After dealing with Guangdefang for nearly an hour, Pei Juncai slowly returned home in a carriage, unlike Cui Yuan's vigorous and resolute actions and seizing the opportunity in everything, Pei Jun's handling of the problem was like a wisp of green smoke circling up, not in a hurry or slow, but not leaking.

At a meeting in Guangdefang today, Cui Yuan first ordered the third division to be tried, and then used Xiangguo's specifications to shade Jiang Lian's two sons, and when he left, he ordered the Ministry of Rites Shilang Zhongyuan Zai to temporarily take charge of the daily affairs of the Ministry of Rites, and he was high-profile everywhere, obviously wanting to seize the initiative of appointing the new Ministry of Rites, but Pei Jun kept laughing and silent, he knew that Cui Yuan was just building momentum, and he would not get this position because of this, the appointment of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Rites needed to be discussed and decided by the cabinet, that is, at least four votes in favor, Cui Yuan except for himself and Wang, In addition to the three votes of the Yang two, what else can he get? He also has three votes, the key is still Wei Ge's vote, will he vote for Cui Yuan? No! So as long as Wei Ge is pulled over, this waiter of the Ministry of Rites must be him Pei Jun, the curtain of the power struggle has just opened, he is not in a hurry, let Cui Yuan sing first.

The carriage entered the Xuanyi Fang, and when it was still half a mile away from the mansion, it saw three hundred cavalry escorting the daughter's carriage coming towards it, and next to the carriage was followed by Zhang Huan, who was dressed in military uniform, and they saw Pei Jun's carriage coming back, and immediately stopped the carriage, Zhang Huan urged him to immediately step forward and salute Pei Jun: "Father-in-law, the son-in-law specially took Ying'er to visit my mother." ”

Pei Jun was really happy when he heard that he finally changed his words, so he smiled and said, "It's best that your mother can also attend tonight, after all, this is a matter of two families." Although it is simple, the number of land gifts cannot be lost. ”

Zhang Huan agreed, he made a salute, and was about to leave, but Pei Jun stopped him again, he groaned and said, "Do you know about the assassination of the waiter of the Ministry of Rites?" ”

"My son-in-law has heard about it."

"I'm afraid this is also related to the situation in Hexi. Come back early, and we'll discuss it together in the evening. ”

Zhang Huan nodded, and suddenly asked, "Father-in-law, but every year does my father-in-law go to Wei Ge to pay New Year's greetings?" ”

"In the first year of junior high school, Mingyuan has already gone." Pei Jun was a little surprised, so he asked, "What does the virtuous son-in-law mean by asking?" ”

Zhang Huan smiled and said, "If possible, I suggest that my father-in-law send Ming Kai to pay New Year's greetings to Wei Ge." In order to get the Ministry of Rites, Cui Yuan is likely to compromise with Wei Ge to get his vote, but as long as both Xiangguo have asked for him. I don't think Wercher would have said yes so easily. ”

Pei Jun squinted and smiled, he looked at Zhang Huan meaningfully and said, "It seems that I really want to talk to you about it." ”

"Go sick! Come over here. On the car window, Pei Ying's delicate and delicate hand beckoned to Zhang Huan, and Zhang Huan sped up his horse speed to catch up.

"What did you say to Daddy?" Pei Ying's face smiled like a delicate peony, she had already heard Ai Lang call her father, and she couldn't hide her joy.

"I said I would take you to see my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law asked me to take my mother to the house tonight. Speaking of her mother-in-law, Pei Ying was nervous and expectant, Zhang Huan's mother was the first beauty in Chang'an more than 20 years ago, and she was the eldest daughter of the Chu family. I heard that she was a monk, and I don't know if she will like herself, although she also knows that her mother-in-law's opinion can't change anything. But she still hopes that her mother-in-law can really like her.

"Go sick, you, do you think my mother-in-law won't see me?" Pei Ying looked at Zhang Huan a little nervously.

"No, she'll most likely meet you and not me." Zhang Huan smiled bitterly, his mother was weak on the outside but strong on the inside. This is highly likely. He was also going to take his mother to Wuwei this time, without Zhang Ruohao to take care of him. Leaving his mother alone in Chang'an, he really didn't feel at ease.

