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There are many members of the Wang family, most of them are honest and responsible farmers, they are not used to wearing fancy clothes, and their language is vulgar, and they need to be taught by the Ministry of Etiquette every sentence in order not to show their stuffing when they meet the Empress Dowager Cining, but at the subsequent family banquet, they slowly show their true nature.

Empress Dowager Cining is not disgusted, the so-called vulgarity is actually simple, that is the hometown dialect, she still has a slight impression, it sounds very kind, but she also understands that she can't find anyone available in her family, so she can only cultivate the next generation well, and after a few years, the Wang family may be able to soar and become a family.

After thinking about it, she sent someone to write a letter to her eldest brother, naming a brother-in-law who had read a book to read to him and explain.

The eunuch soon returned, bringing the original words of the royal brother: "Yuan Daguan'er did say that he was married, I thought I was a farmer, and I couldn't afford to climb high, so I didn't agree at that time, I only said, 'The child is still young, I'll discuss it later', I really don't know that this matter will cause trouble." Now that the Queen Mother has said it, I understand that I will never associate with big and small officials in the future, and the Queen Mother has rewarded so many good things, and I can afford it for a few lifetimes. It's just that the princess in the family is sad and looks forward to seeing the queen mother again. ”

Empress Dowager Cining nodded, this answer was not decent, but it was more in line with her wishes.

After settling the family matter, the Empress Dowager Cining went to Guanghua Pavilion, and the prime minister Shen Mingzhi and the official secretary Feng Ju had been waiting there for a while.

"Why is Yuan Jiuding so arrogant?"

Empress Dowager Cining's questioning made the two ministers stunned, glanced at each other, and affirmed: "Shu Chen and others are stupid, what did Lord Yuan do to anger the Empress Dowager?" ”

"The imperial court sent Yuan Jiuding to the East China Sea Kingdom to find out the truth and escort my family into Beijing, but he privately asked for marriage with the Wang family, doesn't he know how to avoid suspicion?"

It is not uncommon for ministers to marry their relatives, but there is an unwritten rule that it cannot be carried out in private, not to mention the children of each family, even the parents do not have the right to designate for life, but must report to the palace, and the emperor and the queen mother decide, at most make a suggestion, hoping to marry a certain family.

Yuan Jiuding privately courted and committed a taboo.

Shen Mingzhi frowned slightly, and was silent, Feng Ju had no choice but to speak: "This matter is true? ”

"Although the Wang family hasn't read much, but they are honest, Lord Feng won't think they are lying, right?"

Feng Ju hurriedly bowed and saluted, "The minister doesn't dare, in this way, Lord Yuan really did something inappropriate." ”

The anger on the face of the Empress Dowager Cining did not subside, "According to the rules, how should this kind of thing be handled?" ”

Shen Mingzhi still bowed his head and remained silent, since he became the prime minister, he began to imitate Yin harmless, pretending to be confused, pretending to be contemplative, in short, trying to stay out of the matter, but the heat was still poor, and the silence was not so natural.

Feng Ju glanced at the prime minister and replied, "You can send a decree and admonish from the palace." ”

"Just a reprimand?" Empress Dowager Cining was really a little surprised.

"According to the rules, unless Lord Yuan has asked the Wang family for officials under the pretext of courting relatives, if so, he can be convicted of befriending relatives."

In that case, it would be equivalent to implicating the Wang family, of course the Empress Dowager Cining would not do this, she thought about it again and again, and reluctantly said: "Okay, there are two adults who have to prepare a reprimand, which should be more severe." ”

The admonition was quickly written, mainly written by Feng Ju and affirmed that Zhi was just watching.

The admonition was tepid, and a series of questions seemed to be asking Yuan Jiuding to verify the facts, and the Empress Dowager Cining was furious and ordered it to be rewritten, this time asking Shen Mingzhi to write it, and Feng Ju to make suggestions.

The second part of the rhetoric is harsh enough, Yuan Jiuding's behavior not only violates etiquette, but also is suspected of bullying the Wang family and the Queen Mother.

