As the night deepened, the Dust Wind King's Palace returned to tranquility, while the Southern Dynasty Palace was in turmoil.

Outside the Manxiang Palace, a group of old ministers knelt on the three-foot square bluestone bricks in order to meet the emperor for a whole day. And the Southern Emperor since the night of the imperial concubine was expelled into the Manxiang Palace, never came out again, the emperor's personal eunuch Xiang Gonggong sent out a holy message, the emperor is sick, need to recuperate in peace, during this period of recuperation, all the court affairs, handed over to the prime minister for the time being, by the general six departments of the Ming and Qing Dynasty supervision.

For more than 20 days, the imperial doctor went in and out of the Manxiang Palace, and the medicinal soup continued, and the emperor's illness seemed to be no better. Therefore, the ministers began to worry about the holy dragon body, and wanted to face the saint to exhort him to be relieved, and some people even began to show up beauty pageants in private, hoping to find a peerless beauty, so that the emperor could forget the expelled princess, so as to regain his strength.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's late at night, so let's all go back. The emperor dragon is not well, and no one will see him, so please don't embarrass the slaves anymore! "Father-in-law Xiang almost knelt down for these ministers.

An old minister looked up at Xiao Xu, the commander of the Praetorian Guard who was holding the sword and personally guarding outside the Manxiang Palace, with obvious suspicion in his eyes. In their opinion, Commander Xiao is the person of the imperial concubine and is not trustworthy.

The old minister said: "The emperor's dragon body is related to the country's social affairs, so I will go in to see the emperor and ask my father-in-law to be accommodating." If I don't see the emperor today, I will kneel and die here. ”

Father-in-law Xiang looked at him helplessly, his mouth was worn out, and this group of stubborn old ministers couldn't make sense. Seeing that the palace gate is about to be banned, it is not a matter for these ministers to kneel here all the time, in case something really happens, he can't afford it! Xianggong turned his head and wanted to ask for help from Commander Xiao, but Commander Xiao's face was indifferent, and he looked at the group of ministers with disdain, as if they were kneeling here, and he would not be moved at all.

Father-in-law Xiang knew that Commander Xiao hated the poisonous tongue of these people, and he would never help. He was a little unaware, and at this moment, not far away, a man in his thirties, dressed in a black official robe, walked steadily towards this side with a small servant. The man's facial features were resolute and shapely, with an awe-inspiring righteousness between his eyebrows. Seeing that they seemed to see a savior, Grandpa Xiang greeted them happily, bowed his waist and said with a smile: "Lord Ming, you are finally here!" Please help persuade you. ”

This person is the talent who was promoted by the Southern Emperor at the beginning, Ming Qingzheng. His personality is just like his name, honest and honest, and he is very trusted by the Southern Emperor and the imperial concubine, and he is better than the cautious and sleek prime minister. He heard that a group of old ministers could not kneel in the palace in order to see the emperor, so he hurried to come after assisting the prime minister in handling government affairs.

Ming Qingzheng didn't say a word, came to the front of those ministers, frowned, and said to the old minister: "Master Pei, the imperial doctor has made it very clear that the emperor's holy body is ill and needs to recuperate with peace of mind. ”

That Master Pei's beard moved, and his face was unhappy, "The emperor's holy body has always been healthy, how can he say that he is sick?" And the illness is dozens of days, and the daily tonic decoction does not improve, and the lower officials think that this matter is really strange. Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has been diligent in political affairs, even if the emperor is really sick, he should not ignore the major affairs of the country, ignore the border war, stay all day long in a place where a woman used to live to see things and think about people, not to see the ministers in the early dynasty, and to waste the government for a demon concubine. Unless, Lord Ming, you are now in charge of the government, and I hope that the emperor will stay in the palace to recuperate! ”

What this person said sounded righteous words, and the last sentence meant something. Ming Qingzheng listened to it in his ears, as if he didn't realize it, and only said: "What Master Pei said is not unreasonable, but the emperor's affection for the imperial concubine is known to the world. As courtiers, at this time, all we can do is to do our respective duties and handle our own things well, instead of forcing each other to die again! Whether the emperor is a wise monarch or not, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty and even the thousands of people in our Southern Dynasty have their own conclusions in their hearts! We should believe in the emperor and give the emperor a little time, so as to live up to the emperor's trust and respect for us. Compared with Master Pei, Ming Qingzheng's words are more humane.