After Qujiang Pond, a group of people soon came to the Qiushui Temple, the Qiushui Temple still has no significant changes, the half-old gate, the plaque with peeling paint, except for a few sections of the broken wall that were repaired, last year's donation of 10,000 yuan had almost no impact.

A soldier stepped forward and knocked on the door, and soon, the door creaked open a crack, and the person who opened the door was still the black and thin female Taoist, she saw so many soldiers standing outside at first glance, she couldn't help but be startled, her face was a little white, and she stammered and couldn't speak, until she saw Zhang Huan, a heart was slightly lowered, and she immediately opened the door with a happy look. To inform her as quickly as possible, these are the three most important of the autumn water view, and everyone must memorize it.

Zhang Huan didn't dare to slack off, and immediately took out a letter and respectfully handed it to the black thin female Taoist priest, "Please transfer it to my mother first, and I'll wait outside." ”

The black thin female Taoist priest took the letter with some hesitation, she looked at the large group of sturdy soldiers outside, is this door open or closed? At this time, she saw from a distance that the Lord was surrounded by a group of elders, so she smiled kindly at Zhang Huan and turned to deliver the letter.

"Amitayus longevity, don't come unharmed?" The white and chubby viewer smiled and greeted Mimi, she didn't seem to be afraid of the large group of soldiers, no wonder, she only had money in her eyes, how could she see anything else?

Zhang Huan bowed, took out a flying ticket from his bosom and handed it to her: "This is this year's 5,000 pieces of incense money, please accept it with a smile." ”

The smile of the viewer suddenly became a little stiff, last year it was sent 10,000 guan, how did it become 5,000 guan this year, for ordinary people, the heart and hands are often coordinated with each other, but this Guan Zhu is not ordinary people, she hesitated and resented in her heart, but she did not hesitate at all, two white and fat fingers like radish pinched, and quickly transferred the five thousand guan money in Zhang Huan's hand to his own hand, and then disappeared.

"I am really dissatisfied with the donor, this year's prices have risen sharply, last year a bucket of rice only sold for 90 Wen, but this year it has risen to 130 Wen, I am afraid that outsiders will disturb your mother's practice, but also close the door, no longer accept incense, the price of rice has risen and the income has fallen, it is really difficult!"

"Rest assured, Lord. Later, if the Lord is willing to do me a favor, I will naturally offer the other 5,000 with both hands. ”

Zhang Huan said, he saw that the black thin female Taoist priest had come out, and couldn't help but nervously stepped forward, "What did my mother say?" ”

The female Taoist priest smiled bitterly and said, "Your mother let Miss Pei in, and Master Zhang is waiting outside." ”

Zhang Huan was stunned. After a while, he reluctantly called Pei Ying to his side and whispered to her, "You have to convince my mother to let her go back to Wuwei with me." ”

Pei Ying nodded, went in with the female Taoist, and walked through a long corridor. Walking through a bamboo forest again, Pei Ying entered a small courtyard, which was clean and tidy, covered with a thin layer of snow. A flock of birds were chirping on the snow to eat the broken wheat cakes, and next to them stood a handsome middle-aged Taoist aunt, who was slowly crumbling the wheat cakes in her hands and lightly scattering them lightly.

She felt something, turned her head and looked at the courtyard gate, and happened to glance at Pei Ying, although Pei Ying was conceited and beautiful, she was still shocked by the beautiful and dusty appearance of the middle-aged Dao Gudi, only to see that her skin was as greasy as jade, and her eyes were as bright as gems. Her eyes were as clear as water, without a single impurity, and Pei Ying took a deep breath. stepped forward and gave a deep salute, "Pei Ying sees Aunt Chu." ”

Chu Banglan hurriedly stepped forward to help Pei Ying up, looked her up and down again, and a knowing smile appeared in her eyes, "Huan'er said in the letter that you rode all the way to the west to follow him. I was thinking. What kind of strong and strong woman should this be, I didn't expect it to be such a beautiful and charming little lady. ”

Chu Banglan's speech was not fast. The voice was gentle, like spring water flowing through Pei Ying's heart, she suddenly had an inexplicable touch, so she shyly lowered her head and called: Mother-in-law!

