Following the direction of Empress Xuanren's hand, Empress Yu saw a small pond of a slight scale, and on one side of the pond stood a rockery with strange rocks, elegant and chic. A waterfall cascaded down from the top of the rockery. A long, gently curved wooden arch bridge flies over the pond and faces the rockery. The natural color of the arch bridge seems to be red, but the red paint has been mottled, and the red hue has also been very light. The posture of the wooden arch bridge is extremely beautiful, like a suspended rainbow. In the middle of the arch bridge stands a delicate and beautiful pavilion, which is directly opposite the small waterfall on the rockery.

Queen Yu said: "It's really a hole." I didn't know that there was such a place in the palace. This bridge is so beautiful, how it looks so otherworldly. ”

Empress Xuanren said: "The queen has good eyesight. This is the Changhong Bridge, which was made by Emperor Dejia for his favorite Hong Jieyu. Hong Jieyu likes pink the most in her life, and her clothes, accessories, and makeup are mainly pink. Therefore, Emperor Dejia also made this Changhongqiao pink. Now, the pink color can no longer be seen, but the shape can still be seen. Although there is no original pink, judging from the shape alone, this Changhongqiao is really an exquisite design. If it is paired with the original pink, then this bridge is even more incomparable. ”

Queen Yu nodded and said, "No wonder this residual red looks so light, it turns out that its true color is pink." Pink is a little frivolous, so pink decoration is rarely used in palaces and palaces. Emperor Dejia actually built such a pink Changhong Bridge in this deep palace. It can be seen that he loves Hong Jieyu deeply. Thinking about that Hong Jieyu, she must be very happy, right? ”

Empress Xuanren smiled, shook her head and said: "Hong Jieyu is a peerless beauty, and she is talented, she is a lovely person in Emperor Dejia's later years, and she is extremely favored by Emperor Dejia. It's just that Hong Jieyu is too beautiful and clever, she was jealous of God, and she only entered the palace for a year, so she died. The reason why Emperor Dejia had no intention of ruling the government and insisted on abdicating to become the emperor was related to missing Hong Jieyu all day long. ”

Queen Yu sighed, "Hey. Emperor Dejia was a man of love. Among these emperors, I think that Emperor Dejia is unique. I had never heard this anecdote of the Emperor Dejia before. ”

Empress Xuanren took Queen Yu's hand and said with a smile: "You have a comfortable and heroic personality since you were a child, and you never like these stories of children's love and parents' shortcomings, how can you pay attention to these allusions to royal affairs?" Moreover, Fengde Palace has not been inhabited since the death of Emperor Dejia, and this Changhongqiao has long been forgotten. Queen, let's go to the gazebo on the Changhong Bridge to have a look. The beauty of this courtyard is actually in the gazebo. ”

Empress Xuanren gestured to the pavilion on the Changhong Bridge with her eyes. Empress Xuanren immediately understood, and Empress Xuanren wanted to go up to Changhong Bridge to avoid the surveillance of the people around her, so she turned her head and said, "Huaifu, you can wait here with someone." Empress Xuanren and I went to Changhong Bridge to have a look. Do not follow me, lest you disturb our spirits. ”

"Whoa." Huai Wu and the others promised.

Sure enough, "the best is in the gazebo". Standing in the gazebo, I noticed that a rainbow had formed in front of the waterfall. It is formed by the splashing water vapor of the waterfall and the reflection of sunlight.

Empress Xuanren pointed to the rainbow and said, "Queen, you see, the interlacing of rocks under this waterfall was carefully designed by craftsmen in order to make the waterfall splash when it falls, forming a rainbow. Moreover, this rainbow can only be seen in this small gazebo. ”

Queen Yu didn't answer, glanced at Huai Wu and the others in the distance, and said, "Okay, imperial sister-in-law." It's safe here. We can talk freely, right? ”

Empress Xuanren's impatience made Empress Xuanren laugh, so she smiled: "Say it." ”

"Imperial sister-in-law, I want to talk to you about the crops and ranks."

"Queen, what can be said between their cousins? I guess what you want to talk about should be about the crown prince, right? ”

Queen Yu was stunned for a moment, smiled dumbly, and said, "Exactly." Sister-in-law, we are both frank people, so I'll make it clear. Don't hide it from the emperor's sister-in-law, now, in the imperial court, there are many people who advocate the execution of the heirs of the first emperor such as Lu Jia, and the son of Tu You as the crown prince. ”

When Empress Yu said this, she deliberately stopped and looked at Empress Xuanren. But Empress Xuanren smiled and didn't say a word, and her expression didn't even change in any way.