Those ministers are not completely unreasonable, and after the Ming and Qing dynasties said so, they also felt that this kind of behavior of second death was very unwise. A few people nodded one after another, "Master Ming has a point. ”

Seeing that they were shaken, Lord Pei's face sank, and he seemed to have an angry voice: "Lord Ming is saying that the reason why the emperor is sick in bed is because of our stubbornness?" Yes, it was indeed the lower officials who took the lead in insisting that the imperial concubine must be punished that day, and the lower officials did this for the sake of the emperor and the society of our Southern Dynasty. Hmph, the imperial concubine has misbehaved, **harem, a shameless woman like her"

"Master Pei!" Ming Qingzheng suddenly interrupted him in a deep voice, "The matter has passed, the imperial concubine was seriously injured and expelled, you don't have to repeat such evil words again and again, let's keep some morality." ”

Master Pei glared at his beard and said, "Lord Ming's words are really good!" However, Master Ming, don't forget, although you have not made radical words, you were the first to kowtow that day! ”

As he spoke, he stood up, put his hands behind his back, puffed up his chest, and squinted at Ming Qingzheng. Ming Qing was looking at him squarely, his eyes were slightly dark, and there seemed to be many unspeakable words hidden in his eyes. He glanced at Master Pei twice and didn't make any rebuttals. Finally, his eyes swept over Lord Pei, and he said in a deep voice to the ministers behind him: "It's late at night, aren't you adults leaving?" Do you want to wait for the emperor's decree and order the Praetorian Guards to send you back to your home? ”

The faces of those people changed, and they were busy saying goodbye, and Master Pei was lonely, flicked the sleeves of his robe, and left with a cold snort.

"Master Ming, thank you!" Father-in-law Xiang hurriedly stepped forward to thank him, and Ming Qingzheng said: "If there is such a matter in the future, directly let Commander Xiao send them home." ”

"What if, Prime Minister"

"It's the same with the prime minister! This is the Emperor's holy decree, and no one shall disobey it. If there is anything, it is up to the official to take responsibility. "He is clear and upright, and he is not afraid of public opinion from outsiders. Although the prime minister is one level higher, more real power is in his hands when he is in charge of the six ministries.

Xiang's father-in-law hurriedly responded, and Ming Qing arched his hand to Xiao Xiao and said: "Here, there is Lao Xiao's leader!" ”

Xiao Xu's eyes were gentle, and he nodded slightly, which was regarded as a greeting.

Ming and Qing Zheng left the palace and got into the carriage, and the little man who had followed him for 20 years in the car wondered: "My lord has always hated the woman who hates water-based poplar flowers the most, why do you want to offend Lord Pei for the expelled princess today?" ”

The carriage was galloping, the wind lifted the curtain, Ming and Qing were raising their heads slightly, looking at the bright moon in the sky, without speaking, and their thoughts returned to more than 20 days ago.

That night, the moonlight was as clear as a woman's eyes. He was handling official business in the study, but due to the heavy snow, the grain and grass could not be delivered to Zixiang Pass, and the shortage of war horses at the border pass was worried. If it was before, he would definitely enter the palace to discuss with the imperial concubine during the day, but on this day, it was suddenly rumored in the palace that the imperial concubine was having an affair with many guards and palace maids and eunuchs, which was really unbelievable! No matter how the imperial concubine looks at it, she doesn't look like the kind of red apricot that will go out of the wall, not to mention, men in the world, in terms of dignity, appearance and temperament, Lun Wenzhi martial arts, and infatuation, how many can be compared with the emperor? How could a woman as smart as the imperial concubine do such a foolish thing?

