……

"You are Zhao Junchen?!"

This question was like nonsense, but it made Zhao Junchen think silently for a moment.

Then, Zhao Junchen nodded, with a little regret in his tone, and said slowly: "Although I don't want to...... But I'm Zhao Junchen. ”

The same sentence, if it falls into the ears of different people, it will be understood differently - Chen Zhirong was thoughtful, Su Xiuning was slightly stunned, and Cui Qianxue's mind was relatively simple, she didn't think too much, and only heard the second half of the sentence.

Therefore, Cui Qianxue was still staring at Zhao Junchen with a pair of big round eyes, and still in an angry tone, staring at Zhao Junchen tightly, and asked: "Since you are Zhao Junchen!" Why did you deliberately hide it from me before? Are you teasing me? ”

Although it is a question, combined with Cui Qianxue's delicate tone and immature face, there is no sense of sternness at all, but it will make people feel innocent and cute.

Zhao Junchen shook his head with a smile and said, "I didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just that you didn't ask, so I didn't say it, that's all." As for teasing you, it's even more not, this kind of thing is neither necessary nor beneficial, so why should I do it? What's more, you also hid your identity from me at that time, how can you blame me for this? ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's rhetorical question, and taking this opportunity to start the topic, Cui Qianxue's eyes flashed a trace of inexplicable excitement, but her expression became more and more dissatisfied, and her face was full of disbelief, and she snorted: "I didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just that it was inconvenient to explain my identity to you at that time, and I told you so many things at that time, even if I didn't explain my identity." But you must have guessed, but you pretended to be completely unaware, and told a bunch of plausible truths. Tricked me back, and said it wasn't teasing me? ”

After a pause, Cui Qianxue asked again: "Also, the truth you said at the time, after I calmed down, the more I thought about it, the more I felt that it was wrong!" In your eyes, in this temple. Qingliu is just chasing fame, and corrupt officials are just chasing profit, people in this world. Most of them are just chasing fame and fortune, and there are not a few good people, don't you think that your thoughts are just living in the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain? I was in turmoil. I was fooled by you. But now I don't. ”

Zhao Junchen sighed: "At that time, I guessed your identity, but if the scene at that time was debunked, wouldn't it make you and me feel embarrassed?" I didn't say it, but I also think about it...... As for the truths I said at that time, they were all sincere and well-intentioned. As for you saying that I am 'living in the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain'......"

Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen paused slightly. seemed to introspect for a moment, and then said: "In the eyes of villains, this world is full of villains, so it is not necessarily wrong for you to say this, if there are only two kinds of people in this world, 'villain' and 'gentleman', then I am far from being a 'gentleman', so I can only be a 'villain'." ”

Seeing that Zhao Junchen had no intention of arguing at all, not only neatly admitting himself as a "villain", but also interrupting the topic by taking this opportunity, Cui Qianxue was slightly stunned, and opened her mouth to speak, but she didn't know what to say, and couldn't help but stop, and a trace of regret and disappointment flashed in her eyes.

…………

Cui Qianxue doesn't have a city, all her thoughts will be shown on her face, even if she deliberately conceals it, as long as she is a person who has experienced a little in the world, she can still understand Cui Qianxue's thoughts at a glance.

At this time, Cui Qianxue's accusations, questions, and nonsense against Zhao Junchen, what kind of thoughts did Zhao Junchen have, Zhao Junchen naturally understood - he was just looking for something to say and wanted to attract Zhao Junchen's attention, but there was no malicious intent.

Originally, Zhao Junchen didn't have a bad feeling for Cui Qianxue, and he didn't mind cooperating, however, after seeing Cui Qianxue pull the topic farther and farther, and then involved the conversation when the two met next to the bean flower stall, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and took the initiative to stop the topic.

Before, when he met Cui Qianxue for the first time next to the bean flower stall, the reason why Zhao Junchen put forward the concept of "chasing fame and fame and corrupt officials seeking profit" was just to let Cui Qianxue go home obediently, and then participate in this palace banquet with Cui Mian, now that the goal has been achieved, Zhao Junchen is naturally unwilling to continue arguing with Cui Qianxue.

Moreover, the so-called battle of ideas, no one can always convince anyone, and it is even more so when encountering an innocent and stubborn girl like Cui Qianxue, if you argue with her, I am afraid it will not be able to end in a short time, but Zhao Junchen is not willing to waste time on the debate of ideas, this palace banquet is very important to Zhao Junchen, and he has many other things to do.

In a way, villains only have interests in their eyes, so most of them are "practitioners"; And gentlemen only have good and evil in their eyes, so most of them are "theoreticians"; Zhao Junchen is not a gentleman, so he may occasionally participate in this kind of pure theoretical debate, but he is never willing to discuss it in depth and talk about it from time to time, which is what "gentlemen" will do.