Empress Yu chuckled in her heart, smiled awkwardly, and said: "Imperial sister-in-law, back then, at the beginning of the founding of Emperor Longwu, all the ministers advocated the execution of Zhou Duan, and even some of the noble clans and the widows of Dagao also advocated this. In the end, it was the imperial sister-in-law, who saved Zhou Duan's life with her own strength. I really have deep admiration for that. Thinking about the situation today, I also want to emulate the good deeds made by the imperial sister-in-law back then, and do my best to protect the imperial sister-in-law and the previous emperor. ”

Empress Xuanren still didn't have any expression, and said with a smile: "Supporting great merit is a rare opportunity to be rich and rich." Once it is successful, it will be the glory and wealth of several generations. I can imagine and it is not surprising that the ministers, and even the clansmen, privately told His Majesty to destroy the first emperor's lineage. In addition, His Majesty is well known among the clan and ministers, which is better than what the previous emperor had to do, and the ministers and the clan have advised so, and I think that they should have been for the great cause of His Majesty, and they were not just for their own selfish interests. Also, for the sake of the Great Zhaoshe, for the sake of long-term peace and stability, it is the due duty to appoint His Majesty's prince as the crown prince. This is very clear to me and Jia, and we will never fall in love with the stack. The reason why Jia insisted on resigning from the position of the crown prince and leaving the county of Canaan was also for this. Only in this way can His Majesty be able to choose the best among the current princes. ”

Empress Yu was stunned again, and said: "But Your Majesty has made it clear that in the future, he will restore the crown prince of Xiaojia and restore the throne to the line of Emperor Longwu." ”

Empress Xuanren smiled and said, "Queen, will a person as smart and wise as you believe these words?" ”

"Yes, what the royal sister-in-law said. The two of us are not in a lie. I don't believe these words. Even people in the world probably don't believe it. However, what I want to say is not whether we believe these words or not, but what impact these words will have on the brothers and sisters-in-law. ”

Empress Xuanren was stunned for a moment, and said slowly: "Then I want to ask the queen for advice." ”

"Hi, sister-in-law. I have something to advise. The imperial sister-in-law is a person who is accustomed to seeing the big situation, what political battles and palace fights have not seen, those twists and turns here, who can know better than you? The picture is that the crown prince is hanging in vain, we can see the mystery, and everyone can see the concubines and princes clearly. Such a measure is naturally beneficial to the society, which can stimulate the fighting spirit of the princes, so as to fully implement His Majesty's new policy; But for you and me, it's great news for us mothers. Imperial sister-in-law, you say, yes or no? ”

Empress Xuanren's smile finally dissipated, and she squinted her eyes and nodded: "The queen is really a big-minded person, and she has a clear understanding of the mysteries of the court and politics. You are very right, the position of the crown prince is very helpful, but it is extremely unfavorable to the crops and ranks. As soon as it comes, His Majesty's intention not to set up a rank as the crown prince and to choose a merit is already obvious, and it is estimated that the other princes are eager to try the position of the crown prince. Second, Jia has become a thorn in the side of all princes, and if they want to become princes, they will definitely get rid of Jia first. ”

Empress Yu realized that Empress Xuanren was finally moved, and she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Rui has no royal sister-in-law." However, there is one point, what the imperial sister-in-law said is not thorough enough. ”

Empress Xuanren said, "Oh? ”

Empress Yu said: "If other princes want to be princes, they have to get rid of it, but it's not just the crops." They're going to get rid of Chi'er. Zhi'er is the eldest son, and if there is no major fault, he must not pass him to set up another prince as the crown prince. Tuyu's move is simply to put the crops and the rank in the place where they must die. Tuyu. never expected that as soon as he succeeded to the throne, his temperament changed greatly. He's too ruthless! The queen's eyes showed a rare disappointment and frustration.

Empress Xuanren said: "Since the queen has said this, I have a sentence of heart, and I want to say it to you today." ”

"The imperial sister-in-law just speaks."

"The first emperor seemed to be stern and ruthless, but in fact he valued love and righteousness; His Majesty looks mellow and generous, but in fact he is ruthless. His Majesty's harmony and generosity are all his means of controlling the ministers and the clan, and His Majesty is deep and ruthless. You say, right? ”

Queen Yu said: "What the imperial sister-in-law said is very true. Because of this, I have no expectations for Tuyu. Imperial sister-in-law, in the current situation, Zhi'er and Xiaojia are closely related. In order to save the lives of our children, I am willing to form an alliance with the imperial sister-in-law. Now, our opponents are the same, that is, the other princes and their concubines, and of course, the backers of them. They not only want the life of the crop, but also want the life of the rank. ”

Empress Xuanren frowned and said, "Moreover, Xiaojia and Zhi'er are in the light, but they are in the dark. ”

"Yes, yes, yes. So, our situation is very critical, sister-in-law. We must join hands to form an alliance to overcome the difficulties together! Otherwise, Xiaojia and Zhi'er may die at any time. ”

Empress Xuanren smiled bitterly and said, "My current situation is tantamount to a caged bird. Queen, what's the best idea? ”

Empress Xuan Ren pinched Empress Xuanren's arm, and said in a firm tone: "My idea is that I and Luo Yuan will come forward and do our best to save Xiao Jia's life." In turn, the imperial sister-in-law will help me fight for the crown prince for Zhi'er. As long as Zhi'er succeeds to the throne, I guarantee that the imperial sister-in-law, Xiao Jia and the first emperor will always enjoy wealth and nobility, and will never worry about their lives. ”

It's a naked deal. Empress Xuanren didn't dare to agree rashly, after all, she was now claustrophobic, and there were hardly any cards in her hand.