The Qin family was frightened, and cried loudly on the side of the flower bed: "Lord Wu has commented on the reasoning, things are not harmonious outside, and when you come back, you will take out your anger at the wife and concubine at home, what is this?" Shouting and shouting and killing, what is this? I couldn't live this day, so the slave family left and went back to my mother's house. Staying here is also a death, so it's better to leave early. ”

Guo Xu shouted angrily: "Slut, if you want to go, leave immediately, looking at the loss of power of this king, I want to slap my ass and leave, right?" Okay, this king will reward you with a letter of resignation in a while, and let you get out. ”

Qin Shi was angry, but when he heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and immediately sat on the bluestone steps next to the flower bed and cried loudly.

Wu Chunlai was very embarrassed, coughed and said, "Princess, listen to the next sentence, don't make trouble at this time." You don't know the troubles in the prince's heart, at this time, you should comfort and persuade you, why is there still a fuss? The prince is depressed, why do you provoke him? ”

When the Qin clan heard this, he stopped crying and said, "I don't want to either, I was here to persuade the prince, who would have expected ......"

Wu Chunlai said: "Can the princess go back to rest, the lower official will talk to the prince, and the prince will also say angry words." Between husband and wife, there is no grudge. ”

Hearing this, the Qin clan saluted and said, "What Lord Wu said is, then I will go first." ”

Wu Chunlai bowed and returned the salute, and the Qin family got up to leave, calling a few maids and maidservants to clean up the mess in the hall.

Wu Chun glanced at Guo Xu, who was full of anger and looked extremely depressed and decadent, and said softly: "Lord Wang, how about we go to the pavilion over there and talk?" ”

Guo Xu snorted coldly: "What else is there to say now?" The wood has been cooked, the rice has been cooked, and it is too late. ”

Wu Chunlai smiled and said: "Wu came to comfort the prince on the order of Lu Xiang, and it was inconvenient for Lu Xiang to come in person, so he appointed me to come." ”

Guo Xu was stunned for a moment, frowned, and said, "Grandfather called you here?" He's also avoiding suspicion now? Won't come? ”

Wu Chunlai smiled bitterly and said: "Where did the prince think of going, Lu Xiang has a big goal, and now many people are staring at him to see jokes, so he can't move, so he only calls the lower officials to come." Lord Wang, let's talk under the pavilion, I'm afraid it's not very convenient here. ”

Guo Xu nodded and said, "It's okay." ”

The two walked slowly in a small pavilion under the shade of a tree on the west side of the courtyard, Wu Chunlai sat on the stone bench, looked at the surroundings and said exquisitely: "The courtyard of the back house is elegant, and the scenery in the corner of this pavilion is excellent. ”

Guo Xu looked at him coldly and said, "That's all you want to say?" ”

Wu Chunlai laughed dryly, sighed and said, "Lord Wang, Chunlai understands your feelings. But even if the prince is angry and kills, it will not help. This matter was actually expected by Lu Xiang for a long time, why did the prince react so much? ”

Guo Xu said angrily: "You mean, my grandfather already knew that I couldn't get the crown prince?" Why did you deceive me all the time? ”

Wu Chunlai smiled and said, "Doesn't the prince himself know? The prince made his own decisions and ran to assassinate Lin Jue, which made things worse. Until then, there may be a lot to be done. But after the failure of the assassination of Xishan Cuigu, the matter was irreparable. The prince openly wanted the life of Lin Jue's whole family, and Lin Jue was unwilling to give up, so he naturally informed the emperor of some previous things. He risked his own life and pulled the prince off the horse. Therefore, the prince's impulse led to this result, which is no wonder to others. ”

Guo Xu scolded angrily: "Are you here to blame me? Is it all my fault? ”

Wu Chunlai said quietly: "Naturally, it is the prince's fault, of course we are also at fault, and the fault is that we did not stop the prince." The prince was obtained by Guo Mian, and the prince felt uncomfortable, how could we have felt good? We are grasshoppers on a rope, and in the future, when Guo Mian ascends the throne, we will all have to be killed by him after the autumn. Do we feel good in our hearts? ”

Guo Xu lowered his head and was silent. Wu Chunlai's tone slowed down, and he said in a low voice: "Lu Xiang asked me to come over and tell the prince, the matter is far from over, and everything is still to be done." So please don't mess up and get caught. Lu Xiang will arrange everything, and then ...... As long as the prince is willing, the world is still yours in this world. ”

"Oh? Seriously? Guo Xu's eyes lit up and he was surprised.

