On the third day after the decree was issued, the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs personally sent masks to the Xiaoyao Mansion.

The mask was not of gold or silver, but was made of mahogany, and the wood was polished so brightly that it only covered half of the face, and under the eye sockets, a Buddha seal was engraved.

The Buddha seal depicts the gold edge, which is filled with cinnabar, revealing two points of weirdness, like some kind of mysterious seal, sealing the monster that drinks blood.

But the truth is, it's just a toddler.

The masks were specially made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, from small to large, with a total of twenty masks.

No more, no less twenty, this number is so subtle that it is unsettling.

Su Li didn't know if he hoped that Chu Gua would not live to be twenty years old, or if as long as Chu Gu lived to be twenty years old, he would no longer interfere in Chu Gua's life.

After a few days of tossing and turning, Su Li still entered the palace.

She was now the Lady of Xiaoyaohou, and the palace people respectfully took her to the imperial garden and offered a brazier and hot tea.

It has been snowing for several days in a row, and the sky has not yet cleared, and the dark clouds are gathered together, which is not refreshing to see.

This year, the snow in Saibei and Hudi is heavy, and I am afraid that the ministers of the DPRK and China will quarrel again about disaster relief today.

Su Li drank tea, her knees were faintly itchy, and the palace people actually sent a stove and knee pads.

"Master Hou specially told the Ministry of Internal Affairs that Madame is not in good health, and if Madame enters the palace in winter, she must prepare these for Madame."

The palace man half-knelt in front of Su Li and explained in a whisper, Su Li listened, her face was a little hot, and she didn't know when Chu Huai'an did this.

"Madam, please sit down for a while, and wait for Your Majesty to go down soon."

Su Li bowed her head and hugged the soup woman tightly: "Okay, I'm not in a hurry." ”

The palace people bowed and retreated, Su Li sat alone, and after a while, the sound of footsteps came, and when he turned around, a little boy of six or seven years old ran over.

The little boy was wearing a bright yellow brocade robe, with a unicorn embroidered with gold silk on his clothes, and a gold silk jade crown on his head, his face was like jade, and he looked like Chu Lingzhao at a glance.

At a glance, Su Li recognized him as the crown prince Chu Shen, who had replaced Chu Gua's identity and had just been canonized half a year ago.

Su Li didn't know that he was An Ruoshang's son, and he was originally an orthodox prince, but now seeing him like this, he only felt that Chu Lingzhao was very good at picking people, and he actually picked out such a child who was born with imperial prestige.

With all kinds of thoughts in his heart, Su Li didn't show it at all, got up and saluted: "I've seen His Royal Highness the Prince!" ”

"But the little imperial aunt of the Xiaoyao Mansion?"

Chu Shen asked, with one hand behind his back, his little face slightly stiff, looking like an old adult.

He tried his best to make himself look majestic, but he was extremely cute in the eyes of people, Su Li couldn't help laughing: "It's the courtier!" ”

Chu Shen's eyes lit up slightly, and he bowed to Su Li in a decent manner: "Shen'er has seen the little imperial aunt." ”

He is the crown prince and the only heir under Chu Lingzhao's knees, and he is carefully taught by the prime minister and the prince, so he is naturally polite.

He was well raised, and Su Li couldn't have any ill will towards such a young child.

Guagua is innocent, why is he wrong?

Su Li helped Chu Shen up, and Chu Shen took a purse from his waist and handed it to Su Li.

"I heard that a few days ago was the first birthday banquet of Yue'er's cousin, and my father did not bring Shen'er to attend, but I happened to see the imperial aunt today, please transfer this gift to Yue'er's cousin."

Chu Shen said reasonably, frowned and thought about it after speaking, and then took off a piece of white jade seed and handed it to Su Li: "I heard that there is a cousin of the same age as me in the house, let's give him this as a gift!" ”

He was very angry, Su Li did not refuse, and accepted it for Chu Gua: "His Royal Highness Prince Xie!" ”

After giving the gift, Chu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, and finally showed a little playfulness that a child of this age should have, and secretly looked at Su Li.

After watching it for a long time, Su Li couldn't help but wonder: "What does His Royal Highness the Crown Prince do with me like this?" ”

Being caught, Chu Shen was a little embarrassed, bowed his head uncomfortably, and twisted his hands tightly together: "They all said...... said that the imperial uncle didn't like me, I thought the imperial aunt was also ...... Don't like me either. ”

Chu Shen said slowly, his little face was a little red, Su Li's heart was abrupt, he was already a prince, who would dare to chew this kind of tongue in front of him?