The Empress Dowager Cining was finally satisfied, "Send it out early tomorrow morning, so that everyone can see it, and set an example." Lord Feng, you should step down first. ”

Feng Ju retired, and the Empress Dowager Cining said to Shen Mingzhi: "Isn't the Ministry in charge of the officials of the world?" How can the means be so weak? ”

Shen Mingzhi said with a smile: "The Ministry of Officials is in charge of the evaluation of officials and the promotion and demotion of the minister, and the minister misbehaves and should be impeached by the Imperial History Tower." ”

Empress Dowager Cining snorted, "Wouldn't it be better to make it clear earlier?" The Imperial Historical Observatory has not yet appointed the Imperial History, right? ”

Shen Mingzhi looked straight, "Your Majesty asked the ministers and others to recommend candidates for the imperial history a few days ago. ”

"Who does Lord Shen recommend?"

"This matter is not decided by the ministers alone, the Qinzheng Palace is jointly discussed, and there are conventions left by the imperial court for reference, to say that the most qualified person to take over the imperial history should be the official Feng Shangshu."

"It's him again." Empress Dowager Cining's face sank, and then returned to normal, "The appointment of officials is a matter of the imperial court, I shouldn't ask more, Lord Shen don't be surprised." ”

"The Queen Mother is serious, before Your Majesty is in power, according to the rules, the Queen Mother can completely guide the government."

"Your Majesty will soon be able to govern in person." Empress Dowager Cining emphasized, thought for a while, and asked, "Is Lord Feng the only candidate?" ”

"No, there are two more, if you want to appoint the left and right imperial historians at the same time, you need to recommend two or three more for Your Majesty to decide."

Empress Dowager Cining nodded, "After drawing up the list, show it to me." ”

"Yes, Queen Mother."

The Empress Dowager Cining is obviously interfering in politics, and the Prime Minister Shen Mingzhi did not object, and was careful to cater to it, what he saw from it was another thing: His Majesty may really not be sober, otherwise, the Empress Dowager would not care so much about the appointment and dismissal of officials.

The Empress Dowager Cining made her eyes, and most of the attendants in the house left, leaving only one personal maid.

"What does Lord Shen think of Han Chou?"

Shen Mingzhi was slightly startled, "Han Zongzheng...... What did the Queen Mother hear? ”

"Not really, it's just ...... Lord Shen is the prime minister of the dynasty, the head of the hundred officials, and he will not favor someone, right? ”

Shen Mingzhi immediately replied: "The minister recommended Han Zongzheng, only looking at his position, not his person, the matter of establishing the prince must be participated by Zongzhengqing, and it has nothing to do with Han Chou, and the minister has no intention of favoritism." ”

"I understand, that's why I'm asking Lord Shen for help."

"The Queen Mother, please say, assisting the Queen Mother is a matter of the ministers."

"Han Chou recommended the acting king as the crown prince, a little too enthusiastic, I am afraid that there is a deal behind the scenes, I hope the prime minister can find out about this matter, whether Han Chou and the acting king have selfless dealings."

"Queen Mother, please rest assured, the ministers will investigate diligently, and there will be a conclusion within three days."

"There is Prime Minister Lao, the royal family is unfortunate, there are many disasters, I and Cishun Palace are both women's families, it is difficult to get out of the palace, and the big and small affairs in the court are all in charge of the prime minister."

"The emperor's grace is immense, when this minister repays his kindness, he only hopes that His Majesty will recover as soon as possible, and the ministers will rejoice."

The prime minister said goodbye, and the Empress Dowager Cining ordered someone to call Rong Huamin.

Rong Huamin was waiting downstairs, on call.

The Empress Dowager Cining was disgusted with the betrayal and deception of this eunuch, but she remained silent on the surface, "Give you a task, send someone to keep an eye on the prime minister, and if the prime minister and Han Zongzheng meet privately, tell me immediately." ”

"Yes, Queen Mother." Rong Huamin didn't ask much.

When the Empress Dowager Cining returned to the palace, it was already dark, she glanced at the emperor, gave a few instructions to the imperial doctor, and went back to her bedroom to rest, she wanted to expose the true face of Shen Mingzhi as soon as possible, so that the emperor could return to normal.