He sighed, stood up, moved his numb muscles, walked to the bookshelf, and suddenly caught a glimpse of a white shadow flashing in front of the window out of the corner of his eye, and he said alertly: "Who?" With the voice, he walked briskly to the window, and looked into the courtyard, which was empty except for the grass and trees, and half a figure could not be seen. He was puzzled when suddenly, someone behind him shouted: "Lord Ming." ”

He was stunned for a moment, and quickly turned around, and at first glance, he was frightened. I saw that the person who came turned her back to him, dressed in snow-colored white, not so much as flowing like a fairy, but more appropriate to say that she quietly entered the house like a ghost. The woman was long and scattered, the color of her clothes, and fluttered in the wind through the window.

After settling down, Ming Qingzheng was extremely surprised and said: "Imperial Concubine Niangniang! ”

Hearing this, the woman slowly turned around, saw his white face, and smiled slightly: "I'm sorry, this palace has frightened Lord Ming." ”

Ming Qingzheng wrinkled his eyebrows and asked: "Niangniang has something, you can wait for tomorrow morning to summon Weichen into the palace, why do you need Niangniang to run this trip herself?" ”

The woman didn't answer, just a smile on the corner of her mouth, a little deeper, and her eyes looked straight into his eyes. Ming Qingzheng only felt that his eyes were sharp, as if he could see through people's hearts from a glance, he couldn't help frowning, and only heard the woman speak: "Presumably Lord Ming must have heard that someone appeared in the palace yesterday A man appeared in the palace's dormitory, and that man claimed to be the palace's male favorite." ”

Ming Qingzheng bowed his head slightly, his face was peaceful, and he couldn't see his expression. Seeing that he shouldn't, the woman suddenly smiled, and said, "What, Lord Ming is worried that this palace will be known by others this time, and ruin your reputation?" Or are you afraid that you will be implicated and lose your official position? ”

"Mother's words are serious!" When Ming Qingzheng heard her say that, he immediately raised his head proudly, his face was pale, his hands were spread out to both sides, and he said awe-inspiringly: "The minister behaves properly, sits upright, and is not afraid of what others say." As for the loss of official status and the loss of his life, the minister thought that the emperor was not a mediocre king, and he would not listen to slander and kill loyal ministers. It's you, mother."

"It's good that Master Ming is not afraid." The woman smiled and cut off, and then said: "This palace came today, mainly to ask Lord Ming for a favor, but this favor, I don't know if Lord Ming dares to help?" ”

Ming Qingzheng saw that her face was solemn, and she thought for a moment, it must be something important, otherwise the imperial concubine would not have come in the middle of the night. He turned around and closed the window, invited the woman into the house, and said, "Niangniang, please take a seat." If you have something to say, you might as well say it bluntly. ”

After the woman sat down, she got straight to the point and said: "Regarding the matter of the palace's private male pet, it has spread all over Jiangdu in just one day, and the palace believes that within five days, even the border soldiers will know." When the emperor returns to the court, the old ministers with Master Pei will definitely not let go of this opportunity. When the woman spoke, her eyes never took off his eyes, and she kept carefully observing the changes in his expression, and he just listened, and there was no emotion in his eyes.

After listening to her, Ming Qingzheng's eyes turned slightly, raised his eyebrows lightly, and said without humility or arrogance: "What does Niangniang want Weichen to do?" The person who hid a strange man in Niangniang's dormitory last night was not Weichen, please forgive Weichen for not being able to prove Niangniang's innocence before seeing the exact evidence. However, please rest assured that Weichen will definitely ask the emperor to send someone to find out this matter and not let Niangniang suffer a wrongful injustice. ”

Although the imperial concubine is a woman, she has handled political affairs in an orderly manner in the past two months, and every decision-making arrangement is impeccable. In particular, he greatly appreciated the fact that he accepted General Luo Zhi, the commander of the Luo family's army, dared to go against the will of the ministers for the sake of the country's safety, made a decisive decision, and ordered the Luo family's army to reinforce the border pass Shacheng in time. If that incident had been replaced by a person who was afraid of the tail, I am afraid that the sand city would have been broken long ago.

