In April, Suzong was still ill.

On April 2, an edict was issued ordering the crown prince Li Yu to supervise the country.

Although Shen Pearl is about to give birth, she secretly observes the palace attendants and palace maids, all of them are cautious in their words and deeds, except for the well-known henchmen and cronies, they are all impartial to Empress Zhang and Li Yu, and the subtlety of the political situation can only be seen from everyone in the palace, not to mention the sleek and sophisticated ministers in the court - the situation is unclear at this time, and it is the best choice to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight. She often woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, so nervous that she couldn't breathe, Li Yu comforted her many times with warm words and steadfastly: "There will never be anything, believe me, everything has been arranged." Sometimes he would whisper: "The position of the queen is just beckoning to you." ”

It's not that she doesn't believe him. The more calm and unmoved he is, the more astonishing he becomes. However, she still felt that the mountain rain was coming to the future, everything was not certain, and her body and mind were just like a taut bowstring, which could collapse at any time.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Shen Zhufang got up and finished freshening up, and a waiter stepped forward to preach: "The emperor has invited the crown princess." ”

Is it "invite" instead of "call", Shen Pearl carefully glanced at the servant who came to pass the word, Gao Lishi has been exiled to Wuzhou, and there are very few close servants around Xuanzong, all of whom have followed him for more than ten years, and this waiter is one of them. Li Yu had already told her not to go out of the palace at will these days, but it was the Emperor Taishang who summoned her, how could she not go.

Fang walked out of the palace gate, Yan Ming flashed out, and saluted: "A certain servant Niangniang left the palace." Shen Pearl smiled and nodded.

After Xuanzong returned to Chang'an, he lived in the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace, and later moved to Xingqing Palace. From the Yanxi Gate out of the East Palace, through Xingyong, Xing'an, Yongjia three squares, walked for more than an hour, shoulder into the Xingqing Palace, to the Xingqing Gate under the shoulder, at this time Shen Zhu's body has been very bulky, holding the hand of the palace maid, walking a stick of incense time, retreating from the palace maid, and stepping into the Nanxun Palace alone.

The south smoke hall has been revealed to be gray and dilapidated, the brass tiles have dimmed the color, the four sides are empty, the original purple and red drape has not been replaced for a long time, the dust has become dust, and it has become dark brown, and it is waving in the wind. Once upon a time, there were flowers here, and the concubines gently twisted lychees, singing and dancing slowly.

"You're here." The old voice revealed behind the curtain, a dry hand parted the veil, Xuanzong walked out slowly with his waist bent, he did not wear a crown, his white hair was bald, and he was a little older than when Shen Pearl visited him a few months ago, and Shen Pearl couldn't help but feel sour. Xuanzong glanced at Shen Zhuzhu, shook his hand and said, "You look like this, excuse me, sit down by yourself." Walked to the dragon chair and sat down, hehe smiled a few times at the sky, and said: "It's too chaotic in the palace now, I thought you didn't dare to go out of the palace to see me!" ”

Shen Pearl sat down and replied with a smile: "As long as it is summoned by His Majesty, how can Pearl dare to resign?" ”

Xuanzong looked at her scrutinically, "You're not afraid that someone will kidnap you in the name of me?" You must know that you are hot now, although Yu'er guards you strictly, but the queen always wants to hold you in the palm of her hand, you are a magic weapon that is enough to withstand thousands of troops. "Jiang is really old and spicy, Shen Pearl secretly admires, although the Emperor Taishang is alone in Xingqing Palace, he knows the situation in the palace well, among those old palace people, I am afraid that there are still many loyal old masters, secretly full of ears and eyes. is also thinking about this, Suzong and the empress will force Xuanzong to move and exile Gaolishi, after all, they are deeply jealous. She smiled lightly and replied, "Because Your Majesty is saying 'please' pearls, not 'summoning'." ”

"Oh," Xuanzong coughed, "It's just a slip of the tongue, can you still realize what kind of mystery you can't do?" ”

Shen Pearl bowed and replied: "It is Your Majesty who never says 'please' to the courtiers, and if you want to pretend to be in the name of Your Majesty, you will definitely say 'call', so Pearl is here." Besides, in any case, if anyone wants to be unfavorable to pearls, they will never dare to do it in broad daylight and tell the truth. ”

Xuanzong nodded, "Okay, good", and suddenly sighed: "You often come to see me, an outdated person, but Yu'er has never come." Looking up at the dull brass tiles overhead, he sighed, "I miss him a little. ”

"Yu, he is close to home, cowardly," Shen Pearl whispered, "It was him back then...... As a result, the concubine Niangniang's soul was broken, so that His Majesty is now lonely and sad, and he does not dare to face His Majesty. ”

"You're all wrong." Xuanzong still looked at the sky and muttered to himself, "You all think that I am sad for Yuhuan now, but it's not-" Shen Pearl raised his head slightly, Yuhuan was Yang Guifei's small characters.