"Who told His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the Hou Ye didn't like His Highness?"

"Some time ago, my father asked Uncle Huang to teach me to ride and shoot, but Uncle Huang refused."

Chu Shen looked at Su Li and said, with a little grievance in his eyes, Su Li rubbed his head and was relieved: "Your cousin is still young, and the imperial uncle can't wait to carry her in his pocket all the time, so he refused His Majesty's edict, it's not that he doesn't like you." ”

Su Li's voice was very soft, it was easy for people to feel close, Chu Shen's eyes lit up, and he was about to say something more, when a group of palace people surrounded a woman in gorgeous clothes and walked slowly.

"Mother!"

Chu Shen stood up straight and called loudly, Su Li withdrew her hand and bowed to An Ruolan Yingying: "The courtiers meet the concubine!" ”

Chu Lingzhao has not been established, Su Wanyue is dead, and there has been no draft recruit in the palace over the years, so An Ruolan is now the person with the highest ranking in the palace.

"Ah Li doesn't have to be so polite."

An Ruolan said lightly, I haven't seen her for a long time, her appearance has not changed, but she has a little more mature charm on her body.

The An family was copied, the queen mother died, although there was no An family and the queen mother's protection, but now the prince Chu Shen is raised under her knees, that is, there will be a new person entering the palace in the future, and her status will be unshakable.

When she approached, Chu Shen immediately walked to her side, grabbed her hand affectionately, An Ruolan stuffed the stove into his hand, and said with a smile on his face: "Did Shen'er say hello to the imperial aunt just now?" ”

"Yes! The rules that the mother concubine taught Shen'er on weekdays, Shen'er has always kept in mind! ”

Chu Shen replied seriously, eager to prove himself, and couldn't help but cast a look at Su Li for help, Su Li immediately spoke: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is gentle and polite, and the noble concubine has taught him very well." ”

An Ruolan bowed slightly, leaned over to help Chu Shen tidy up his clothes, and didn't look at Su Li: "This palace is also a famous family, and I will raise Shen'er to be an outstanding prince!" ”

Her tone was unclear, with a faint thorn in it, which made people feel uncomfortable.

An's house was raided, An Jue died tragically, and it had something to do with Su Li, and it was normal for her to have knots in her heart.

"That's what the mother said."

Su Li smiled lightly and agreed, not wanting to argue with An Ruolan, An Ruolan no longer dwelled on this topic, and said in a soothing tone: "Now that there is only Shen'er in the palace, it is too lonely, Ah Li might as well take Yue'er into the palace for a walk." ”

This sounded very polite, but Chu Shen couldn't hear it, and looked up at Su Li, who had no choice but to answer with a smile: "Yes." ”

An Ruolan didn't stay long, and quickly took Chu Shen back to review his homework, and Su Li watched them leave, with mixed feelings in her heart.

It didn't take long for Chu Lingzhao to go down to court, and the palace people led Su Li to the imperial study.

The charcoal fire in the imperial study was very burning, and the two stacks of folds on the imperial case were piled high, and Chu Lingzhao was sitting in front of the case, rubbing his eyebrows tiredly.

Su Li didn't speak immediately, and sat quietly.

The palace people served him ginseng tea, he took a sip and put it down, raised his hand and threw a fold at Su Li's feet.

The folds were scattered, and Su Li swept them at a glance and saw that it was written that the Hudi snow disaster was serious

However, it was only a glance, and Su Li quickly looked away.

The palace people waiting in the room were silent, staring at the fold at Su Li's feet in a daze.

"Pick it up for me!"

Or Chu Lingzhao couldn't help but be the first to speak, Su Li got up and presented the fold to him, Chu Lingzhao didn't answer, and looked at Su Li coldly: "Ah Li, do you know what is written on this?" ”

It's the same routine again, knowing that this person is determined to ask, Su Li didn't pretend to be stupid: "Please forgive your majesty, the courtiers just accidentally took a look, and it seems that the fold is about the snow disaster at the border pass." ”

Su Li answered, Chu Lingzhao's face was a little better, and he stretched out his hand to take the fold: "Since you read it, what do you think?" ”

"The courtiers are willing to give three thousand taels of silver from the dowry for disaster relief."