The woman smiled: "Lord Ming misunderstood, this palace is not here to ask the adults to help say good things in front of the emperor, on the contrary, the palace is thinking, after the emperor returns to the palace, not only can the adults not speak for the palace, it is best to work with Master Pei and others to advise and ask the emperor to severely punish the palace." What is the words of Lord Buru, this palace hereby assures that it will not be blamed afterwards. ”

Ming Qingzheng raised his eyes in surprise, looked at the woman's eyes, and made sure that she was very serious when she said this, and he was even more surprised in his heart! Usually at such a time, shouldn't a woman try to prove her innocence? Why did the imperial concubine ask him to beg the emperor to punish her severely? Could it be that the imperial concubine really did something sorry for the emperor and felt guilty? But looking at her expression, it's not like that!

He thought about it for a long time, but he couldn't figure it out, so he frowned and said, "Weichen, I don't understand what Niangniang means!" "This kind of thing, you can't agree to it in a daze.

The woman stood up, paced a few steps in front of him, stopped five paces away, turned sideways to him, and turned her head slowly, her smile sliding from the corners of her forehead like snow-white silk, looking holy and enchanting, but also a little inscrutable. The woman smiled: "Master Ming thinks that if there is no permission from this palace, someone will dare to blatantly confirm the truth of the rumors?" ”

Ming Qingzheng was stunned for a moment, and something suddenly opened up in his mind, "What does Niangniang mean?"

The woman didn't directly solve his doubts, but asked another question on her own: "Has Lord Ming been worrying about grain, grass and war horses recently?" ”

"Yes, sis." Ming and Qing replied truthfully, I don't understand what the matter of grain and grass and war horses has to do with this matter?

The woman said: "You don't have to worry about the matter of grain and grass for the time being, the palace has explained that reliable people have enough grain and grass from the Northern Dynasty to secretly transport it to Zixiang Pass, and it can be reached within a month." ”

Ming and Qingzheng's eyes suddenly brightened, and half of the sorrow of the past few days had gone. Transporting grain and grass from the Northern Dynasties, as long as there are credible people, this method is excellent! There was no heavy snow blocking the road, and the Northern Korean army would definitely not think of it, let alone send people to intercept it. "Good way!" He couldn't help but praise.

The woman said: "As for the war horse, it is also favored by the palace and the emperor today." The time for the selection of horses in the Dust Wind Country has fallen, and their envoys have been killed on the border of our country for no reason, causing the anger of the ministers of the Wind and Dust Country. ”

Ming Qingzheng nodded in agreement, "Weichen also thinks so, so he hasn't decided on a candidate for a long time." I don't know what the mother's plan is? ”

The woman turned around and faced him, her gaze was extremely firm, she slowly opened, and her voice was slow and powerful: "This palace, you need a reason to leave the Southern Dynasty." ”

Ming Qingzheng's body was shocked, and he suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that the man in Niangniang's bedroom was arranged by you?" ”

The woman shook her head, "Of course not. Some people want to take advantage of the emperor's affection for this palace to hit them to disturb our court and shake the hearts of our army, how can this palace let them succeed! She raised her chin slightly, her lips with a sarcastic sneer, paused, and said, "It just so happens that this palace also needs such an opportunity." It's better to calculate it! ”

Ming Qingzheng looked at the woman in front of him in a daze, what a smart person he was, and naturally he quickly understood what she meant by what she said? But

"A woman in the world does not protect her reputation as her life. Mother, you really don't care about reputation at all? This is what shocked him the most, if he is framed by an ordinary concubine, he will be wronged and angry and shout that he is wronged, and he will do everything possible to prove his innocence to the emperor, where will anyone be as calm as her, only for the sake of the emperor and the country, completely regardless of whether he is notorious!