"Child, it's cold outside, let's talk inside!" Chu Banglan lovingly took Pei Ying's hand and slowly walked into the house, the room was lit with a brazier, very warm, the furnishings were very simple, but spotless, a guqin was placed obliquely in front of the window, and a few late-blooming plums were inserted in the white jade bottle in front of the window, exuding a faint fragrance, showing the birth feelings of the owner of the room as calm as water.

Chu Banglan spread a soft mattress by the brazier, asked Pei Ying to sit down, looked at Pei Ying carefully, and sighed softly: "Your mother is Yan Fangfei, right?" I should have thought of the ground, it looks like it! ”

Pei Ying heard her mention her mother who she had never met, and a trace of gloom flashed in her eyes, she bowed her head and said nothing, Chu Banglan saw it, so she took her hand and said with a smile: "Speaking of it, it is also a kind of fate, Chu Pei and the two families have been friends for generations, my father just wanted to promise me to the Pei family, but unfortunately he did not fulfill his wish, but I didn't expect my son to marry the daughter of the Pei family in the end, which makes people have to sigh that fate makes people." ”

"Mother-in-law! Or let the sick come in. After being silent for a while, Pei Ying suggested softly.

"No, that bull will definitely persuade me to go to Hexi, if I don't go, he will definitely threaten the Mingxin Lord, what to tear down her Vision, cut off her incense money, etc., and the Enlightened Mind Lord's crying and begging me."

Chu Banglan took out a package, handed it to Pei Ying and said with a smile: "You are a very smart woman, I can rest assured that you are behind him to help him, there are some things left by his father in this package, you can give it to him together!" ”

Pei Ying took the package, and when she heard her tone, she didn't want to follow, so she couldn't help but say anxiously: "But if my mother-in-law doesn't go, if she is taken as a hostage by someone with a heart, won't she be passive everywhere in Hexi?" ”

Chu Wanlan showed a knowing smile on her face, she brushed the green silk on her forehead, and said unhurriedly: "I didn't say I wouldn't go, I just didn't want him to speak, do you understand what I mean?" ”

Pei Ying suddenly understood, this was the meeting gift that Chu Banglan gave herself, what a smart woman.

Zhang Huan placed his mother in the spring house of Yongjiafang, and left a hundred personal soldiers to protect him, and hurried back to Pei's house with Pei Ying, at this time it was already dark, and only one lantern was usually hung in front of the gate of Pei's house, but today it was quietly hung with eight lanterns, which was called a beautiful name, washing the dust for the new aunt, but everyone who understands knows that today is actually a young lady's marriage.

Pei's mansion covers a huge area, there are many pavilions and pavilions, there is a small lake in the back garden, this mansion covering an area of hundreds of acres lives Pei Jun and his more than 20 sons, plus countless maids and servants, there are thousands of people, most of Pei Jun's sons are officials outside, it is the New Year, Pei Jun specially repaired the book to call them back one by one, so that the mansion is particularly lively. As soon as the sky was dark, Pei's mansion was bright, laughing and noisy, and hundreds of banquets were set up, eating and drinking at will, and everyone in the house was rewarded with money. It's a little more lively than Chinese New Year's Eve and Shangyuan Eve.

As soon as Pei Ying entered the mansion, she was welcomed into the inner courtyard by a group of sisters and sisters-in-law, and Zhang Huan was quietly invited to Pei Jundi's study by Pei Mingyuan.

There were already several people waiting for him in the study, Pei Jun, Pei You, and Chu Xingshui, while Pei Mingyuan and his eldest son Pei Mingkai stood aside and listened, and saw Zhang Huan come in. Pei Jun hurriedly greeted him, he was an extremely careful person, although Zhang Huan was already his son-in-law, Zhang Huan was by no means as attached to him as other sons-in-law. He is a prince with his own territory, and to some extent he is on an equal footing with himself, so he can accept his respect in public, but in private, he Pei Jun must show equality between the two, and must not be condescendingly scrutinized.

