The emperor did not immediately agree, but glanced at Xiao Yue worriedly and asked, "Are you sure?" ”

When Xiao Yue didn't come just now, the ministers also set their eyes on him.

But when the war begins, who will win and who will lose, which can be known in advance? The sword has no eyes on the battlefield, and it is really a dangerous place.

Although Xiao Yue rolled on the battlefield when he was a teenager, at that time, he also experienced the situation of nine deaths and one life.

That time, he was worried day and night, and it has been until now.

He really didn't want Xiao Yue to go again, so it was a big deal to transfer the leaders of other stations to Northern Xinjiang and solve the situation in Northern Xinjiang.

"Big brother, don't worry, I know it." Xiao Yue said lightly with a smile.

He knew that the emperor was worried about him, but now the capital really can't get people.

The emperor sighed lightly, didn't say anything against it, just looked at Xiao Yue.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yue was in his twenties, married a wife, and had children.

He is no longer the child who followed him in the past, he has to let him out and let him make contributions, otherwise, what's the point of just being a prince in the capital?

Xiao Yue put down the fold and said to the emperor, "I'll go to the military department to have a look." ”

It is not a trivial matter for a large army to go on an expedition, and there is a lot of work to be prepared.

First of all, it is necessary to determine the situation of the Ministry of War, Xiao Yue used to be in charge of Emperor Yongping's spies, but on the surface, he was suspended in the Ministry of War, although he usually did not need to go over, but now, he must go.

The emperor nodded, "Go ahead." ”

Xiao Yue turned around and went out, and when he was about to leave the palace gate, he suddenly said to the dark behind him, "Send a message to the princess, tonight, don't go back." ”

When the next person came to pass the word, Gu Nian was looking through the fresh food in the kitchen, and he didn't really want to find something to eat.

She's mostly looking for something to do.

The affairs of the outer courtyard of the palace have a long history, and Bai Ying takes care of it, so she doesn't need to ask.

In the inner courtyard, there are only three masters, and occasionally the eldest princess of the country, when Gu Shi'an comes to live, there will be more people, and there are no other things at all.

It was the little eunuch in the palace who came to pass the message, and was about to leave after the message, when Gu Nian suddenly asked, "The prince is going to go on an expedition?" ”

The summons in the palace said that there was a major military event, and Xiao Yue went to the military department again, and the most likely situation was that the matter that had been pulling the skin has been concluded.

"The slave and maid are just waiting outside, and they don't know what's going on." The little eunuch bowed his head and replied.

Gu Nian laughed a little self-deprecatingly, he was really concerned about it, asking the little eunuch about such a thing, how could the little eunuch dare to say it?

So he asked Astragalus to wrap a red envelope for the little eunuch and asked him to return to the palace to restore his life.

When she looked through the kitchen, she was still thinking about what Xiao Yue would like to eat, and suddenly the little eunuch came to pass the word, and she was not interested in watching it, the chef in the kitchen had always done a good job, so she asked him to watch it.

Seeing that she suddenly lost her mind, Mama Qin looked at her with some worry, and stopped talking, "Princess......"

Gu Nian didn't lose his mind for too long, his emotions quickly converged, and said, "Mama, don't worry, although I don't know how long the prince will go back, but Xu'er is still young, so it is necessary to stay in Beijing, so I will accompany Xu'er in Beijing." ”

Mama Qin sighed, that's the truth.

If the princess has no children now, or the younger prince is a little older, she can go out with the army.

In addition, Mama Qin was also a little worried that Xiao Yue was out alone, how could he do it if there was no one waiting around?

Even if it is not arranged now, who knows how many years it will take to go to northern Xinjiang? Will you be confused by the people over there? Find someone who doesn't know the details to wait and take the princess's favor?

Hey, what a dilemma.

However, she still comforted, "Don't worry, the princess doesn't have to worry, the prince will definitely come back with military merits." ”

Gu Nian didn't know Mama Qin's worries, and when she heard what she said, she said, "The prince will naturally be able to win the battle." ”

Xiao Yue was going to go on the expedition, so he was naturally busy mobilizing soldiers, grain and grass, and he was so busy that he didn't see anyone for several days.

However, he did not forget to send messengers often.

The content is just that today in such and such a place, you can't come back and do something, so it's naturally confidential.

Until the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor held a family banquet on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the two had to attend it together.

Xiao Yue sent someone back early in the morning, and after Gu Nian heard about it, he wanted to cook a few delicious dishes for him to taste.