The woman sneered slightly: "Reputation? As early as the time of Qiyun Kingdom, it was rumored that the palace was extremely ugly and lacked virtue; After marrying the then general of the patriotic state, some people said that the palace did not abide by women's morals, which was comparable to a prostitute in the red dust; When the emperor gave up the great country for the palace and surrendered to the enemy, people said that I was a bad face and misled the country and the people; Not long ago, didn't someone say that I was red and white, but a demon reincarnated? She paused slightly, without the slightest look of anger or excitement on her face, only the smile on her lips deepened in irony. Smiling, the sarcasm gradually turned to solemnity and firmness, and she added: "This time, perhaps, it will be a little more ugly. However, if you can share the emperor's worries, let alone give up your reputation, even if you want the palace to pay for the palace with your life, you will not hesitate! ”

Ming Qingzheng suddenly felt that the woman at this time was more awe-inspiring than sitting behind the high bead curtain. She is just a woman, and it is really commendable that she can do such a thing for the country and the emperor. It's no wonder that the emperor set up a harem for him, this woman, she can afford the three thousand favors of an emperor, and she can be worthy of the mother of a country.

Thinking of this, Ming Qingzheng lifted the hem of his clothes, knelt down in front of the woman, his face was extremely respectful, and said: "What does Niangniang need Weichen to do, please do not hesitate to command." ”

The woman seemed to be waiting for his words, and said with a slight smile: "The palace has passed a book to the emperor last night, and in a few days, the emperor will return to the court." At that time, as long as you echo the intentions of Master Pei and others, and urge the emperor to punish me severely, in the end, you must expel the palace from the Southern Dynasty. ”

"This" Ming and Qing are a little embarrassed: "This plan is good, but if there is no cooperation from the emperor, I am afraid that it will be difficult to succeed." Moreover, Niangniang went to the Dusty Wind Country alone, in case the plan was revealed, Niangniang was afraid that she would worry about her life. "With the emperor's favor for Niangniang, I am afraid that he will not agree to do this.

The woman raised her hand and motioned for him not to worry, "Don't worry about it, adults! The palace and the king of Cangzhong still have some friendship, besides, since this plan is carried out, it cannot be revealed. On the emperor's side, as long as you do what the palace tells you to do, there will be no problem. ”

Ming Qingzheng saw that she was so determined, so he said: "Niangniang, please speak." ”

"Please lead the ministers to kneel at the gate of the palace before the emperor enters the palace. After entering the palace, I need adults to lead hundreds of officials to admonish each other to death. Speaking of this, her tone paused, her voice sank a little, and she emphasized: "You remember, what Bengong said is not to make a show, but to really admonish each other with death." At the very least, see blood. You know, in this invisible corner of the palace, I don't know how many spies are hidden, and we can't show the slightest flaw. Master Ming, can you do it? ”

Ming Qingzheng didn't answer her words immediately, he was thinking, everyone knew that the emperor was infatuated with the imperial concubine, and if the imperial concubine was punished based on rumors alone, let alone those enemies, even he didn't believe it. If you add the death of the courtiers, the emperor has to temporarily expel the imperial concubine in order to stabilize the courtiers and stabilize the army's morale. This reason should be unassailable! Ming and Qing Zheng had to praise the imperial concubine for her thoughtfulness. He thought about it, his face was straight, implying perseverance, and he replied solemnly, saying: "Weichen, you must live up to the trust of your mother." That's you,."

The woman said: "This palace? The palace was expelled from the Southern Dynasty by the emperor in anger, and naturally he was heartbroken, and he did not hesitate to hurt himself to repay the emperor. Hongu believes that in this way, at least for a short time, no one will be suspicious. ”

The Ming and Qing dynasties had a look of admiration on their faces, and they couldn't help but have a little more respect for this woman in their hearts. "I've been wronged! Niangniang understands the righteousness so well, in the future, hundreds of civil and military officials, border soldiers, and thousands of subjects will thank you! ”

The woman helped him weakly, and after letting him get up, she shook her head with a faint smile, "This palace is not as great as you say, and I don't need other people's gratitude!" Everything this palace does is not for the common people in the world, but just to help the husband of this palace achieve his heart's wish as soon as possible. That's all! It's time for the main palace to go, so you should rest early. ”

After the woman finished speaking, she turned to leave, Ming Qing was looking at her disappearing back and couldn't come back to her senses for a long time. People in the world, both men and women, all strive for fame and fortune, delusionally wanting to stand on a high place and be admired as gods, but there is such a woman, just to help her husband, giving everything, but treating fame and fortune as nothing. She doesn't need anyone's gratitude, she doesn't care if someone sings the praises for her for her efforts, she only needs to achieve her simplest purpose, and she is satisfied!