Zhang Youcai came to ask to see, he had to come to see the Empress Dowager Cining every night to inform Concubine Tong of the situation, in fact, there was nothing to say, he could finish in a few words, and he wanted to say a few more words today.

Zhang Youcai knelt on the ground, "There is one thing, even if the Queen Mother wants to kill me, I have to say it." ”

Empress Dowager Cining was stunned, "What is so serious?" ”

Zhang Youcai took a deep breath, "The Queen Mother summoned Han Chou many times, is she going to reuse him?" ”

Empress Dowager Cining's face was slightly gloomy, "Eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in politics, you don't understand the rules?" ”

Zhang Youcai kowtowed, "How dare I interfere in politics?" But Han Chou has a lot to do with the assassination......"

"I've heard this a lot, do you have proof?"

Zhang Youcai shook his head, his expression showed urgency, he didn't know the true situation of the emperor, thinking that the situation was urgent, "Even if Han Chou has nothing to do with the assassination, he is a corrupt official, a big corrupt official, and the ministers of the court and the central government do not support him." ”

Empress Dowager Cining looked at Zhang Youcai, "How do you know that the ministers of the DPRK and China do not support him?" ”

Zhang Youcai kneeled forward and took out a roll of paper from his arms, "I have committed a big crime, please punish the Queen Mother." ”

The Empress Dowager Cining took the paper, opened it and glanced at it, and was surprised, this is a piece of impeachment of Han Chou, the rhetoric is fierce, pointing to Han Chou as the "court beetle", the impeacher is the Guozi Supervisor Jiu Qu Zixi, and there are many co-sponsors behind, most of them are Guozijian, Hanlin Academy's readers, and some people from the Yushitai, the official positions are not high, and the six Shangshu and the prime minister are not among them.

Empress Dowager Cining sighed, put away the chapter, and didn't look closely, "You are a good boy, I will not punish you, but you have to be careful, don't meddle in things, your duty is to serve Concubine Tong, keep the prince, and I have my own ideas for the affairs of the court and China." ”

Zhang Youcai heard a glimmer of hope, kowtowed to thanksgiving, and left.

The Empress Dowager Cining has slept late these days, so Rong Huamin was summoned as soon as she came.

"The people I sent monitored until midnight, the prime minister did not go out, and Han Zongzheng did not come to visit, I dare not guarantee that the two adults did not have a private relationship, but in the current situation, they do perform their own duties."

Empress Dowager Cining nodded, "Thank you for your hard work." ”

"I don't have any hard work to serve the Queen Mother."

"It's time for you to rest."

"The Queen Mother has not yet rested, how dare a slave slack off?" Rong Huamin hadn't heard the meaning of the Queen Mother's words.

"Admiral Rong, have I ever treated you badly?"

Rong Huamin was shocked and raised his head, "The Queen Mother is as kind to me as a mountain, how can I say that I am treated badly?" ”

"That's that others are treating you better, tell me, how long have you been colluding with Han Chou?"

Rong Huamin was even more surprised, "Wronged, Queen Mother, Han Zongzheng and I ...... I do know him, but he is Henan Yin, and he is an important minister of the clan, and many people in the palace are familiar with him......"

"Well, then make a list for me."

Rong Huamin hurriedly defended: "It's just an acquaintance, and there is no other contact." ”

"Rong Huamin, when you serve me, you can be regarded as doing your best, I will give you a chance to confess, if you don't want to, it may be, the people of the Sword Halberd Camp are outside, you go and explain to them."

When Rong Huamin came, he saw Cai Xinghai, and thought that Cishun Palace had strengthened its defenses, but he didn't expect it to be prepared for himself, so he collapsed to the ground all of a sudden, "The Queen Mother spares her life......"

In the middle of the night, the Empress Dowager Cining came to visit the emperor again, put the imperial doctor and guards away, walked to the bed, and said, "Your Majesty can get up, you can clean up the prime minister as much as you want." (To be continued.) )