So, she went directly to the small kitchen to toss, and the big kitchen only needs to be responsible for the soup and snacks and other food of the masters.

When Xiao Yue returned to the palace and didn't see Gu Nian, he knew that she was in the small kitchen.

Xiao Yue went back to the room to change into light clothes, and went to the small kitchen in the main courtyard.

As soon as I walked halfway, I saw Xu'er coming over with Yang Shun.

Seeing him, Xu'er blinked at him, a little excited, he hadn't seen his father for several days.

"Daddy......" After the small body saluted, he called in a low voice.

Xiao Yue reached out and touched his head, and said, "Go to the kitchen." ”

Xu Er obediently stretched out her little hand and grabbed one of his fingers, wanting to jump to the kitchen, but he glanced at Xiao Yue who was looking straight ahead, and slowed down, just like Xiao Yue, looking straight ahead.

When he reached the kitchen door, through the open window, he could see the busy people in the brightly lit kitchen, and he saw a woman stir-frying in front of the stove with a spatula.

A room full of people, but only her, is the most special, allowing him to spot at a glance.

Xu Er naturally saw Gu Nian as well, and hurriedly shouted, "Mother......"

When Gu Nian heard the voice, he looked up and saw the father and son standing at the door, with a smile on their faces, stir-fried again, poured in water, and covered the pot.

When she had done all this, she took off her apron and left the rest to the kitchen to watch, and she headed for the door.

"The prince is back and pulls." She looked at Xiao Yue with a smile, bent down slightly, and said to Xu'er, "Why are you here too?" ”

Xu'er said, "Mother, I'm hungry." ”

When Gu Nian heard this, he took his hand, and at the same time instructed his subordinates to bring over the just right egg custard, so that Xu'er could cushion his stomach first.

The small kitchen has already been arranged, and under the big elm tree, tables and chairs have been placed, cloth towels have been laid on them, and cushions have been placed on the stools.

After placing the two of them, Gu Nian went to the kitchen to prepare the remaining two dishes.

The season has entered autumn, the weather is neither hot nor cold, just suitable for staying outside, blowing the breeze, which is extremely pleasant.

Xu Er scooped the egg custard with a soup spoon and ate it, Xiao Yue sat next to him, glanced at him, and then looked at the woman who was cooking in the kitchen, and a very gentle light slipped in her peach blossom eyes.

*

In Fengyi Palace, the Queen Mother looked at the eldest lady of the Jiang family with a smile, "Calm down, no need to be polite." He also instructed Empress Jiang, "Go and help your eldest aunt up." ”

Empress Jiang smiled gratefully at the Empress Dowager, she had not seen her family for many years, this time, it was she who wrote a letter, and the Jiang family came to the capital from Jiangnan.

"Auntie." Empress Jiang picked up the eldest lady and shouted with a smile.

The eldest lady stood up with Empress Jiang's hand, patted Empress Jiang's hand, and leaned over to salute Empress Jiang.

No matter how big the face given by the Queen Mother, Queen Jiang is still the queen, and she has to salute her no matter what.

Queen Jiang naturally stopped the eldest lady from letting her salute, and in the end, she couldn't resist the eldest lady, but when the eldest lady saluted, she still flashed and only accepted half of the eldest lady's salute.

The Queen Mother looked at Queen Jiang with a smile on her face, "Over the years, she has suffered a lot with the emperor, but no matter how hard she is, she has done a good job, and the Jiang family's tutor is good, and the lady teaches well." ”

"It's really not worthy of the mother's praise, it's just the duty of some mothers who are back homeowners."

The eldest lady didn't expect the Queen Mother to be so kind, and it seems that she has no dissatisfaction with Queen Jiang.

Her heart relaxed a little.

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Don't be modest, the Jiang family is in Jiangnan, and everyone knows it, and the daughter of the Jiang family is even more well-known." ”

Empress Jiang didn't expect the Queen Mother to make a face for herself like this, and she had mixed feelings for a while.

After a conversation between the queen mother and the eldest lady, she said to Queen Jiang with a pleasant face, "You two haven't seen each other for a long time, queen, take the eldest lady to your palace to say something considerate." ”

Empress Jiang gave the queen mother a grateful salute again, and brought the eldest lady back to the palace, and the two sat down on the couch and talked.

"I've suffered you all these years." The eldest lady patted Empress Jiang's hand and sighed, "Our family has not been able to help you all these years, let alone the emperor."

Your eldest uncle and your father are both guilty, and they wanted to come to the capital early, but ...... in the end?"

I didn't finish the words, but the meaning was very obvious, and I felt that I had no face to see the former prince and the current emperor.