"My lord, I'm home."

Ming Qingzheng was still immersed in memories, he didn't want the carriage to have arrived at his door, he was helped out of the car by the little girl, stepped on the steps, stood in front of the vermilion gate, suddenly turned around, looked at the northwest sky, imagining that the heart was only for her husband, and prayed in his heart: I hope the imperial concubine will successfully complete the task and return safely!

At this time, the Dust Wind King's Palace was shrouded in a watery moonlight, fading away from the hustle and bustle of a hundred days, leaving only a piece of tranquility.

The evening breeze in early spring was very cool, blowing the shadows of the branches outside the window, and pouring on the ground through the window, leaving a little mottle.

In the dormitory of the Moon Palace, Manyao lay quietly on the bed, always holding her heart, waiting for the mysterious man to appear, but she waited for a long time, and the person never appeared. She couldn't help but wonder, he didn't come so late, and left early in the morning, so he shouldn't have rested at night! But the three of them seem to be in good spirits during the day.

The more I think about it, the more confused and uneasy I become. And so, after another half an hour, the man still did not come, and gradually, the exhaustion of her body and the boring waiting made her feel sleepy.

After the third watch, she frowned, she couldn't resist the invasion of sleepiness, and slowly closed her eyes. And just when she was drowsy, suddenly, the window was quietly opened, and there was no sound, but she clearly felt a wind blowing in through the window, and when she opened her eyes, the shadow of the yellow curtain reflected in the bed shook gently, and the sound of clothes was soft, almost inaudible.

Her heart was shocked, and all her sleepiness disappeared immediately.

Is it finally here?

She hurriedly secretly condensed her internal strength, held the Xuanluo in her hand, tightened her five fingers, and waited for someone to enter the account.

The man closed the window softly and walked silently like a ghost. She held her breath and stared at the wall inside the bed, where in addition to the shadow of the yellow curtain, a tall black shadow appeared. Hazy and hazy, you can't see the real outline. I could only see that the man was approaching the bed step by step, very slowly.

It was so quiet that even her breathing could be heard clearly, and she suddenly became a little nervous, and her heart beat faster. This person's martial arts skills seem to be higher than her, and she is pregnant and the fetus is unstable, how can she fight against him?

Clenched the sword in his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly.

The dark shadow reflected on the wall became clearer and taller, and she stared at it with wide eyes, without blinking.

Suddenly, the man came to the yellow curtain and did not move. She held her breath, her palms slightly wet. As time passed, she became more nervous about the ignorance of the enemy, and she wondered what was going on in the mind of the man in front of the yellow curtain. I don't know what he wants to do?

She wanted to call the guard outside the door, but she was worried that this person would quickly break out of the window and not recognize who he was. Suppressing the panic in her heart, she waited patiently for the opportunity.

The man finally made a further movement, raising his hand to lift the yellow curtain, and the movement was indeed so gentle and slow. She felt him sit on the edge of the bed, as if to undress and lie down.

She panicked in her heart, and almost reflexively wanted to draw her sword out of its sheath, but just as her fingers were condensing, suddenly, there was an unusually familiar and refreshing breath that filled the entire tent, lingering in her nose and penetrating her heart. The movements suddenly froze, the body stiffened, and the heart trembled.

How is he?!

Intense mood swings caused her chest to rise and fall and her wheezing was unsteady. The man sitting on the edge of the bed paused slightly, turned his head to look at her deeply, and then continued his movements. Take off your coat and lie down slowly behind her.

She came back to her senses, turned over and sat up in shock, turned her head to look at the man who shouldn't have been here, and blurted out, "Why are you here?" ”

Phoenix Nirvana, the soul of women