Chu Lingzhao asked what Su Li thought, and Su Li's donation was also in her own name.

"Do you think I'm short of money?"

Chu Lingzhao asked coldly, in the past two years, Yuanzhao's trade with other countries has become increasingly close, and the treasury is full, of course Su Li knows that he is not short of disaster relief food.

"The courtiers are just a woman, except for the money for disaster relief, the courtiers don't know what else to do."

Su Li pretended to be stupid, Chu Lingzhao was very irritable, and no longer played Tai Chi with her: "The Hu people have just returned to Shun, and there are still many dissatisfactions, others escort the disaster grain to go, I am not at ease, Ah Li thinks who in the court can do this?" ”

Speaking of which, Chu Lingzhao's intentions were actually obvious, but Su Li didn't pierce the last layer of window paper: "Whose name does Your Majesty want to hear from the courtiers?" ”

"I have two candidates in mind."

Chu Lingzhao also had a showdown, looking at Su Li with sharp eyes.

"Yue'er has just turned one year old, and the Hou Ye has a bond, so he has a weakness, he dared to resist the decree and not be the prince and the prince, but now he naturally dares to work against His Majesty."

Su Li said it to the point and straightforwardly, Chu Lingzhao was not surprised by this answer, and continued to ask: "What about Lu Ji?" ”

"Your Majesty, do you want to rely on your righteous brother to support the entire Yuanzhao? What if he dies on the battlefield one day? ”

Su Li said bluntly, when she was in danger, she was forced by the situation, and there was no one in the court, since Chu Lingzhao had rectified the dynasty over the years, it was impossible not to promote a person who could be used.

Chu Lingzhao was silent, and his face was not very good-looking.

In the past few years, his throne has gradually stabilized, and Zhao Hanzhuo's speech in front of him has been restrained, so he has not heard such harsh words for a long time.

Lu Ji was in the prime of life, and Chu Huai'an was in town, and he hadn't thought much about the lack of generals.

"The first emperor relied on the martyrs to settle down in his middle age, and then the national fortune was prosperous, so he relied on the civil ministers, and only one of the towns and the princes guarded the border passes, and now the Hu people surrendered, but no one can predict the future, didn't Your Majesty ever think about the future of Yuanzhao?"

Su Li raised her voice slightly, and the graceful atmosphere of Mrs. Xiaoyao Hou was undoubtedly revealed.

She is not a concubine abandoned by Shangshu Mansion now, she is Mrs. Xiaoyaohou, her husband, and the hussar general who included Hudi in the territory of Yuanzhao!

So she has the confidence to question today.

Chu Lingzhao was shocked by Su Li's momentum, a little surprised and had some vague regret.

How good would it be if his queen could have such a strategy?

"Do you know that what you just said is enough to kill your head?"

Chu Lingzhao asked, his face was solemn, but his eyes had melted.

"The courtiers know that what the courtiers say next should be enough for His Majesty to put the courtiers to death."

"What else do you want to say?"

Chu Lingzhao asked with interest, and finally relaxed his brows that had been locked for several days.

"Your Majesty gave my son Chu Qian twenty masks a few days ago, I don't know what Your Majesty means?"

Su Li asked, using the identity of Chu Gua's mother.

"I want to give it to him, Ah Li has an opinion?"

Chu Lingzhao said confidently that he was the Son of Heaven and the Ninety-Five Supreme, and there was nothing he should and could not do in this world.

Su Li nodded very naturally: "Qian'er is my son, although his face is a little different from ordinary people, but it is not impossible to see people, His Majesty forcibly asked him to cover his face, and also cut off his career, this is ...... What does that mean? ”

The last rhetorical question, Su Li paused for a moment before speaking, she turned her head and looked at Chu Lingzhao, and she was frank and upright.

"What do I mean, Ah Li doesn't know?"

"Please forgive your majesty for the foolishness of the courtiers, the courtiers do not know."

On the issue of Chu Gua, Su Li's attitude was much tougher than before, and Chu Lingzhao's face gradually condensed: "Do you think that with his life experience, I will let him inherit the title?" ”

"How the Hou Ye wants to decide is a matter for their father and son, wouldn't it be strange that His Majesty would intervene so forcibly?"

Xiaoyao Houfu is now a Chu Gua and a Chu Yue'an, Chu Yue'an's full moon, 100 days and first birthday have been wantonly operated, and the nobles in Beijing have also given heavy gifts, but Chu Gua, the eldest son, rarely appears in front of the world, Chu Lingzhao's decree, the contrast between the two children is too big, where does Chu Gua seem to be biological?