Wu Chunlai nodded slowly and said, "Of course, this is what Lu Xiang asked me to say to the prince in person." ”

Guo Xu frowned and said: "I can't think of any other way to return to heaven, now that Guo Mian is already the crown prince, what else can we do?" ”

Wu Chunlai said in a deep voice: "Lu Xiang asked me to ask the prince, can the prince remember what Lu Xiang said when he came to see the prince a few days ago." The prince said that if the prince didn't understand those words, he should think about it. After thinking about it, he went to see Lu Xiang when he had the answer, and Lu Xiang would naturally help the prince. If the prince didn't figure it out, then he didn't have to go. Just ask the prince to think about this matter clearly before Guo Mian ascends the throne, once Guo Mian ascends the throne, then there is no need to think about anything. Everyone washed their necks and waited for the knife. ”

Guo Xu looked at Wu Chunlai in a daze, speechless.

Wu Chunlai got up and said softly: "Chunlai has brought the words, don't disturb the prince to think about things, Chunlai will say goodbye!" ”

Wu Chunlai turned around slowly, quietly left the pavilion, and left the courtyard. Guo Xu stood in the pavilion in a daze, as if he didn't notice anything, stunned.

……

There was a strange calm in the court, not so much calm as a dead silence. The government hall and the Privy Council were originally the two most noisy official offices in the imperial court, and there were many things to discuss on weekdays. Most of the controversy in the court is also a matter of these two yamen. But suddenly, everyone seemed to be silenced, Lu Zhongtian and Yang Jun were silent when they went to the court, and the subordinate officials also became dumb.

Although there are many tricky things in the Sansi Yamen, Lin Jue's style has always been that he can solve it by himself, and he will never ask for help from the imperial court. What he can do, Lin Jue would rather discuss with Yang Xiu and Du Weijian than take it to the court to discuss with those people. Because that's not really good for the solution of the matter. What's more, with the intelligence of Lin Jue and Yang Xiudu, how could things in the three divisions of the yamen be difficult to defeat them? There will always be a way to figure it out.

As a result, the early dynasty of the imperial court began to become short and awkward. Often after going to the early dynasty, he suddenly found that there was nothing to discuss, because the three major yamen all said that there was nothing to play. Everyone just stood with their eyes stared, and finally could only hastily announce their retreat from the dynasty.

Many people think that the DPRK and China have nothing to do, and there is no need for mediocre people to disturb it. There have been more than two years of quarrel and chaos in the court, and now it may be a good sign that it is quiet. Even Guo Chong once thought that the matter of establishing the prince was to find the crux of the problem and cut off the root cause of the chaos at once, so everyone is now dead. But it is clear that this quiet does not bode well. It seems that someone is slacking off, and everything quiet seems to be brewing something.

Guo Chong also summoned Lu Zhongtian and Yang Jun respectively to talk, and emphasized his position and thoughts on making Guo Mian the crown prince. Lu Zhongtian said that he absolutely supported the emperor's choice in the matter of establishing the crown prince, and asked the emperor not to worry too much, and also greatly derogated Guo Xu, saying that he was old and faint and looked at the wrong person. said that Guo Xu was actually not the best candidate for the crown prince, he had long wanted to report these words to the emperor, but he was afraid of losing his duty as a courtier. Lu Zhongtian's words made Guo Chong feel relieved, after all, the old minister is still an old minister, and he can still take responsibility, since he thinks so, then the matter is not big.

It was Yang Jun who expressed some dissatisfaction when Guo Chong summoned him. But the general idea is that either of the two princes can be the crown prince, but the emperor should discuss with the ministers, rather than suddenly announcing it. It makes people feel that the emperor is defensive against his subordinates, which greatly hurts his self-esteem.

Guo Chong comforted him, he knew what Yang Jun was thinking, he summoned Guo Mian and told Guo Mian in front of Yang Jun in person: Yang Shumi is a minister of the humerus, and after he ascends the throne in the future, he must also rely on Yang Shumi, and Yang Shumi will also fully assist him. These are all to bridge Yang Jun's heart, and at the same time, it is naturally to reconcile the contradictions between Guo Mian and Yang Jun, these important ministers. Guo Chong still knows very well in his heart that if these knots are not unraveled, there will still be trouble in the future. In fact, what Guo Chong has never understood is that Yang Jun should not have participated in the selection of the crown prince to stand in line, and his choice of side was actually the most unwise way. It's just that this sentence still didn't come out after all.

