At this time, in the Xiyuan Zhai Palace, Zhu Houxi, who was sleeping grogily, turned over and finally woke up. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

"Your Majesty, are you awake?" The two little eunuchs who were waiting on the side saw Zhu Houxi get up and hurriedly came over to serve.

"Has the minister ever been here?" Zhu Houxi looked at the little eunuch who was squatting down and putting on shoes for himself and asked.

"If you go back to the emperor, Lord Xia Yanxia came just now, and I waited outside for more than half an hour, and I saw that the emperor hadn't woken up yet, so I went back first."

"Huh? Xia Yan... What is he doing here..."Zhu Houxi frowned and muttered in a low voice, "He didn't say what happened?" ”

"Said..."The little eunuch put on Zhu Houxi's shoes and put on a robe for Zhu Houxi, "Lord Xia said that he was going to leave Beijing in a few days, and he came to the palace to kowtow and thank him, and said that the emperor Xie was considerate and allowed him to go home to recuperate..."

"That's all?" Zhu Houxi stretched out his sleeves, "He didn't say anything else?" ”

"Lord Xia also said that he was in poor health, please forgive the emperor for the crime of not being able to wait outside for a long time..."Another little eunuch said while presenting a few pieces of green rattan paper to Zhu Houxi, "This is what Lord Xia left to the emperor before leaving, saying that he was afraid that the emperor would not have sincere words when he sacrificed to the sky, so he specially wrote a few articles overnight, hoping that the emperor could use them." ”

"Oh? Is it? I'll take a look..."Zhu Houxi took the few green words in the little eunuch's hand with some surprise, and a smile bloomed on his face, "It's rare that he has this heart..."

Zhu Houxi said that, then picked up the green words and lay down on the table and looked at them seriously.

"It should be cold outside today, right?" Zhu Houxi put the green words on the table and looked up at the window, "You just said that Xia Yan waited outside for more than half an hour?" ”

"Yes, it's snowing outside today..."The little eunuch replied softly, "Lord Xia is not lightly frozen outside, and he has been coughing." ”

"Alas... It seems that I misunderstood Xia Yan..."Zhu Houxi sighed lightly, and then instructed the person next to him, "Come on, pass on my will, give Xia Yan wine, food, gold and silver, and let him recuperate well, waiting for his appointment in the future." ”

"Yes..."The little eunuch who passed the decree was just about to push it out, but was stopped by Zhu Houxi again, "What else does the emperor command?" ”

"Is Cui Yuan still in the palace now?" Zhu Houxi turned around, as if he remembered something again.

"Back to the emperor, after Lord Xia left temporarily, Lord Zhai and the Marquis of Jingshan have been on duty in Xiyuan, and it is estimated that at this time, the Marquis of Jingshan should still be in Xiyuan."

"If that's the case, then summon Cui Yuan immediately, I have something important to discuss with him..."Zhu Houxi sat on his seat and waved his hand at the little eunuch, "Hurry up, just say that I am waiting for him in this palace." ”

When the little eunuch heard Zhu Houxi say this, he hurriedly replied yes and ran out.

Zhu Houxi sat in his seat, the green smoke from the incense burner made him a little drowsy, he also slowly closed his eyes, and took a nap there.

Suddenly, there seemed to be a gust of wind blowing, and a spirit on Zhu Houxi's body quickly opened his eyes, "Oh? Cui Aiqing, you are already here? ”

"If I went back to the emperor, not long after I came, I saw that the emperor was taking a break, but I still disturbed the emperor's tranquility, and I hope the emperor will forgive the sin."

"Okay, Aiqing won't talk to me about these empty words, I called you here today, it's just a few small talks..."Zhu Houxi said as he waved his hand at the little eunuch on the side, "Quick, give Master Cui a seat." ”

"Thank you for the emperor's grace..."Cui Yuan was a little flattered, recently Zhu Houxi summoned himself into the palace to deal with government affairs, and often met to give a seat, no, but also told himself to be closer, at this time Cui Yuan could already see Zhu Houxi's sideburns combed meticulously, but there were still a few faint strands of silver.