"Isn't that something Ali should think about?"

Chu Lingzhao narrowed his eyes and said, a little bad want to see Su Li's emotions out of control, Chu Gua is his son, but since Su Li wants to leave Chu Gua's life behind, he has to find a way to cover up his life for him.

"Your Majesty, I also have my own daughter now, I have more worries and weaknesses than before, you can threaten me and Hou Ye with Qian'er or Yue'er, but you should also know that I and Hou Ye can pay any price in order to get rid of this threat!"

Su Li said categorically, her eyes brightened amazingly.

She and Chu Huai'an have very different temperaments, but they have one thing in common, they basically do what they say.

Chu Huai'an has lived a carefree life in this life, even if he has a daughter now, this stinky temper has not been restrained in the slightest.

Su Li's words were full of provocation, and the imperial spirit in Chu Lingzhao's bones was forced out by her: "Any price? Ah Li, this is a threat to me? ”

"It's not a threat, it's just a fact, when the courtiers went to Hudi, Your Majesty promised that when I come back, you will protect me without worry, presumably Your Majesty may have made such a promise to Hou Ye, and now that I have only been married to Hou Ye for a year, does Your Majesty want to break the promise without faith?"

Su Li has never been the kind of person who will be manipulated by others, but now that she is a wife and a mother, she will not risk her life, and she will not let Chu Huaian and her two children fall into danger.

Chu Lingzhao has passed the age of standing, but he didn't expect that there would still be people in front of him saying that he didn't believe what he said! Could this woman be a little too bold?

"Su Li, do you really think I won't get angry?"

"The courtiers knew that Your Majesty would be angry, but the courtiers wanted Your Majesty to know that the rebellion of the An family back then was not for nothing, and for the monarch, it was the people's will in the end!"

If the people support it, it will reign over the world, and if the people rebel, the family and country will be overturned!

Chu Lingzhao shot the case, as if he was on real fire, Su Li knelt down calmly: "Your Majesty wants to stabilize the country and be a generation of Ming Jun, and it is inevitable to promote capable generals, which is the trend of the times; Qian'er is the eldest son of the Marquis of Xiaoyao, and he is the flesh and blood of the Hou Ye, His Majesty can not allow him to enter the palace, or he can not be allowed to enter the court as an official, but the courtiers ask His Majesty not to interfere in his life, and the courtiers and the Hou Ye will do their best to protect him for a lifetime! ”

Su Li said two things, first, escorting disaster relief grain to Saibei and Hudi was a good time for Chu Lingzhao to promote military generals, and Chu Huai'an and Lu Ji were not the best candidates; Second, Chu Gua has already entered the door of the Xiaoyao Hou Mansion, and he is the person of the Xiaoyao Hou Mansion, and she and Chu Huai'an treat him and Chu Yue'an equally.

"Su Li, you are so bold!"

Chu Ling Zhao drank vigorously, his face was pale, and Su Li slammed his head on the ground: "Your Majesty, courtiers have always been like this!" ”

At the beginning, she dared to go to the palace alone to sue the emperor, and now her performance is reasonable.

The imperial study fell silent, only Chu Lingzhao's slightly rapid breathing.

Su Li knelt on the ground, with only a simple woman's hair bun on her head, an emerald hairpin inserted, and under the navy blue collar, a small section of lotus white neck was exposed, slender and weak, as if it could be broken with a slight pinch, but it was terrifyingly stubborn.

I don't know how long it took, but the palace people outside the door reported: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Xiaoyao asks to see you!" ”

"Nope!"

Chu Ling Zhao drank vigorously, and the palace people were silent, so they probably went back.

After being quiet for a while, Chu Lingzhao finally calmed down, he couldn't move Su Li, and he couldn't move Chu Huai'an, he still needed the hussar army in Chu Huai'an's hand to contain Lu Ji's forces and balance the situation in the DPRK and China.

Every word Su Li just said was very reasonable, he needed to rely on the new generals, and when the right time came, he could unload Chu Huai'an and Lu Ji's military power and empty them.

Until then, he needs to make certain concessions.

"What do you think will happen if I can't get out of this door today?"

"The courtiers believe that Your Majesty will not do this."

Su Li said softly, oil and salt do not enter.