"Why don't you bring your mother here, or I'll go myself." As soon as Pei Jun saw Zhang Huanmian, he complained a little.

Zhang Huan smiled apologetically, "Mother is used to being pure, and she has accepted Ying'er." So she let her uncle have full authority to represent her. ”

Speaking of this, he smiled and looked at Chu Xingshui behind Pei Jun, and Chu Xingshui was stunned. Immediately overjoyed, Zhang Huan meant that his sister had forgiven herself, he was happy, pulled Zhang Huan and smiled: "You are finally willing to recognize me as an uncle now, come!" Come! Sit down! ”

Pei You also bowed his hand to Zhang Huan. Make a sit-down motion. Zhang Huan sat down, and Pei Mingyuan went to the door and clapped his hands. Immediately came in and a few maids served them tea.

The study slowly quieted down, and the sound of laughter in the distance could be faintly heard, Pei Jun coughed lightly, and said to Zhang Huan first: "We have to discuss the matter of the waiter of the Ministry of Rites this time, you are already a member of my Pei family, so you should attend this meeting." ”

Zhang Huan nodded silently, didn't say anything, Pei Jun glanced at everyone again, and then said slowly: An hour ago, Cui Yuan asked for an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the position of the waiter of the Ministry of New Rites, but I hope that this problem will be resolved in the day after tomorrow, after the seven cabinet ministers expressed their positions respectively, the queen mother made the decision, on the surface, Cui Xiaofu is Cui Yuan's sister, and it should be biased towards him, but in fact, on the contrary, she will oppose Cui Yuan's proposal, if the situation is unfavorable to us, Cui Xiaofu will definitely end the court, so, I have already rejected Cui Yuan's proposal to convene an emergency cabinet meeting on the pretext of being ill, and I have postponed the vote until the day after tomorrow. ”

Speaking of this, he pondered for a while, and said: "No matter who is responsible for Jiang Lian's death this time, the seat of the waiter of the Ministry of Rites has been vacated, I want this seat, Cui Yuan also wants, of course, the last one may be to set up left and right waiters, and the two families each occupy a seat, but unless it is absolutely necessary, this plan will never be adopted, and now I want you to talk about how to get the waiter of the Ministry of Rites." ”

He glanced at Chu Xingshui, and said with a smile: "Brother Runze, let's talk first!" ”

Chu Xingshui was in a good mood today, and when he saw Pei Jun asking him first, he smiled happily and said: "I guess Wei Ge will not support both sides, sit and watch Cui Pei's two families fight, and he will also throw out his own candidates, so in the end, it is likely to form a three-on-three-to-one complex situation, in this way, as Pei Xiang said, in the end, the two families reached a compromise and set up two waiters on the left and right, but who will be the right waiter?" I think the key is the selection of the waiters of each family's rite department, and it depends on who recommends the person who is excellent. ”

"What do you think of the second brother?" Pei Jun asked Pei Youdao again.

"I support Chu Shangshu's opinion, big brother should be cautious when choosing candidates." Pei You didn't talk much, but he was the second person in the Pei family, and his words were very weighty, and at the end he added, "Fang Xiu has no state and county experience, so I suggest that the eldest brother give up on him!" ”

In order to promote Yang Guozhong to Xiangguo, Li Longji specially let him go to Shu County for half a year, so as not to be criticized, and Fang Xiu has always been an official in Beijing, although the Fang family is a famous family in the Tang Dynasty and has a considerable network base, if in normal times, he can also be a waiter, but this time he is competing for the seat with Cui Yuan, and he can be refuted in one sentence.

Pei Jun nodded, the second brother's suggestion was extremely important, and he adopted it, but who would take this position? Pei Jun didn't have a suitable candidate for a while, he saw that it was not too early, so he put this matter aside for a while, turned back to his eldest son Pei Mingkai and said: "Early tomorrow morning, you will go to Wei Shangshu to pay New Year's greetings on behalf of your father, and the ceremony should be more serious." ”

Pei Mingkai is Pei Jun's eldest son, about thirty-five or sixteen years old, humble and kind, knowledgeable, unfortunately he lame his left foot, which greatly affected his status and career in the family, so although he is nominally the heir to the head of the family, but he did not get the title of the head of the family, and he has only been an official for ten years and has only done six grades of the prince Si Lang, and in the last year or two, the second Pei Mingyao and the third Pei Mingqian have been aggressive, and their prestige and rank in the court have surpassed him, and in front of his father, the fifth Pei Mingyuan is more favored than him, Therefore, in Pei's house, there began to be an uncertain statement of the head of the family.