"Time flies so fast, this time Aiqing is already old..."Zhu Houxi leaned on the seat and said with a smile, "I still remember the scene when you went to Anlu to welcome me into the palace, you were still very young at that time, but now your beard and hair are all white, haha..."

"Yes, the minister is an old bone now..."Cui Yuan smiled and catered to it, but he thought about what kind of medicine Zhu Houxi was selling in this gourd.

"I'm old, too, and when I looked in the mirror that day, I also had gray hair, but it scared me." Zhu Houxi said jokingly, and his two fingers also fiddled and knocked on the dragon chair.

"Your Majesty is in the prime of life, how can he look like old age? The minister wishes that the emperor is in good health, long live, long live, long live. Cui Yuan's words are true, Zhu Houxi was a teenager when he ascended the throne, and now he is in his thirties. However, he is also a daily worker, and a smart person loves to think about things, and always wants to play with the ministers in the palm of his hand, so it is not surprising that he has a few gray hairs.

"Aiqing doesn't have to be nervous, just chat casually." Zhu Houxi couldn't help but be happy when he saw Cui Yuan so sincerely frightened, he liked this kind of fear, and at the same time, he also hoped that every minister would maintain this fear of himself. He still remembered that he had just ascended the throne at that time, and some old ministers led by Yang Tinghe did not take himself seriously, and he would never let this kind of thing happen again.

"Actually, if you talk about it, I still have to call you uncle." Zhu Houxi stepped up and sat in a more comfortable position, "Aiqing, I'm not wrong, right?" ”

"I don't dare." Cui Yuan responded in a low voice, and at the same time did not dare to take it lightly. After all, when he was summoned just now, he said that he had something important to discuss, and he didn't believe that Zhu Houxi hurriedly summoned him over in order to talk to him.

"Actually, I summoned you to the palace now, and I really don't feel at ease with others..."Zhu Houxi looked at Cui Yuan, sighed, and lowered his head again, "I remember that there were many people who welcomed me into Beijing back then, and Gu Dayong was sent to guard the tomb by me a long time ago, so I guess he is dead now, right?" Mao Cheng's old man is also disobedient, and the others... Alas... I don't want to say it, in short, there is no minister who is really worthy of my trust, that is, Aiqing, who is always loyal, and not like those courtiers who calculate and fight all day long, which makes me upset! ”

"It is a blessing for a minister to be able to relieve His Majesty's worries and be trusted by His Majesty." Cui Yuan replied excitedly, and at the same time, he gradually figured out Zhu Houxi's intention to summon him, and secretly couldn't help but be a little careful.

"But there are always some ministers who won't let me worry!" Zhu Houxi pretended to pat the dragon chair angrily, "I trust them, but they always make me feel cold again and again!" ”

"Your Majesty, take care of the dragon body, don't be angry with those who don't deserve it."

"It's okay, I only mentioned it occasionally, and I felt depressed." Zhu Houxi put on a calm look again, "You don't know, Guo Xun has made a lot of excerpts in the past few days, all of which are impeached against Xia Yan, and some of them are not signed by Guo Xun, so I really can't see it!" ”

"Your Majesty is angry, and it is normal for the courtiers to impeach and report." Cui Yuan replied calmly, although Cui Yuan knew that this was an opportunity, but he must not act rashly, only by calming down and maintaining the identity of a "fair person" can he give a fatal blow in the end.

"Yes, it's normal..."Zhu Houxi said with a wry smile, "He Xia Yan is not idle, there have been people who have been attacking Guo Xun in turn a few days ago, so I really can't see the truth behind this scene?" ”

"Your Majesty." Cui Yuan still didn't say much, because he wanted to listen to Zhu Houyu finish all the words, and find out Zhu Houxi's vague attitude.