After a long time, Chu Lingzhao finally smiled again: "Ah Li is right, I won't do this. ”

As he spoke, Chu Lingzhao helped Su Li up with his own hands, his face was gentle, and he didn't look angry at all, Su Li stood firm, and was just about to retreat and salute, when his wrist was grabbed by Chu Lingzhao.

"What Ah Li just said is reasonable, I can not interfere in that child's life in the future, but if I find out that he has had any bad influence on my crown prince, I will not hesitate to eradicate him!"

He used the word eradication, as if Chu Gua was some kind of unsightly weed.

"The courtiers will take to heart what Your Majesty said today!"

Su Li replied with low eyebrows, this appearance made Chu Lingzhao feel a little more comfortable, and unconsciously let go of his hand, Su Li immediately retreated and bowed his head to salute.

"Your Majesty, if nothing happens......"

"Get out!"

Chu Lingzhao directly ordered, sat down in front of the desk again and took the fold and read it, Su Lifu left, and as soon as he went out, he collided with Chu Huai'an, who was rushing in.

Su Li fell backwards unsteadily, Chu Huai'an quickly grabbed her belt into his arms, Su Li reacted quickly and grabbed Chu Huai'an's arm: "I'm fine, I'll talk about it when I go home." ”

Chu Huai'an didn't move, staring at her forehead with an unkind face: "Why is your forehead red?" Did he make you kowtow? ”

This person was so anxious that he didn't even say anything to His Majesty, and called him 'him'.

"Nope."

Su Li lied without changing her face, where was Chu Huai'an willing to believe her, and she was about to go in to find Chu Lingzhao's theory, but Su Li pinched her waist twice: "I'm hungry, go home and eat!" ”

“……”

"Not leaving? My daughter can't find her father, but she wants to cry! Su Li moved out of the killer feature of the little girl, Chu Huai'an took a step, and finally carried Su Li out of the palace.

Sitting in the carriage of the Hou Mansion, Chu Huai'an's face stinked again, and he pressed Su Li in his arms and carefully checked her knees.

"I'm really fine!" Su Li emphasized loudly, Chu Huai'an didn't speak, helped her pull her trouser legs, and stuffed the heater in the car into her arms.

"I'm not cold, it's going to be hot with this."

Su Li muttered quietly, and just wanted to put the stove aside, but Chu Huai'an slapped the knife: "Hold!" Aren't you here for a little day? Stomach doesn't hurt anymore? ”

“……”

Su Li blushed, but she didn't expect Chu Huai'an to still remember this, and she couldn't help but feel empty.

Chu Huai'an hugged Su Li in a low pressure and didn't speak again, went all the way back to the Hou Mansion, and immediately summoned the housekeeper: "It's been snowing for the past few days, and the ground is very slippery, didn't I say that Mrs. is not allowed to go out?" Who sent the lady to the palace? ”

The housekeeper was old, and his eyes were not good, so he didn't see Chu Huai'an's drooping face, and replied happily: "Madame said that she was bored at home, and she wanted to go out to see the snow scene by herself, so the old slave picked a sweaty BMW for Madame that the Hu people paid tribute this year, and Madame likes that horse!" ”

Chu Huai'an: "......"

The master is here to ask for sin, you old man is still in a hurry to receive the reward?

Chu Huai'an thought about Shuwei with a calm face, and listened to the housekeeper again: "Didn't Master Hou say a long time ago that we will all listen to Madame in the future?" Madam is happy, our Hou Mansion is happy from top to bottom, why isn't Lord Hou happy today? ”

Chu Huai'an: "......"

Shut up, butler!

Chu Huai'an drove the housekeeper away with a black face, and Qibao brought the little girl and Chu Gua to play with Su Li for a while.

The two children quickly became sleepy, Qibao took them to rest, and the next person sent hot water to bathe Su Li, Su Li just walked into the ear room, Chu Huai'an followed in, and pasted it from behind: "On a snowy day, I took advantage of my absence from the court to secretly ride a horse into the palace alone?" Well? ”

He had not yet lost his breath, and as he spoke, his hands were restless.

After the little girl was born, Su Li and his energy were mostly scattered to the child, the two had not been close for a long time, Su Li's face was hot, and she was a little ashamed: "I am very good at riding, I will be fine." ”

"Oh? How good is it? ”

Chu Huai'an asked, his voice hoarse, a sentence that was originally quite normal, was stained with ambiguity that made people blush.