Although it has been timed, there are four or five half-person-high candlesticks in the flower hall, which are not dim at all. Yang Zhen watched Ji Erlan put the jasper shrimp roll in his mouth, and then narrowed his eyes in enjoyment, seemed to smile, and said, "What is the idea?" Let's hear it. ”

Ji Erlan swallowed the food in his mouth slowly, and then said: "The Yan family and the Song family are competing for the position of princess, and it is not just a family affair. The Yan family is to break the balance between the two kings and the clan, and at the same time obtain the power of the prince to surpass the Luo and Song families, and there may be a conspiracy that you and I are not aware of at this time. The Song family and the Queen Mother wanted to further contain and prevent the prince in order to stabilize the imperial power. ”

Yang Zheng's expression became solemn and solemn, and he nodded, indicating that she was right, and motioned for her to continue.

"The prince can't make a choice on either side, but he is imminent to set a family matter." Ji Erlan looked seriously at Yang Zhen, who was drinking tea slowly, and said, "Why don't you make a lifelong decision for the prince himself?" ”

Yang Wei put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Ji Erlan's serious and flawless face, and said in a flat tone: "I haven't thought about the idea you said, but there is no suitable candidate." Second, no matter who I choose, I can't convince the emperor and the queen mother. ”

Ji Erlan shook his head and said, "The prince has neglected one thing. ”

"What's the matter?"

"Not only the prince, but everyone, has ignored one thing, that is, the relationship between the emperor and the queen mother." Ji Erlan spoke slowly, and his words were full of time-honored meticulousness and meticulousness. "Whether it is the family or the princes and nobles, or the little maids and eunuchs in the palace, they all think that the emperor and the queen mother are one."

Yang Zhen frowned slightly, revealing a thoughtful look.

Ji Erlan continued: "Because the Empress Dowager is the emperor's biological mother, the mother and son have supported each other since the time of the emperor to such a supreme position today, and their relationship is very strong. So, the crowd unanimously saw them as a whole. But, don't forget, the emperor is the emperor, this palace is his, this country is his, and all the subjects of the world should obey him. ”

However, the Queen Mother claimed to be the emperor's biological mother, interfered in politics wantonly, and sometimes even ignored her son's wishes and acted arbitrarily. On the other hand, there are four major families eyeing each other, and their power is close to the royal family. Under such an environment, the emperor will inevitably feel depressed. Therefore, the seemingly unbreakable family relationship between mother and son has long been buried with many hidden dangers. ”

Yang Wei was slightly stunned, he really never thought about this. Because in his heart, his feelings for his father, mother, and concubine are extremely sincere, and they are not mixed with any conspiracy and calculation. But he forgot that his imperial brother, the current emperor, was not like this.

He was in a trance for a moment before he said to Ji Erlan: "You are right, the Queen Mother has no last resort before entering the palace, and even more so after entering the palace. From Concubine Song Xian to Empress Dowager Song, I don't know how many waves I have experienced during this period. The emperor has been raised by her side since she was a child, and she is naturally clear about what kind of person her mother is. ”

Ji Erlan said 'um' and said: "However, the emperor has grown up after all, but he is still subject to his mother everywhere, and it is not a happy thing to be under the control of the queen mother. The mood to get out of such control is probably no less than that of the prince. ”

Moreover, relatives were taboo in all dynasties. One day, the Empress Dowager Song will go first, and such a strong relative of the Song family is the biggest hidden danger. ”

"There are tigers behind wolves." Yang Zheng's eyes became more and more deep, and he said: "At this time, the Song family does not have outstanding descendants, but it still has far-reaching influence in the DPRK and China, and its power is intertwined. If the stunning third master of the Song family is still alive, I am afraid that the Song family has far surpassed the other three major families, and the court at this time will not be the current situation. ”

"Hmm." Ji Erlan saw him frowning and pondering, so he picked up the chopsticks again, took a piece of rouge goose breast and took a bite, closed his eyes with satisfaction, and guessed jokingly after a while: "I thought, fourteen years ago, the matter of the third master of the Song family, maybe the emperor did it?" ”

Yang Zhen's face changed, but he didn't speak.

Ji Erlan continued: "At the age of sixteen, the prince can be chaotic and win people's hearts. The emperor is also the son of the former emperor, and he has a mother with a brilliant mind like the Empress Dowager Song, how can he himself be a scheming person? So, why can't the emperor know all this in advance when he was a teenager, so as to take action to prevent future troubles? Without Song Sanye, the rise of the Song family was at least ten years late. ”

Yang Zheng was silent for a long time before he said: "It is precisely because of the decade of the Song family's decline that I was able to breathe until I was sixteen years old, and I was able to grow up and establish my own power. ”

"Anyway, I can't believe that Song Sanye is a bad bandit and bandit. But no matter whether the person who did it was the emperor or someone else, they inadvertently contributed to the current situation of the four great families and the two kings. Ji Erlan's whole person was wrapped in a warm candle flame, and the eyes that seemed to be able to see everything in the world were even more dazzling and bright: "Perhaps, this is the will of heaven." In short, the emperor may not be willing to obey the Empress Dowager Song and let the daughter of the Song family become the princess. ”

Yang Zhen looked at Ji Erlan, who looked calm and talked about the secrets of the palace indifferently, and asked the main topic of today's conversation. "But what kind of candidate can convince the emperor and make the Empress Dowager Song unable to refuse?"