After the conversation, the situation was better, but the atmosphere at the meeting was still quiet and silent. Lu Zhongtian and Yang Jun also rarely discussed affairs. In short, there was a rather strange atmosphere in the court.

Compared with the low-key and silent of Lu Zhongtian, Yang Jun and others, Guo Mian has been beautiful recently. Soon after he was appointed as the crown prince, Guo Chong put him in charge of the affairs of the country, and he was specially asked to make decisions on some matters in the court. As long as it's not too outrageous, Guo Chong will approve his words. Guo Chong's purpose in doing this was very simple, since Guo Mian was appointed as the crown prince, he must learn to handle government affairs reasonably and establish his authority. He must prepare for Guo Mian's future ascension to the throne, and gradually let Guo Mian enter the role.

Although Guo Mian made a few jokes in the court, with the support of his father, these are not a thing. In addition to the court, in private, Guo Chong also taught carefully. If he has nothing to do, he asked Guo Mian to serve by his side, and remind him at any time, hoping that he will mature as soon as possible. Although Guo Mian is uninhibited, he also understands that this is a critical moment, and he must remain humble and studious in front of Guo Chong, calm and practiced. Guo Mian is already very smart, so his performance is generally satisfactory to Guo Chong, thinking that even if he is not the best candidate, it is not the worst choice.

But away from Guo Chong's eyes, Guo Mian's performance was a big surprise. Since the identity of the crown prince was established, his prince's mansion was crowded almost every day, with guests coming and going. He already likes to be lively and elegant, and some people do what they like, taking it as their responsibility to make him happy, and they mingle in one place. Feast and drink poetry and wine every day, and stay up all night. Guo Chong knew a little, but he could only sigh. In person, he reprimanded him and made him relent. But this is not a big problem in principle after all, Guo Mian has always been like this, Guo Chong has actually been immune to this, but there is no special reprimand. The prince's face still has to be given, Guo Chong knows the truth very well, the future lord of the Great Zhou, if the blow is too much, he will inevitably cower in the future, and it will be difficult to take on a big responsibility.

Guo Mian was worried that since he became the crown prince, Lin Jue did not go to his mansion once to congratulate him. He also rejected his repeated invitations. This made Guo Mian's heart a little angry. One day, Guo Mian finally couldn't help it, and stopped Lin Jue in the morning to ask the reason. Lin Jue only told him that he had too many things to do, and he really didn't have time. After repeated questioning, Lin Juecai said that if he was too close to him, it would not be good for him or him. Lin Jue also warned Guo Mian that he had a lot of courage on his shoulders, and he should not get carried away, and he had to pick up the burden of the future Great Zhou, and he must work hard, read more, talk to people of insight, and think about the fate of the country, instead of indulging in poetry and wine pleasure, which is a waste of his energy and prestige, and there is no benefit to the country and himself. The more proud we are now, the more we must think about how to be prepared for danger in times of peace and how to complete our duties.

Where could Guo Mian, who was excited, listen to these words, if it wasn't for Lin Jue helping him a lot, there would be no good words at that time. However, Lin Jue's identity is there, regardless of whether he is the behind-the-scenes hero who became the crown prince, he is also the third envoy of the Great Zhou, and Guo Mian also understands that he can't make a mistake. So he said perfunctorily, saying that what Lin Jue said was right, but he never invited Lin Jue once since then.

Lin Jue was very helpless, but he chose Guo Mian, and it was destined to be this result. Hopefully, he's just drinking and having fun, and that's no harm. Don't mess with your ideas after you ascend the throne. If Guo Mian is ridiculous in government affairs in the future, he will definitely be the first to stand up against it. He must be responsible for the people he admires, and he must not let him mess up the Great Zhou and mess up the country.

Time flies, and more than a month passes. It's June, and the heat in the capital has already begun to get unbearable.

On the evening of the second day of the first month of June, Guo Xu, who had been silent for a long time, entered the palace to see the driver, which was the first time in these months that Guo Xu was allowed to face Guo Chong, but this was probably the last time he saw Guo Chong. Half a month ago, Guo Xu made a twist and asked Guo Chong to go to Western Xia. Guo Chong's reason is that as a member of the Great Zhou royal family, he does not want to be drunk and dream of death every day, and he hopes to do something for the imperial court. He didn't want to lead the army to make meritorious achievements, but wanted to be an official who raised horses under the tent of the defenders in the northwest of the Great Zhou, and he wanted to do something for the Great Zhou, raise good horses for the Great Zhou, and supply the Great Zhou army. Do your part for Da Zhou.