I feel that I am not confident enough.

Empress Jiang shook her head, "The family's approach is right, the situation at that time ......" she smiled bitterly, "The future is uncertain, how can I pull the family in?" At that time, who would have thought that today's situation would come so soon? ”

At that time, the entire East Palace thought that even if the crown prince could ascend to the throne, it would take many years.

After all, Emperor Yongping is not yet in his twilight years, he is in the prime of life.

The eldest lady nodded with great satisfaction, in the end, she was raised by herself.

Empress Jiang is very clear in her heart, knowing that she misses her mother's family, and when she is in trouble, she will never drag her mother's family down. When you have a future, you will never forget your mother's home.

She smiled gratefully, "Niangniang can think like this, it really makes us embarrassed." ”

Empress Jiang smiled.

The eldest aunt's thoughts, she knew it clearly from the beginning. But so what? After all, not a biological mother. This family affection includes utilization, and there is nothing wrong with it.

The eldest aunt taught her to fancy her mother's family and attach importance to her mother's family, but she just wanted her to pull out her two cousins.

When she was in trouble, she didn't ask her parents for help because she knew that even if she did, her parents would not help her.

Queen Jiang has had no mother since she was a child, and she was raised by this aunt. Now the second lady of Jiang Mansion is the stepmother of Queen Jiang.

The eldest lord of the Jiang family was a tanhualang in the Gaozu period, but he did not become a scholar, but established a academy in Jiangnan, and was particularly famous among the literati in Jiangnan.

Empress Jiang's father, the second master of Jiang, is also a two-list jinshi, and he is not an official in the court, he is an extremely famous calligrapher and painter, and his poetry is more sought after by literati than Master Jiang.

At the beginning, Lin Risheng chose such a wife for the current emperor, which was really painstaking.

Although no one in the Jiang family is an official in the court, when he really wants to use it, he can do it.

When the crown prince ascends the throne, he does not have to be afraid of his relatives taking power.

Empress Jiang's mother went before she was a year old, and she has been growing up with this aunt.

The eldest lady has two sons-in-law, but no daughters.

It can be said that she really loves Queen Jiang, and when Queen Jiang's stepmother enters the door, Queen Jiang is already five years old, and she is already remembering.

After her stepmother entered the door, Queen Jiang refused to go back to the second room, but kept living in the big room.

This indirectly made Empress Jiang's stepmother, who had just entered the door and had no time to do anything, was already saddled with the notoriety of 'vicious stepmother'.

In fact, it is also wronged to say, the Jiang family is a prestigious family in Jiangnan, and if they can enter such a family as a stepfamily, they dare not move any crooked eyes.

The second lady really wanted to get along with this stepdaughter, not to mention that Queen Jiang was not only the daughter of the second room, but also the only daughter of the Jiang family at that time.

The more high-ranking the family, the more attention is paid to the status of the eldest daughter, and the eldest daughter is equally important, even if it is the son-in-law of the stepfamily, it is not as good as the daughter of the yuan.

People in the world often say that there are 'five don't marry' when marrying a woman. 'Then, the lady of the clan, it is not the eldest who does not marry.

The entire Jiang family's lineage, just such an eldest daughter, is naturally very precious, the daughter has taught well, and in the future, she can marry a good family to give more help to the family.

Empress Jiang was originally cultivated according to the clan wife.

Later, he was assigned to marry the crown prince, and the grandmother in the palace taught various rules of the inner courtyard of the palace.

Empress Jiang's reputation has gone out, and similarly, the reputation of the eldest lady has also gone out, if it weren't for her own appearance, who would use such energy to teach a niece in the next room?

The better the reputation of the two of them, the worse the reputation of the second lady will be.

The second lady felt that she was really more wronged than Dou E.

The second master of the Jiang family was full of guilt for his daughter, and he was also grateful to his brother and sister-in-law, which made the second lady unable to even blow a pillow wind.

It's hard to be a stepmother. This has been there since ancient times, although it is said that the second lady has thought it through before marrying into the Jiang family, but in the end, it is different from her personal experience.

This time, the Jiang family received a letter from Empress Jiang and moved the family from Jiangnan to the capital, and at the same time, not only the descendants of the Jiang family, but also the girls selected from the side branches of the Jiang family.

The second lady knew the news, and even chose two people from her mother's family to bring them into Beijing together.

Naturally, the eldest lady will not talk about these things to Queen Jiang for the time being.

She looked at Empress Jiang's expression, and her mood was a little delicate.