The most important thing is that people should say what they should say on any occasion, and now it is during the palace banquet, Emperor Deqing, ministers of the court, nobles of the former dynasty, and eunuchs of the inner court, all of them are close to the left, so some concepts, even if they are their true thoughts, can be said at will in private, but in such an occasion, they must not mention the slightest.

"Emperor Deqing is wise and martial, the ministers of the court are virtuous and upright, and the common people live and work in peace and contentment" - these high-sounding words are what should be said on such an occasion today; As for the concept of "Qingliu chasing fame, corrupt officials seeking profit, and there are few good people in the Manchu Dynasty", Zhao Junchen believes that Emperor Deqing also thinks so in his heart, but if Zhao Junchen says it at this time, Emperor Deqing will inevitably severely reprimand Zhao Junchen, so that Zhao Junchen can't eat and walk around.

In many cases, the so-called "whitewashing of peace" is not only because of the foolishness of the monarch and the treachery, but also because it involves the stability of the government and the opposition, the face of the monarch and the minister, and even the evaluation of future generations, which is not allowed to be careless.

In this regard, Zhao Junchen has always been cautious, so seeing that Cui Qianxue gradually turned the topic to a sensitive direction, he hurriedly admitted that he was a "villain". And the continuation of the topic was suspended.

…………

However, although Zhao Junchen can guess Cui Qianxue's thoughts, how can Cui Qianxue understand Zhao Junchen's considerations?

In Cui Qianxue's opinion. The reason why Zhao Junchen took the initiative to stop the topic was because his words implied ridicule and attack, which hurt Zhao Junchen's face and made Zhao Junchen angry.

Inexplicably, Cui Qianxue felt regret and chagrin in her heart, and felt that she should not accuse Zhao Junchen so thoughtlessly from the beginning, but regret and chagrin at the same time. But he was a little annoyed by Zhao Junchen's "careful eyes", thinking that Zhao Junchen was angry because of such a little accusation, and he really lacked the courage and mind.

Between the complicated minds. After being speechless for a while, Cui Qianxue raised her eyebrows, snorted lightly, and was about to continue to say something.

The other side. is different from Cui Qianxue. Chen Zhirong obviously understood Zhao Junchen's true thoughts, and then saw Cui Qianxue's slightly clumsy appearance, and there were faint fluctuations in her eyes, but when she took advantage of Cui Qianxue's words, she interjected with a smile: "It turns out that Lord Zhao and Miss Cui have known each other for a long time?" It's just that I heard that Cui Ge's family education is very strict, so Miss Cui has always lived in the boudoir, and rarely goes out of the house, and I don't know how Lord Zhao and Miss Cui met? ”

Heard Chen Zhirong's inquiry. Cui Qianxue was slightly stunned, and couldn't help but stop talking again.

None of them. In this era, a girl of Cui Qianxue's age would do such a thing as "running away from home", which can be described as a "big rebellion", if it is spread, not only Cui Qianxue herself will have a bad reputation, but even the Cui Mansion will be disgraced.

At this time, hearing Chen Zhirong's inquiry, although Cui Qianxue was naïve, she also knew that she couldn't tell the truth, but Cui Qianxue was not proficient in "lying", "prevarication", "perfunctory" and other methods, so she didn't know how to answer for a while, but she was hesitant.

However, after Chen Zhirong's interjection, Cui Qianxue's attention was finally diverted, and in a way, Chen Zhirong could be regarded as doing Zhao Junchen a big favor.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen first smiled at Chen Zhirong and nodded to express his gratitude, and then saw Cui Qianxue's embarrassment, so he replied instead of Cui Qianxue: "Actually, it's nothing, it's just that I used to dine in the same restaurant as Miss Cui and met by chance." It's just that Miss Cui and I didn't explain our identities at that time, so when we see them again, we are just a little surprised. ”

Zhao Junchen didn't lie, but just avoided the important and light, and also helped Cui Qianxue expose the matter of "running away from home", which made Cui Qianxue on the side secretly relieved.

At the same time, because of this, when Cui Qianxue looked at Zhao Junchen again, a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes, thinking that Zhao Junchen might not be so "careful".

On the other side, Chen Zhirong naturally knew what Zhao Junchen was hiding, but she was a smart woman, so she didn't ask, just smiled: "I see, I didn't expect Miss Cui and Lord Zhao to have such an opportunity, it's really enviable." ”

Hearing Chen Zhirong say this, Cui Qianxue was slightly stunned, and wanted to ask Chen Zhirong "What is there to envy", but she was worried that Chen Zhirong would ask something more, so she finally chose to keep silent.