Xuanzong said: "In my life, I am only moved by a woman, she is not a jade ring. ”

Everyone in the world knows that the concubine is favored by the six palaces, and the concubine laughs when she rides the red dust, and no one knows that it is a lychee, whether it is famous or notorious, it will be passed down through the ages. However, Xuanzong actually said at this time that what he loved was not her. The biggest secret in the world is probably nothing more than this.

"The only person I have promised in this life is Concubine Hui. It's a pity that her surname is Wu, and no one in the world agrees, she can't be a queen. Xuanzong said indifferently.

It turned out to be Concubine Wu Hui.

When Shen Pearl came to Chang'an, Concubine Wu Hui had already passed away. After marrying Li Jiao, Yang Guifei is a saint and a generous family, Concubine Wu Hui seems to be a taboo in the palace, and few people talk about it, so she knows very little about Concubine Hui, only knowing that Concubine Hui is the niece and granddaughter of Queen Tianwu, the daughter of King Wu Youzhi of Heng'an, and the birth of Wang Mao, Sheng Wangqi, Princess Xianyi and Princess Taihua, in the twenty-fifth year of Kaiyuan, Concubine Hui and Li Linfu framed Prince Ying, Ewang Yao, and Guangwang Ju, and actually made Xuanzong abolish the three kings as concubines and give them death, and it didn't take long for Concubine Wu Hui to die of illness.

Xuanzong continued: "She wants to be the queen, but I can't, so I know that she framed my three children, and I will let her go. She was still frightened and couldn't afford to get sick, so she went early. He sighed deeply, full of melancholy, "As for Yuhuan, it's just that she looks cool, and I snatched her desperately, looking at Yuhuan, it's like watching her every day that she is still in the world." As the Son of Heaven, I can only let my beloved woman as a concubine, and I am a failure to her, but as the Son of Heaven, I can't act rashly and abandon the will of the people. ”

"Therefore, Yuhuan had begged me to make her queen, but I couldn't agree. Her Yang family is in power, how can I not know? I support the Yang family, but I just let the Yang family, Li Linfu, and An Lushan restrain each other. Besides, there are some things that I can't afford not to think about. Back then, you and the niece of the concubine were selected for the position of the princess of Guangping at the same time, and in the end, you were accepted as the concubine, Cui's daughter is only a widow, and ordinary people say that the prince is fighting for it, do you know what the truth is? ”

Shen Pearl listened to Xuanzong's recounting of the past, immersed in it, and suddenly heard that he was talking about himself, and couldn't help but stand up in shock and look directly at Xuanzong.

Xuanzong remained silent and said in a calm tone, "That's my decision. I will never let the people of the Yang family be my legitimate granddaughter-in-law, the Yang family is so big, it will not fall off, this is the emperor's taboo. It's a pity that I still weigh too much jade ring, oh, no, it should be Concubine Hui, who made the world lose her heart, and even mistook the white-eyed wolf in Anlu Mountain, and let him rebel, and the Tang Dynasty was almost destroyed, I am really a sinner, I don't know how to face Gaozu Taizong...... "He reversed his body, pondering and contemplating.

Shen Pearl used to visit Xuanzong, but it was a common thing, he had never heard him say so much, and he never thought that he would tell her so many secrets, shocked At the same time, his heart was pounding, and he felt that today's situation was strange, and Xuanzong was afraid that he had other deep meanings.

But I heard Xuanzong say to her lovingly: "You have always been extremely smart, I said so much to you today, do you understand?" ”

Shen Pearl was stunned, not knowing what it meant.

Xuanzong said: "You are a very good child, from the first time I saw you in this palace, I liked you, and I also tried my best to match, so that Yu'er can also like you, and snub the Cui family." However, I didn't expect that Yu'er would be so attentive to you, even more so than I did to Concubine Hui back then. Yu'er has always been decisive and resolute, forbearant and resourceful, and this secret fight with the queen will definitely be won. He will definitely make you the queen, but you have fallen into the hands of traitors, and you have been scattered in all directions, and there are many discussions in the court, how can you be the queen? This is still a trivial matter, the king can pamper thousands of women, but he cannot love one alone, otherwise he will want to make his wisdom faint, and he will do all kinds of harm to the country and his family, and I will be the greatest lesson from the past. The material of Yu'er can be a good master in the Tang Dynasty, and I must make a decision for him. ”

Shen Pearl understood, she raised her head little by little, and smiled vigorously: "Your Majesty, in fact, there is no need for you to make a decision. "She can't live much longer.