In the end, I haven't seen each other for many years, and the little girl at the beginning has grown up now.

She couldn't tell her mind from her look and movements.

She was stunned, "The mother is older, and she is also separated from the eldest aunt." ”

"Auntie." Empress Jiang's voice was very soft, she took the eldest lady's hand and said, "Now, I am the mother of the child, haven't I grown up?" Speaking of which, Rui'er, she is already going to choose a daughter-in-law. ”

The eldest lady paused her hand and looked at Queen Jiang seriously.

Empress Jiang smiled, "The elder brother of the eldest brother is the same age as Rui'er, next time, the eldest aunt will bring the child and leave it in the palace to relieve my boredom." ”

"I only gave birth to one Rui'er, and I don't have a daughter, so I don't want to raise the daughters of those concubines...... Besides, I'm going to be much closer, what should other people's biological mothers think?

Those two people, don't they just rely on their daughters to live? ”

The eldest lady's breathing was a little short, what the princess meant, if she understood correctly, she wanted to give her granddaughter to the emperor's eldest son, and she would also treat her granddaughter as her own daughter.

The eldest son of the emperor is the only concubine, and she knows very well what such an identity means.

She really wanted to say yes, so that she could keep her wealth for generations.

Although the Jiang family is Qingliu, her two sons are not good at reading.

However, in the end, the eldest lady still overcame the joy in her heart, and she said, "The eldest sister is by your side, I am naturally relieved, but I am afraid that your uncle will ...... You know, the Jiang family has been branded as a relative since you entered the palace, and your uncle is upset. ”

Otherwise, he would not have stood idly by when the prince needed help.

How could Empress Jiang not know this? She looked understanding and said, "I'm just a proposal." Then he talked about what the daughter of the side branch looked like.

The eldest lady's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking that she had just been in the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress Dowager's face was pleasant, and after her own tactful words just now, Empress Jiang did not urgently ask her to make a promise.

Then, Empress Jiang's current status is very solid, she has the emperor's eldest son to rely on, and she has survived so many years, with the Jiang family or without the Jiang family.

But the Jiang family, if they want to go to the next level, they must rely on Queen Jiang.

When she heard Empress Jiang say that she would put the daughter of the Jiang family's side branch in the palace to be transferred, taught, and sent to the emperor, the eldest lady was stunned......

"Niangniang, now, aren't you and the emperor on good terms? What, do you want to send someone to the emperor? ”

Empress Jiang said indifferently, "There are not many people in the harem, the emperor has not been there for a long time since the first emperor went, and there will definitely be no draft in the past two or three years, and there are some old faces in the palace, at this time, there are one or two new faces, and it's nothing." ”

Besides, if she wants the girl from the side branch to enter the palace, it is not only for the emperor, but also for other purposes.

The eldest lady's heart was depressed for a while, looking at Queen Jiang's indifferent appearance, she wanted to persuade her, but she didn't know how to persuade her.

If she marries into an ordinary family, the eldest lady can still say a few words.

Now, she is a high queen, and when she is willing to give herself face, she can be good to you and good to me.

If you don't want to......

left the eldest lady to eat in Fengyi Palace, and asked Mama Ye to send the eldest lady out.

When the eldest lady left, she said, "You are in the palace, and you are lonely for a long time, and the next time you enter the palace, I will bring the eldest sister in to accompany you for a few days." ”

Empress Jiang said, "Then I can't help my sister-in-law." ”

"Your sister-in-law can't wait for it. The upbringing in the palace is naturally better than that at home. The eldest lady replied.

Seeing off the eldest lady, Queen Jiang breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, which means that the house also depends on her, and she is ready to help her.

She sat on the couch and thought of the news that the court was going to go on an expedition, since the Jin Wangfu didn't know the general situation, then she was not to blame.

Mama Ye sent the eldest lady away, and when she came back, she said, "Niangniang, are you hasty today?" ”

Empress Jiang looked at her suspiciously, "What did Mama say?" Bengong, today is just missing my mother's family, I want to take my niece in to live, nothing else, but I didn't say anything. ”

Mama Ye frowned, "Then the Jiang family's ......"

"Take a step, count it as a step." Empress Jiang said, "The eldest uncle doesn't see rabbits and eagles." ”

Mama Ye said worriedly, "What if the emperor summons Master Jiang to talk about it?" ”

Empress Jiang chuckled, "Uncle Jiang, who reads a lot of books, thinks a lot, but simple things are also complicated by him." He wouldn't have asked in front of the emperor. ”

"Besides, picking up my niece for a small stay, it's not the palace that does it alone, Yongfu Palace has brought the niece in early."