"Has the prince forgotten your imperial uncle, Duan Wangye?" Ji Erlan suddenly smiled: "As the most special existence in this dynasty, Lord Duan is not only because he lived and died with the previous emperor, but also because he was appointed as an auxiliary minister by the previous emperor. It is rare for the imperial relatives to be so trusted. ”

Generally speaking, the auxiliary ministers are the confidants of the former emperor, and they are all talented and virtuous. But with the death of the former emperor, these people gradually grasped the real power, and they tasted the sweetness of power. is a high authority, and most of them will give birth to some 'ideas'. Even if you don't have an 'idea', after holding the government for a long time, you will inevitably have some uncontrollable places, not respectful enough to the superiors, and not humble enough to the subordinates. When the new emperor grows up, because of the resentment and dissatisfaction accumulated over the years, he may not have feelings for the people who are auxiliary to the government, and it is not uncommon to unload the mill and kill the donkey.

Therefore, the auxiliary minister is not an easy 'job' to do, he is basically in the position of second-in-command, exercising the power of the number one, managing more or less, not to mention the thankless effort, even if there is no rebellion to seize power, most of them will end up with the reputation of 'powerful ministers'.

However, the first emperor and Duan Wang Ye completely subverted this form.

Because, no emperor has ever left such an important position, a role that is so convenient for 'seeking power and usurping the throne', to his brothers. Because they have the same blood in their bodies, they also have the opportunity to succeed to the throne as emperor. But the first emperor not only did this, but King Duan did not live up to the first emperor, and did what he should have done and what he shouldn't have done.

After the death of the first emperor, he helped the emperor deal with the chaos in the court on the one hand, and helped him balance the relationship between various forces on the other, which was so comprehensive that even the Empress Dowager Song couldn't find the slightest fault.

What's more noteworthy is that the so-called once a son of heaven and a courtier, the emperor will often get rid of his henchmen after succeeding to the throne, such as brothers, former ministers, etc. However, such a thing did not happen in this dynasty.

All the successions of the dynasty took place in great peace, with the old ministers taking over and the new replacing them. or the princes and princesses, all of them are alive and well. Therefore, King Duan is absolutely special and cannot be ignored in the hearts of the emperor's relatives and even the court's humerus ministers.

When Yang Wei heard Ji Erlan mention his imperial uncle, he couldn't help but be stunned, and then he was a little stunned, and said: "In recent years, the imperial uncle has gradually let go of the affairs of the court, traveled to the wild mountains and forests, and enjoyed himself. Although his prestige can shock the government and the public, he may not be willing to participate in the affairs between me and the emperor, and I don't want to let the emperor's uncle ruin his reputation because of my affairs. ”

Ji Erlan shook her head with a smile and said, "It's not to let Duan Wang Ye stop this matter for you." ”

"What do you mean?"

"Princess Duan was born in the Luo family, but the Luo family was affected by King Duan's way of doing things, so she was extremely low-key. But it is precisely because of this that it is particularly reassuring. Ji Erlan's eyes were smart, like a little fox who had achieved positive results, and said: "Although the Luo family's generation has no daughters, you know the niece that Princess Duan has always raised under her knees, right?" In other words, you are cousins who are not related by blood. ”

"You mean...... Xiao Xun? ”

"Hmm." Ji Erlan said 'um', and said: "Lanling Xiao family, although this dynasty is not as prosperous as before, but it is still a top famous family, Xiao Xun is the daughter of the long house, even if she grew up under the knee of Princess Duan, such an identity is not unworthy of the prince." As long as the prince has this intention, I don't think anyone can say any reason to oppose it. ”

"Indeed, since then, it is exactly what the emperor wants. Presumably, I don't need to convince the queen mother, the emperor will naturally solve it for me. Yang Zhen picked up the cup, shook the tea that had been cooled in the cup, and said, "And the Yan family has no way to stop this." ”

Ji Erlan agreed: "That's right. ”

"Well, then, it's her."

"So, did the prince agree?" Ji Erlan was stunned, although it was a choice that could not be chosen, but after all, it was a major marriage event, and it was a person who wanted to spend her life with her, she thought that even if King Du was cold-hearted and didn't care, he still had to think about it. "Isn't the prince thinking about it anymore?"

"Consider?" Yang Zhen shook his head, "I have never felt that my family affairs can be decided at will, and I have long been ready to spend my life with a strange woman." In this case, Xiao Xun is a very suitable and suitable candidate, so I naturally don't need to think about it anymore. That's her. ”

Although Yang Zhen was laughing, it was full of helplessness and boredom. He suddenly turned his head to look at Ji Erlan and said with a light smile: "Do you want me to think about it again?" ”