"Actually, I know they have a conflict, but... They are also my humerus ministers. Zhu Houxi sighed again, "Although Guo Xun is a domineering, but he did a lot of things for me, when the big ceremony was held, if it weren't for Guo Xun, Zhang Xuan and others to help, I'm afraid Yang Ting and them... Alas... There is also Xia Yan, don't talk about it far away, let's just talk about the recent one, knowing that I am worried about side affairs, although I am sick, but I still presented more than ten articles on border defense for me, and I am about to leave the palace, and I don't forget to write a few green words for me, I have all read it in my heart, and I know it, but... They always do things that disappoint me..."

"The emperor is kind to the Quartet, you are considerate of the courtiers, and the courtiers are all thinking of the emperor's goodness in their hearts..."Cui Yuan listened to it word by word just now, and his brain also turned fast, he knew that Zhu Houxi was depressed in his heart, and he wanted to find someone to confide in. But this is not what Cui Yuan cares about, Cui Yuan only noticed that when Zhu Houyu talked about the merits of Guo Xun and Xia Yan, Guo Xun's was in the past, and Xia Yan's was recent, and at this time he also knew that it might be because Xia Yan sent a few green words to Zhu Houyu when he left the palace, which caused Zhu Houyu to feel it, so in this comparison, Zhu Houyu's attitude towards the two is self-evident, so that Cui Yuan is also relieved.

"You said the two of them... What is it about them that they hate each other? Zhu Houxi chattered for a long time, and finally got to the point. After he said this, he stared at Cui Yuan tightly and didn't speak, but Cui Yuan lowered his head "uninterestingly" and didn't look at Zhu Houxi at all.

"Why don't you speak? Well? ”

"The minister is stupid, and the minister doesn't know what the reason is..."Cui Yuan replied in a low voice, and at this time he finally understood why Zhu Houxi called himself to talk nonsense. At the beginning, Zhu Houyu just wanted to calm down and "relax his vigilance" through small talk, and later when it came to Guo Xun and Xia Yan's matter, it was also in line with the principle of "each playing fifty boards", and never showed obvious bias, in order to let himself, an "outsider", not be influenced by him, to give a fair and just suggestion, but Zhu Houyu didn't know that he was no longer a "fair outsider", but at least now Cui Yuan has to show a fair attitude and not show flaws.

"Alas... You don't know..."Zhu Houyu shook his head a little helplessly, after all, for this uncle who was nearly twice his age, Zhu Houyu couldn't say anything too disrespectful, "I know that you never want to get involved in these court and political disputes, and I also appreciate you very much, so I always let you run to the palace these days, and it's hard for you." ”

"If you can share the emperor's worries, the ministers will only feel happy." Cui Yuan replied in a low voice, but his heart was full of joy. It seems that Zhu Houyu really regards himself as an "outsider" at this time, so that his words will carry much heavier, and it will be easier for Zhu Houyu to go to his heart. Haha, Guo Xun, this is my chance to counterattack!

"By the way, Xia Yan is about to leave Beijing, I just sent a decree saying that I would give him something, but I didn't say anything in detail, you look at the proposed decree, and by the way, select it for me."

"Yes"

"Has Xia Yan's resignation been submitted?" Zhu Houxi straightened up, as if he remembered something again, "Didn't you say when you would leave Beijing in your resignation?" ”

"Back to the emperor, Lord Xia's resignation has been handed in, and he said in his resignation that he would not dare to leave Beijing until after Christmas and celebration for the emperor."

"Really? Hehe..."Zhu Houxi curled up, "Xia Yan is indeed a person with a heart, but sometimes his temperament is really hateful... Aiqing, what do you think of Xia Yan? ”

"Oh?" As soon as he heard this, Cui Yuan immediately mentioned twelve points of caution, after all, every word needs to be cautious, "The minister doesn't dare to discuss it." ”

"What would you not dare? Zhu Houxi knocked on the dragon chair, and his tone was a little impatient.

"Yes..."Cui Yuan leaned around and said slowly, "Lord Xia is indeed the pillar of the country, but his temperament is also a little arrogant, which inevitably attracts some ministers to dislike, from the minister's point of view, he is a little disliked, after all, Lord Xia's relationship with the ministers is not very kind, but from the emperor's point of view, Lord Xia is indeed working hard for the country and doing his best, which has to be admired by the ministers." After Cui Yuan finished speaking, he lowered his head and was silent.

