniang seems to be able to distinguish the sound of footsteps. ”

Yuan smiled: "Others may not be able to, but the first emperor, San Lang, and your footsteps, I can really hear it." ”

Xiao Yizheng's heart ached, and he wanted to say the question directly, but he blocked his throat and couldn't make a sound.

"This peach forest outside Fengyang Palace is very beautiful, and it always reminds me of the first time I saw your father many years ago, in front of this peach forest. I was canonized as the crown princess and entered the palace to thank me, and he stood here waiting for me to say that he wanted to see who his future wife was. I've been in this eye for the rest of my life. The queen's voice seemed distant and ethereal, as if returning to the past.

Xiao Yizheng listened silently and did not interrupt her.

"At that time, seeing you and Qingxi standing in front of this peach forest with rain-like petals, I sincerely hope that this glance of yours can grow old."

The queen turned around as she spoke, looked at Xiao Yizheng calmly, and said softly: "Liulang should have something to ask me." ”

Xiao Yizheng nodded, suppressed the unbearability in his heart, and said, "Niangniang, Liulang doesn't want to be false with you."

Snake, I just ask: Are the people who chased and killed Qingxi and drugged Qingxi all done by Niangniang? ”

The queen was not surprised, her face was as calm as ever, and she said slowly: "I know, you will come to ask me eventually." She sighed and nodded, "Yes, it's me." ”

Although Xiao Yizheng was prepared, when he heard her admit it in person, his face still changed instantly, with disappointment, regret, and anger.

"Presumably Qingxi has already told you what you heard in the Imperial Garden that day." The queen's face still had a gentle meaning: "The first time I saw that child on Baoding Mountain, I liked her bravery and calmness. On that day, I saw her standing in the Imperial Garden, and I was not sure that she heard the conversation between me and San Lang, but then she saw that the eyes of you when you approached Fengyang Palace couldn't deceive people, and there was a sudden peace of mind and distress in it. No matter how brave and calm a woman is, she doesn't know how to hide when she sees the person in her heart. So, I'm sure, she must have heard something. ”

"Mother shouldn't be like this. Qingxi didn't tell me anything! And even if she did, so what? Does Niangniang think that I will hurt you and the third brother because of this? Xiao Yizheng said in a low voice.

The queen looked at him and shook her head: "I naturally believe that you won't." However, Liulang, I'm afraid you can't understand your third brother's state of mind over the years. The emperor's family, there is the helplessness of the emperor's family! ”

The emperor's family has the helplessness of the emperor's family.

Xiao Yizheng himself said this sentence, and now when he hears it, there is a sense of vicissitudes.

Yuan continued: "San Lang doesn't know about this, don't be angry. I am ashamed of Qingxi, but now that she is well, I have one less serious sin. In the future, when I went to the Shangqing Palace, I would also chant sutras and pray for blessings, and I had forgiven my sins. ”

Xiao Yizheng took a deep breath, it was an emotion that was difficult to calm down, but after hearing the queen say this, it was covered with a layer of unbearable. After a while, he said: "I won't let go of the people who hurt Qingxi." However, my mother has nurtured me for many years, and before my father collapsed, I also promised him to remember your kindness. The third brother asked me to persuade my mother to live in the palace, but I couldn't do it. Niangniang went to the Shangqing Palace, and Liulang and Niangniang were afraid that they would be indefinite, so they said goodbye. ”