"Otherwise, what do you think I'm going to let the house go from Jiangnan to the capital for? The Queen Mother thinks I don't know what she thinks?

She left her niece in the palace, and often thought of ways to let the emperor go to her palace to eat this and that, didn't she just want to create opportunities for the emperor and her niece? ”

"It's a pity that the cousin's flattering eyes were shown to the blind man." Empress Jiang's voice was full of complacency.

The emperor said that he wanted to keep her alone.

She wanted that, and what woman wouldn't? However, she couldn't.

Mama Ye is getting more and more unable to see through this mother.

In her opinion, she doesn't care if the eldest master of the Jiang family will want to hide. I only know that this lady is really thinking too much.

Originally, there was a smooth road in front of her, don't think about anything, just follow the emperor's footsteps and move forward boldly.

Now, she has to choose a small path.

Let her, a subordinate, look extremely tired.

*

Xiao Yue was busy with things, and he didn't practice with Xu'er for several days, and on this day, he returned home early, thinking about accompanying Xu'er more.

Xu Er also missed her father, and saw that Xiao Yue not only accompanied him to practice, but also played chess with him.

Because, Xu'er was very happy, he knelt on the couch, sat straight with his small body, staring at the chessboard with serious eyes, like the demeanor of a master.

After Xiao Yue accompanied Xu'er to finish a game, it was time for Gu Nian to rest, and he was just about to open his mouth to let him go back to the room to rest, when he saw his son looking at him with a blank face, his face was still unfinished, he thought that he was about to go on the expedition, and the return date was undecided, so he relented for a while, and accompanied the next game.

Just halfway down, Gu Shi'an came and interrupted the two, Gu Shi'an was looking for Xiao Yue to have something, and when he saw the father and son playing chess, he said to Xiao Yue, "Someone is looking for you outside, you go and take a look, I'll accompany Xu'er." ”

Xiao Yue put down the chess pieces, said a few words to Xu'er, and went outside, and when he came back, he found that his son had gone to sleep in the house.

It's just that his little hand is still tightly grasping the chess piece that didn't fall when he just made the last move with him.

It looks like he was carried over.

Gu Shi'an sat on the edge of the bed and let Xiao Yue's footsteps lighten, Xiao Yue walked over gently, and took away the chess piece in his hand, but heard a vague voice and said, "I still have to play chess with my father, grandfather, you line up ......"

Xiao Yue's heart was sour, he gently patted Xu'er's back, and said softly, "Xu'er sleep well, Daddy will accompany you to finish that game of chess." ”

Gradually, Xu Er slowly fell asleep again.

A warm current slowly emerged in Xiao Yue's heart, and he lowered his head and kissed his son lightly on the forehead.

This is the first time he has kissed Xu'er. His image in front of Xu'er has always been steady and introverted.

He stared at his son's sleeping little face, and after a while, he came back to his senses and saw that at the end of the bed, his father-in-law was looking at him with burning eyes.

Gu Shi'an stood up and said, "In a few days, you will set off, I have something for you here." ”

With that, he turned and walked out.

When he arrived at the large courtyard outside, Gu Shi'an patted his palms gently, and in the dark, a few big men in black came out.

One of them is the one who danced the sword in King Su's Mansion last time.

He introduced a few people to Xiao Yue one by one, "This is the most elite guard of the Su Wangfu in the past, this time, if you go out, I will leave it to you." ”

Xiao Yue's heart moved slightly, and he said, "This is your last trump card." ”

Gu Shi'an laughed freely, patted Xiao Yue's shoulder, and said, "It's good that you know, Lao Tzu has given you all the treasures, you have to take good care of yourself, don't accidentally give your life to you."

Lao Tzu can make it clear to you, if you are done playing, I will not let Nian Nian guard you. I must find her a good husband right away. ”

Xiao Yue looked at him coldly and said, "Don't worry, you will only die earlier than me." ”

Gu Shi'an sneered, stood side by side with Xiao Yue, with his hands behind his back, looking up at the deep night, "Although the place in Northern Xinjiang is not very good, but your belt should still be tight, don't get a few ......women for Lao Tzu when the time comes."

Xiao Yue directly ignored Gu Shi'an's words, and ordered Dark Yi to settle all the people in black, and then went to the inner courtyard.

August 20 is the most suitable day for Qintian's accounting.

Early in the morning, after Xiao Yue sacrificed the flag, he was about to set off with all the soldiers.