At the same time, since Su Xiuning sat down, she had the same mind as Cui Qianxue, and she also wanted to say something to Zhao Junchen and attract Zhao Junchen's attention, but her temperament was naturally introverted and supple, that is, she did not have Cui Qianxue's action, and she did not have Chen Zhirong's intelligence and shrewdness, plus she had never had experience in getting along with strange men, so she opened her mouth several times, but she couldn't talk.

Now, finally waiting for Cui Qianxue to keep silent, Su Xiuning's lips opened slightly, and she was just about to say something, but Emperor Deqing suddenly stood up and raised his voice to speak.

…………

In fact, between Zhao Junchen and the women's conversation, Emperor Deqing sat at the top of the hall, although on the surface he was chatting casually with Chen You, Cui Mian, and Su Changyi, but the corner of his eye kept paying attention to Zhao Junchen's movements.

In this palace banquet, although Zhao Junchen is in a high position and is one of the powerful ministers in the court after Zhou Shangjing, after all, he is only a second-grade household secretary, and the people who go to the banquet today are either nobles, or former cabinet elders, or senior governors of the same grade, Zhao Junchen's status on the surface is the lowest, so the seat in the palace banquet is also in the corner.

At this time, because of the distance, Emperor Deqing didn't know what Zhao Junchen and the girls were talking about, but seeing that Zhao Junchen and the three daughters were "talking very happily", he couldn't help nodding slightly, with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

And then. Emperor Deqing suddenly smiled, interrupted the conversation with Chen You, Cui Mian, and Su Changyi, and asked the imperial concubine Wan beside him, "Ai Concubine." It's the first time you've met Zhao Aiqing, right? What do you think of him? ”

The imperial concubine Wan is the biological mother of the crown prince Zhu Heyu, and Zhao Junchen is the sworn enemy of the crown prince Zhu and Yu in the court, so the imperial concubine Wan naturally does not like Zhao Junchen.

However, the imperial concubine Wan, like Chen Zhirong, is a smart person, knows when to say something, and knows that Emperor Deqing is still inseparable from Zhao Junchen. So although he hated Zhao Junchen, he didn't show the slightest hint on his face, but just smiled: "This Zhao Junchen can get the weight of His Majesty." Naturally, he is a rare young talent, but the concubines see him as dignified and polite, but he is not as ...... as rumored."

Speaking of which. Imperial Concubine Wan "consciously lost her words". There was a slight embarrassment on his face.

Emperor Deqing didn't mind, first laughed, then lowered his voice slightly, and said, "Aifei, you mean...... This Zhao Junchen is rumored to be an insatiable corrupt official, but now it doesn't look like it, right? ”

The imperial concubine Wan Shi lowered slightly, and said: "The concubine lost her words, and she even discussed the ministers of the court in vain, and asked His Majesty to punish her." ”

Emperor Deqing shook his head. He said, "You're just telling the truth, how can I punish you for this?" But. Since I reuse this Zhao Junchen, I naturally know what kind of official and what kind of person this Zhao Junchen is. However, as an emperor, I always have to think about the long-term and comprehensive, some people must be reused even if they are corrupt officials, and some people must be suppressed even if they are incorruptible...... Aifei, you also know that since ancient times, the Qingliu have always been stubborn, and even regard 'outspoken offenses' as a virtue, if I just reuse the Qingliu, then wouldn't this court become a hall of words for the Qinglius? How can I still rule the world? What's more, most Qingliu attaches too much importance to moral articles and despises practical interests, and they say high-sounding words smoothly, but their ability to do things is poor, so people like Zhao Junchen, even if I know what is going on with him, I still have to use it. ”

Hearing Emperor Deqing's words, a trace of disappointment flashed in the eyes of the imperial concubine Wan, but there was a sudden look in her expression, and she looked at Emperor Deqing with a little admiration, and said: "Your Majesty, you have considered it thoroughly, although the concubine prides herself on being smart, she is far inferior, let alone so much, but she just thinks that this Zhao Junchen's behavior does not look like a corrupt official." ”

Noticing the adoring expression of the imperial concubine Wan, Emperor Deqing was a little proud, and said with a smile: "Concubine Ai must not be a good person in the future, those who are polite on weekdays may not be good people, and those who are full of benevolence and morality may not be gentlemen, especially in this court, there are countless hypocrites, you know, good people can't be officials." As for this Zhao Junchen, in the past, he didn't seem to have a city like this, and he relied on my favor to him on weekdays, but he was very rampant, but in recent days, he has finally matured a lot, and the means, the city, and the scheming, all of which have grown, sometimes he is thinking and doing, even I can't guess it, but it is precisely because he has such ability that I beat him from time to time, but I want to use him more, and I held this palace banquet for him today for a blind date, and it is precisely for this consideration. ”

Imperial Concubine Wan nodded and smiled: "I see, your majesty can have such means, whether it is a hypocrite, a real villain, or even an old fox, it doesn't matter, you will be controlled by your majesty in the palm of your hand, so that the world is stable and peaceful, and your majesty's holy light will inevitably be passed down for hundreds of generations." ”

The "old fox" in the mouth of the imperial concubine Wan naturally refers to Zhou Shangjing, who was the assistant of the dynasty.