Pei Mingkai agreed, but the fifth brother had already given Wei Ge a New Year's greeting, and the Wei family was about to marry a daughter-in-law, was his father mistaken, he wanted to ask but didn't dare, but he was afraid that there would be no chance, so after hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn't help but say: "Father."

Before the question could be spoken, Zhang Huan next to him interrupted him with a smile, "Father-in-law just wants to pay a New Year's greeting for the second time, so that Wei Ge knows that he is not here, this matter is very important, and the burden on the eldest brother is not light!" ”

Pei Mingkai suddenly realized in his heart, but at the same time, he was shocked into a cold sweat, if he asked this, he would definitely be reprimanded by his father, he glanced at Zhang Huan gratefully, and then stopped talking.

Pei Jun glanced at Zhang Huan and said with a slight smile: "It seems that I forgot about you, and you are not willing to be lonely here?" Then you can talk about it too! ”

"I also agree with my uncle and second uncle's opinion, but--" Speaking of which, Zhang Huandi showed a mysterious smile on his face, "Soldier, treacherous, my suggestion is to repair the plank road and secretly cross Chen Cang, and my father-in-law may wish to meet with Fang Xiu frequently to create an illusion for Cui Yuan, and then we will find a way to find out Cui Yuandi's candidate and find out his weaknesses, which is called knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent, and not being defeated in a hundred battles." ”

Ming repaired the plank road and secretly crossed Chen Cang, Pei Jun read it twice, and then smiled happily: "This is called three stinkers, top one Zhuge Liang, this matter is so decided, I will arrange them one by one, it is not early now, everyone is waiting for us, let's go!" ”

Everyone stood up with a smile, and just as they were going out, Chu Xingshui suddenly found that Zhang Huan gave him a look, so he smiled quietly: "I still have to say a few words to my nephew, you go first, and we will arrive later." ”

On a path leading to the path, Chu Xingshui and Zhang Huan walked slowly side by side, and under their feet were ** ice slag, crunch! Crunch! The ground rang.

"Did your mother really ask me to represent her?"

"Yes, although my mother has a grudge against you, but after all, you are brothers and sisters, after a while, she was angry, and she also looked down on the past, and today she also mentioned her grandfather to Pei Ying."

"I wonder when I'll see her again?" Chu Xingshui let out a long breath of white air into the night sky, turned around and asked Zhang Huan, "Say it!" What do you have to tell me! ”

Zhang Huan pondered for a while, and then smiled frankly: "Don't hide it from my uncle, I killed Jiang Lian." "What?" Chu Xingshui was taken aback, he stared at Zhang Huan for a long time before he asked in a low voice, "Why did you kill him?" ”

Zhang Huan casually broke off a branch and said with a faint smile: "It's very simple, I hope that my father-in-law will give up the waiter of the Ministry of Rites to Cui Yuan in exchange for Duan Xiushi's position as the envoy of Shuofang Jiedu." ”

Chu Xingshui pondered for a while, and then said, "I understand what you mean, but Pei Jun has been planning for the Ministry of Rites for a long time, I'm afraid he won't agree easily." ”

"I know, but I'd like to give it a try."

Chu Xingshui didn't speak, and after walking for a while, he asked again, "Then how do you want me to help you?" ”

Zhang Huan smiled and said, "I want to ask my uncle to talk to him first and tell him that this is actually Cui Xiaofu's favor." ”

Chu Xingshui nodded, "Okay! I'll talk to him tomorrow, and then you can persuade him. ”

At this time, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps from the front, and I saw a large group of Pei family ladies running towards them with things, and when they saw Zhang Huan, they shouted: "New aunt, just wait for you to enter the table, and the master will let us change your clothes." ”

After saying that, one of them shook off a bright red wedding robe.