Xuanzong didn't seem to hear it, but continued: "So no matter what, don't blame me. You can rest assured, Yu'er will never lose. With that, give a light high-five.

A person flashed out of the corner door next to the hall, and bowed to Xuanzong with a sharp voice: "The slave and maid thanked the emperor for the queen!" Shen Pearl fixed his eyes and saw that it was Li Fuguo!

Xuanzong waved at Shen Zhu, "You go with them, don't blame me." Li Fuguo raised his hand behind him, and suddenly two strong guards flashed, Li Fuguo said to Shen Zhuzhu: "Niangniang, please-"

Shen Pearl turned around without hesitation and walked towards Li Fuguo, Xuanzong was still able to take his own son's life back then, how could he care about the fetus in her womb at this time? Putting her in the hands of the queen must be used to threaten Li Yu, no matter whether she succeeds in holding Li Yu hostage or not, her pregnant body will be unable to bear such a toss, and most of them will die. If she shouts for help at this time, Yan Mingyuan is outside the hall, she may not be able to save her, and maybe she will endanger the fetus, and now only she can try to save the child in her womb.

Li Fuguo raised his hand again, and a chamber of wine was presented to Xuanzong, Li Fuguo smiled and said: "This is the queen's mother's filial piety to the emperor, and the wine paid tribute by the Yelang country, please enjoy it slowly." Xuanzong looked at the glass of wine lightly, his eyes stayed for a moment, and said, "I know, you can all retreat." ”

Shen Pearl was escorted towards the side gate of Xingqing Palace, out of the Guangli Gate, there was already a shoulder marquis, Li Fuguo said with a smile: "Niangniang, please get on the sedan chair." Shen Pearl looked at him coldly, and was about to get on the sedan chair, when he suddenly heard the Qingyue bell ringing in Xingqing Palace, and then "Zheng-" three times in a row, Shen Pearl stood on the spot, and was stunned for a while - the palace drum sounded four times in a row, one short and three long, which was the death knell of the emperor. She turned around and pointed angrily at Li Fuguo, her breath shortened: "You, you!" Emperor Taishang......"

Li Fuguo smiled solemnly: "The emperor is old, and today's Yan Jia is also a long life." ”

Shen Pearl was dizzy for a while, Li Fuguo hurriedly stepped forward to support him, and said, "Take care." Shen Pearl fixed his body, raised his hand over, and slammed his palm on Li Fuguo's face. Li Fuguo took two steps back, stroked his face, he was already extremely angry, and finally couldn't hold back his seizure, and snorted coldly: "Niangniang is so powerful, the old slave has written it down." He didn't do anything to her, beckoned two guards to tie Shen Zhu's hands, stuffed a towel in his mouth, and forced him to sit on his shoulder.

From the gap in the curtain, she saw that she had been carried into the Daming Palace, bypassed the main hall of Zichen by the side path, was half-pulled and half-supported by the lower shoulder, took the towel in her mouth, and pushed it into a small house behind the Zichen Palace.

Shen Pearl stumbled at her feet, and before she could stand firmly, she heard someone in the corner exclaiming: "Sister Shen, why are you also arrested!" The room was a little dark, Shen Pearl didn't get used to it for the time being, followed the sound and walked slowly to the corner, looked down and took a closer look, it was Zhang Hanruo, with stains on his face, sharp blade scratches everywhere on his clothes, and his hands and feet were firmly tied by extremely thick ropes, and he couldn't move in the corner, thinking that he was afraid of his martial arts, and he was afraid that she would escape.

Shen Pearl saved what Xuanzong said to her, and briefly explained how she was caught by Li Fuguo. Zhang Hanruo scolded angrily: "This gelding! All my soldiers and horses were killed by him! Shen Pearl asked in surprise. Zhang Hanruo said: "Yesterday, His Royal Highness discussed with me, asking me to gather all the soldiers and horses of the Zhang family, if the queen has any changes, Lin Hong will deploy them and kill them on the side of the Qingjun in the inner palace." But last night, when I went out of the palace to meet with a group of generals, Li Fuguo knew about it, and led his troops to surround us, accusing us of rebellion. In order to protect me from breaking through, General Lin was killed by random arrows, and most of the other generals were captured and killed. I was captured alive by them. Speaking of which, I am full of sorrow, especially General Lin Hong, who has fought with her for many years, and her friendship is particularly deep, like a brother and sister.

Shen Pearl slid down with difficulty and sat down beside Zhang Hanruo, speechless is the best consolation.

After being silent for a long time, Shen Zhufang opened his mouth and said, "Han Ruo, you must be very resentful of me." ”

Zhang Hanruo glanced at her sideways, turned his face, tried to close his eyes, opened his eyes again, and said forcefully: "It's not resentment, it's hate." Both Shengyu and He Shengliang. It's such hatred, you know? ”

Shen Pearl repeated slowly: "Both Shengliang, He Shengyu." Sigh.