In fact, Cui Yuan knew that he praised Xia Yan at this time, which not only had no effect, but would attract the emperor's suspicion of him, making his words seem weightless, so he adopted this method of suppressing first and then promoting. On the surface, Cui Yuan was very dissatisfied with Xia Yan, and his criticism was also very sharp. But in Zhu Houxi's opinion, he likes Xia Yan's appearance, because Zhu Houyu will never tolerate anyone in the court who can surpass him in terms of deterrence and appeal, if Xia Yan gets along with the ministers in private and has a harmonious relationship, then I am afraid that Zhu Houyu will suspect that Xia Yan has ulterior motives, and it will be Xia Yan who will be unlucky.

"Hmm... Your rating... It's very pertinent, I can hear it, this is what you are talking about..."Zhu Houxi breathed a long sigh of relief, "Aiqing is really a fair person, not as powerful as the counterattack of the DPRK and China." ”

"Then what do you think of Guo Xun?" Zhu Houxi didn't seem to be satisfied, and still wanted to continue to ask.

"Your Majesty forgives the sin, the minister is really inconvenient to say, if Your Majesty insists on asking the minister, the minister can only say that the Duke of Lingguo is a loyal and brave man." After Cui Yuan finished speaking, he still didn't look up, and even his eyes were a little evasive. He knew that there were too many twists and turns in impeaching Guo Xun these days, and basically said all the places that Guo Xun could denounce, and it was useless for him to say more, but this kind of secretive attitude could arouse Zhu Houxi's curiosity even more, and he would also sift through the things that Guo Xun was accused of in his heart, and find out those shortcomings by himself.

Sure enough, Zhu Houxi just frowned and didn't continue to ask.

"Guo Xun is also sick these days, and I don't bother to ask about some things..."Zhu Houxi lowered his head and muttered to himself, "Alas... In fact, what kind of illness can he have, every time it's like this, can I still not see it? ”

"Your Majesty is clearly observing..."Cui Yuan observed Zhu Houxi's expression, but such a sentence suddenly appeared, "The minister has a few words that I don't know whether to say or not..."

"If there's anything I shouldn't say, just say it..."Zhu Houxi grinned at the corner of his mouth, "When I asked you just now, you were too late, and now I don't ask you, you want to say..."

"I'm not trying to say it, but... I don't want the emperor to be deceived..."

"Oh? What do you mean by that? ”

"Your Majesty, it's not that Duke Ling Guogong is suffering from any disease, but..." Cui Yuan hesitated, looking reluctant to speak, "The minister heard that during the period when Duke Ling Guo left the court, the house... There are often women in and out of the Qinglou, and there are rumors that ... It is said that when Lord Qi Xia leaves Beijing, Duke Ling Guogong will return to the court immediately. ”

Cui Yuan's words can be described as "to the point", he did not take out the Chen sesame rotten grain that Guo Xun was impeached by the Yanguan to talk about the matter, but said the latest incident that Zhu Houxi did not know about. Although this doesn't seem to be a big deal, this incident can remind Zhu Houxi of Guo Xun's erosive life and the battle with Xia Yan. Especially the last sentence, it is simply his heart can be punished, and it is really vicious.

"Hmm... I know... I can also think of it..."Zhu Houxi nodded calmly, "You go down first, and the affairs of Xiyuan in the next few days will be handled by you and Zhai Luan first." ”

"Yes." Cui Yuan saluted Zhu Houxi, turned around and walked out of the door, with a subtle smile on the corner of his mouth, "The emperor still values Xia Yan more in his heart now, but the gap with Guo Xun is getting deeper and deeper, if those ministers and officials know these things, I'm afraid they should know what to do, right?" It seems that I want to listen to Peng Yue's words and spread the news quickly, haha..."

Notes: 1. Christmas: Christmas here does not refer to "Christmas", but to "the day of the birth of the saint" (that is, Zhu Houxi's birthday)