After Guo Chong received this recital, he actually thought about it for a long time and didn't reply. For a long time, Guo Chong was actually quite conflicted about how to settle Guo Xu. Guo Chong knew very well in his heart that after he made Guo Mian the crown prince, Guo Xu's position was already very embarrassing. Although this son was angry and disappointed when he ascended the throne, he was his own son after all, and he was a member of the royal family after all, and Guo Chong did not want a situation of fratricidal brothers in the future. After Guo Mian ascends the throne, there is a high probability that this kind of thing will occur, even if Guo Mian does not kill Guo Xu, Guo Xu is afraid that he will be imprisoned for life.

Although according to the rules of the Great Zhou, the prince is not allowed to leave Beijing, this is also for the sake of the stability and security of the country. But after Guo Chong received Guo Xu's recital, he still fell into hesitation. He could veto it because it wasn't in order. But for all reasons, he still didn't do it.

At this moment, Guo Chong understood why his father wanted his younger brother Guo Bing, the king of Liang, to sit in Hangzhou to suppress bandits. The father's mind should also be to avoid attacking Guo Bing after he ascended the throne, so he chose such a compromise method, keeping King Liang away from the capital, preferring to break the established regulations rather than let their brothers kill each other. Pity the hearts of parents all over the world, even if you are the son of heaven, you will inevitably be troubled by this. Now that the same question is in front of me, what choice will I make?

Guo Chong summoned Guo Xu today, one of the purposes was to meet Guo Xu, after all, he was his son, and he was the one he once appreciated. After many days of refusing his audience, snubbing him, and punishing him, it is time to see him now. The second is that Guo Chong wants to have a good talk with him, a good chat. Because Guo Chong had already decided to agree to his request and let him go to Western Xia to raise horses. This time, I am afraid that it will be difficult to see each other again in this life, and I should also talk to him about some things.

At dusk, the Ouchi Imperial Palace was full of golden light, dazzling and scorching. After a day of sunshine, the golden glazed tiles on the roof looked like they had been roasted red, and bursts of heat permeated the palace, like a large steamer.

There is a scene in the Yanhe Palace, the outside is as hot as fire, but the inside of the Yanhe Hall is cool and breezy, and there is even a hint of coldness. Of course, this is not an anomalous vision, but because huge ice cubes are placed in various corners of the Yanhe Hall to cool off the heat. Every winter, huge blocks of ice from the Yellow River are stored in the cellars of the Imperial Palace, and their main function is to cool off the temples. How difficult the summer in Bianliang is, only those who live here know. The palace is tall and blocks the cool breeze, so it is even hotter. Therefore, measures to beat the heat are essential.

As the emperor's bedroom, Yanhe Hall is naturally not stingy with the amount of ice cubes. Unlike the residences of the harem concubines, it is a great gift to transport a few ice cubes.

In fact, it's not Guo Chong's luxury, Guo Chong didn't care about the hot and cold weather when he was young, but now that he is old, his lung disease can't stand the overheated weather, so he started to take measures to cool off early this year.

Guo Xu walked alone on the corridor leading to the apse, and the hot sweat all over his body slowly dried in the cool air in the hall. In the corner of the hall, the guards in front of the hall stood far away. Several chamberlains and palace maids hurriedly walked by, and no one looked at him, the prince, as if he did not exist.

Guo Xu bit his lower lip and frowned, and walked quickly across the corridor to Guo Chong's residence in the apse, he saw a person standing under the corridor. That was Zhao Yuankang, the commander of the front division of the palace. The person who is always there like a shadow around the emperor.

"His Royal Highness King Huai, you are here." Zhao Yuankang bowed his hand and saluted respectfully.

Guo Xu nodded and saluted: "The palace commander is polite." ”

Zhao Yuankang smiled and said, "Don't dare!" The emperor is waiting for the prince inside, and he will go for you. ”

Guo Xu nodded and said, "I'm tired." ”

Zhao Yuankang nodded, turned around and entered the palace, and came out after a while: "Lord Wang, please come in, the emperor wants to see you." ”

"Thank you!"

Guo Xu arched his hand and walked in, and suddenly, Zhao Yuankang said in a low voice beside him: "Is His Royal Highness King Huai ready?" ”

Guo Xu's body was shocked, and he turned his head to look at Zhao Yuankang. Zhao Yuankang lowered his head, bowed his body, arched his hands, and maintained a posture of saluting motionlessly, as if he had never said this, but was just sending himself in to see the driver.