"I always thought that His Highness could forget about you, and I could replace you," Zhang Hanruo's tone softened, and his tone was as blurry as a dream, "He spoiled me like that before, and I thought that he would treat you like that." But the moment you returned to the palace, I knew that it was wrong, everything was wrong - you look at your eyes, I never dreamed of it. He has never looked at me like this, and even, after you returned to the palace, he almost never looked at me directly, and even the corner of his eye spared half of me. ”

"But you are still willing to help him like this, Hanruo, there are many things you can do for him, I can't do."

Zhang Hanruo smiled bitterly: "Because I can't control myself, I can do everything I can." As for you, Sister Shen, do you know that His Highness never needs you to help him do anything, all he needs is for you to be by his side and be with him. This may be the difference between you and me, for him. Sister Shen, you are indeed good in everything, but I just don't understand which one of them is slightly inferior to you. ”

"All he needs is for you to be by his side and to be with him." Shen Zhuzhu's heart was moved.

I see, I see.

Even Zhang Hanruo can see what she sees clearly, why she has not been able to understand, insisting that it will help him, and it will be beneficial to him. How much did she miss out on this?

She was stunned for a long time before she said: "Hanruo, I didn't expect you and my sister to be able to open our hearts here and now." Both Shengyu and He Shengliang, if one day, Zhuge Kongming does not exist in the world, then Zhou Yu will not make such a lament again. ”

Zhang Hanruo was stunned, "Sister Shen, what do you mean by what you say?" ”

Shen Pearl smiled, and was about to speak, when she heard the sound of the door, the sunlight shone into the room, the light was bright, and a group of people walked in surrounded Queen Zhang and Li Fuguo. Empress Zhang sent a hairpin and a golden phoenix, approached and leaned down to look at Shen Pearl and Zhang Hanruo, the hairpin beads on the bun sounded, with a smug smile on the corner of her mouth, and said to Li Fuguo: "You are really reliable, with the two of them here, the matter is already halfway." Li Fuguo smiled: "It is the queen's mother, a wise man, who has the talent to rule the world." The old slave is just a saddle horse and a dog and horse. Zhang Hanruo was angry and opened his mouth to scold, Li Fuguo beckoned, and two guards came up and blocked their mouths with towels.

Empress Zhang snorted with a smile and said, "Master Li, you are getting better and better at talking." He raised his voice and called out: "Cheng Yuanzhen! ”

Cheng Yuanzhen replied loudly outside. Shen Pearl heard it in his ears, although he knew that Cheng Yuanzhen had taken refuge in Empress Zhang, he still couldn't help but feel sorry in his heart, a talent like Cheng Yuanzhen didn't seem to be like this, but the power was tempting, and many things were difficult to say.

Empress Zhang ordered: "You go to the East Palace quickly to spread the word, the Emperor Dao is critically ill, so the prince will rush to the Zichen Palace." ”

Li Fuguo interjected: "The prince has always been cautious, if he finds something wrong, he refuses to come? ——"The corners of his eyes slipped and shuttled between Shen Pearl and Zhang Hanruo.

Empress Zhang sneered, "Cheng Yuanzhen, you naturally have to remind His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, his two concubines are waiting for him in the Zichen Palace." ”

Li Fuguo said again: "This is a clear statement, what if he still refuses to come?" ”

Empress Zhang bent down again, the corners of her mouth raised, looked at Shen Zhuzhu, and then at Zhang Hanruo, "Then we can only present the head of one of them first." Lord Li, you see, which one will you attack first? ”

Li Fuguo's face turned slightly pale, and he pointed to Zhang Hanruo and said: "Naturally, I started with Liangdi first, as for the crown princess, she is pregnant with a dragon seed, so let's keep the back hand." ”

Empress Zhang laughed, "Okay, that's it!" Asked: "Are all the preparations in the Zichen Palace?" ”

Li Fuguo smiled: "Foolproof, just wait for the prince to come-" made a gesture of chopping down with a knife.

Empress Zhang nodded with satisfaction, and asked again: "Has King Yue arrived?" ”

Li Fuguo said: "It's already on the way, and it's going to be there soon." ”

Empress Zhang snorted disdainfully: "It's really cowardly and cowardly, it's been a long time." ”

Li Fuguo smiled, "This is not good, when he ascends to the throne of God, all major events in the world can be decided by the mother." ”

Empress Zhang thought about it, felt that it was very right, and said, "Okay, let me worry about him." Take them both to the front hall. The own guards stepped forward and took Shen Pearl and Zhang Hanruo out of the room half-dragging and half-pulling.

(Tianjin)