Emperor Deqing has always been proud of the emperor's mental skills, but Zhou Shangjing gradually rose during the reign of Emperor Deqing, and became the second only powerful minister in the history of the Ming Dynasty after Zhang Juzheng, although there is no great harm, but Emperor Deqing is deeply ashamed. Such a sentence of the imperial concubine Wan Shi scratched the itch of Emperor Deqing and made Emperor Deqing even happier.

Obviously, the imperial concubine Wan knew Emperor Deqing very well and knew what kind of words could make Emperor Deqing happy.

After smiling, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhao Junchen's position again, and then asked the imperial concubine Wan: "These three women, one is the daughter of Su Changyi, the governor of Nanzhili, the other is the daughter of Chen You, the Duke of Jingguo, and the other is the granddaughter of Cui Mian, the old man of the former cabinet. ”

In this regard, the imperial concubine Wan already had an idea in her heart, and replied: "The concubine thinks that the family and everything is prosperous, since this Zhao Junchen is deeply valued by His Majesty, he must be an assertive person, so his wife had better be more submissive, and the concubine looks at these three girls, I am afraid that Su Xiuning, the daughter of Su Changyi, the governor of Nanzhili, is the most suitable." ”

Emperor Deqing nodded with a smile and said, "Concubine Ai, you always have the same idea as me, and I also think that this Su Changyi's daughter is the most compatible with Zhao Junchen." ”

However, Emperor Deqing did not say his own reason, but changed the topic and said: "However, this Zhao Junchen is a member of the court after all, even if I am the Ninth Five-Year Emperor, it is not easy to designate a marriage for him at will, it can only depend on his own attitude." Now it seems that although I like Su Xiuning, the daughter of the Chen family of Jingguo Gong and the granddaughter of Cui Ge Lao are more active, you see, concubine, these two daughters are talking to Zhao Junchen, but it is Su Xiuning, sitting on the side without saying a word, looking so embarrassed. ”

Hearing Emperor Deqing say this, the imperial concubine Wan also looked towards Zhao Junchen's seat, and stayed on Chen Zhirong's body for a moment, and a trace of solemnity flashed in her eyes.

Then, the imperial concubine Wan smiled quietly: "A girl of this age is the most tender-faced, like the daughter of the Duke of Jing, but it is rare." You don't have to worry, when they get acquainted with each other, they will let go. ”

Emperor Deqing nodded and said, "Indeed, the palace banquet has just begun, and when the atmosphere is more lively, this daughter of the Su family will also make a difference...... After all, her father should have told her something, and at this time, she had to let go of her reserve......"

As he spoke, Emperor Deqing saw that all parties to the palace banquet were ready, so he stood up.

And as Emperor Deqing stood up, everyone didn't dare to slack off, they all got up to accompany each other, and waited for Emperor Deqing's words.

However, Emperor Deqing didn't know that Su Xiuning finally found an opportunity at this time and mustered up the courage to talk to Zhao Junchen, but was interrupted by his actions.

…………

"Just now, I chatted with Cui Ge Lao, Governor Su, and Jing Guogong, and learned that the old minister is still healthy, the important town in the south of the Yangtze River is still prosperous, and the nobles in the court are still stable, I can't help but be happy in my heart, everyone, drink this cup with me!"

After Emperor Deqing finished speaking, he raised the wine glass in his hand and drank it all!

Seeing Emperor Deqing's statement, everyone naturally hurriedly thanked him and accompanied Emperor Deqing to raise a glass.

Then, Emperor Deqing said a few more high-sounding words, livened up the atmosphere of the palace banquet, and finally sat down satisfied after everyone thanked him.

After Emperor Deqing sat down, everyone naturally sat down.

Then, in the banquet where Zhao Junchen and the third daughter were, Su Xiuning suddenly noticed a very interesting detail, her eyes lit up, and she finally found a reason to talk to Zhao Junchen.

…………

ps: Since last month, there has been a lot of turmoil in the working environment of the bugs, and I don't want to code words, sorry! Now it's back! (To be continued!)

Tips: The new domain name "biquge.info" has been launched by Biquge, and the original domain name is about to be discontinued. Please tell each other, thank you!