Bessen on the outskirts of Kyoto

Wei Yao walked up the ancient road, and the dilapidated palace gate appeared in front of him, overgrown with weeds on both sides, and countless upside-down branches were intertwined, which had almost covered the road to the palace gate. He cautiously stepped over and pushed the door open.

"West Building?" Wei Yao looked at the people inside the door in shock, "You came from King Yoben?" ”

Xilou bowed and saluted: "I brought wine and meat with my humble position, and I also asked the prince to appreciate his face." ”

Wei Yao noticed that he was carrying a wine jug in his hand, and couldn't help but wonder: "If you want to make an appointment for wine, why don't you go to the academy?" ”

The spring breeze in the west building smiled and said: "There is no new intention in the academy to drink, this place is the old palace of Chu State, and there are usually many literati and scholars who come here to chant poems and give them. ”

Wei Yao looked inside. The palace was cold and overgrown, covering almost the entire area as far as the eye could see. The wind raged through the corridors, leaving behind a howling wolf. He couldn't help but shudder, feeling that this place was completely unsuitable for poetry and writing, and he didn't know what kind of medicine those literati and scholars had taken the wrong medicine, and they had such a habit. was about to turn around and leave, but when he heard the sound of the piano coming from inside, he became curious again. Xilou looked at the bait and hooked, so he hit the railroad while it was hot: "There are many novelties in the palace, presumably the prince is interested." ”

Saying this, Wei Yao really fell into his heart.

The two of them walked the corridor to the end, turned a corner, and looked up to see a touch of red color in the distance connecting the heaven and earth, flying flowers in the middle of the scattered, several simple and elegant houses scattered before and after, blue bricks and tiles, very fairy.

Wei Yao suddenly looked stupid: "I didn't know that Ruoshui still had this good place!" ”

"Lord Wang, we have arrived."

Wei Yao looked at the warm pavilion he pointed to, there seemed to be a figure in front of the flashing halo, and he was suddenly shocked, pointing to the figure and said in a panic: "There is a person there!" ”

Xilou gently pressed his shoulder: "Don't be afraid, it's Zuo Qing." ”

"He's here too?"

Wei Yao suddenly reacted. If Xilou is alone, he may really be happy with wine, but Zuo Qing is also there, and this matter is not simple.

"If you ask me to come here, I'm afraid it's not just about drinking wine and eating meat, what do you want to do?"

Xilou didn't answer immediately, and opened the door in silence before saying, "Does the prince want to know?" There's the answer inside. ”

King Yao was undecided, worried that they had another conspiracy, and on the other hand, he felt that he could not retreat like this, and that he was too timid and cowardly.

Gritting his teeth, he collapsed.

Zuo Qing had already made tea, a low table, three cushions, a charcoal stove, and a thin black incense in the delicate and small incense burner was swirling with purple smoke, wafting out a soothing fragrance. The room is fully equipped and seems to have been inhabited all the time.

Wei Yao is young and vigorous, although Fang Cai is afraid in his heart, once he stands weak, he becomes stronger. He puffed up his chest and said with confidence, "Didn't you say that good wine and good meat?" How is there only one pot of tea? Could it be that seeing that this king is young, he thinks that this king is easy to deceive, hmph, if this king starts a fire, even he is afraid! ”

Zuo Qing was amused by his appearance and smiled slightly: "Why is the prince in a hurry, please take a seat first." ”

Wei Yao snorted and sat down heavily.

Xilou took two jugs of wine and a plate of meat, poured a glass and pushed it to him.

Wei Yao was not interested: "Say what you want to say, this king is not interested in going around the bend with you!" ”

"I know that the prince is anxious, but this matter has to be said slowly."

"Is it about Murphy?" Wei Yao guessed randomly, and after seeing Zuo Qing's indifferent expression, he guessed casually: "About the academy?" ”

"Since the prince is anxious, then I will talk to you in detail." Xilou raised his eyebrows, pulled out a fan, and tapped it lightly in the palm of his hand, "The prince has been repeatedly frustrated in the court recently, you must also know the reason, doesn't the prince want to let his path unimpeded?" ”

Wei Yao looked at him suspiciously, then looked at Zuo Qing, and didn't clarify it until the end, and jumped up suddenly, "You want to harm the prince!" Wei Yao hurriedly retreated, almost tripped over the table, pointed at them and scolded: "I thought you were loyal ministers, it turns out that your purpose is not in Murphy, but in the prince!" The appetite is too great, you flies and lackeys, this king will kill you! ”

Zuo Qing looked up at him, not smiling or angry: "Is enough of scolding?" ”

Wei Yao wanted to touch the weapon on his waist, but his hand was empty, but it did not affect his momentum and anger at all, kicked away the soft cushion, pulled out the dagger inserted in the flesh, and in a blink of an eye, it had already pierced the tip of Zuo Qing's nose, only a finger's distance, and it happened to be held by a fan. He glared at the West Building, "Get out of here!" Wait until I kill the mastermind behind the scenes, and then I'll clean you up! ”

Xilou raised the corners of his mouth, and with a slight mention of the tip of his hand, his dagger was dusted out, "You are sober!" Don't be fooled by the prince's disguise, the prince has a bad nature, and he is incapable, he is definitely not a candidate for the emperor, if he sits on the throne, what will the future Rongguo look like? ”

Wei Yao finally quieted down, but he still stubbornly raised his chin, "So what? He is the crown prince of Rongguo, if you dare to hurt him, this king will never give up! ”

"Could it be that you are willing to watch Rong Guo become the next Chu State?"

Wei Yao naturally knows that the crown prince is a person, and he has been fighting with Mo Feiming for many years in order to consolidate his power, and he doesn't know how many people have been harmed, although everyone doesn't talk about those dirty things, he also knows it. He was immediately deflated, and there was a bag of tears in his eyes.

"I know, but he's my brother, Wei Zhen is dead, I can't lose my relatives anymore!"

The heart-to-heart pain of the West Building, the dusty past of more than ten years, at this time, all struggled to drill out of that gap, little by little, the spring gushed into the heart! He muttered Wei Zhen's name in a low voice, feeling for the first time that this long-sealed identity was so close to him.

Wei Yao couldn't help but wonder, he was just talking about others, what was he excited about? Cautiously leaning over, Zuo Qing raised his eyes and looked at Wei Yao, wanting to stop him, but after thinking about it, he retracted his hand and watched calmly.

At this time, Xilou suddenly raised his eyes and stared directly at Wei Yao, who was about to come over, so frightened that he fell to the ground.

"Do you remember Wei Zhen?" West House asked him.

Wei Yao did not hesitate: "Naturally remember!" ”

"I thought you forgot, I thought no one would remember it anymore but me."

King Yao got up excitedly: "You, know him?" ”

Xilou smiled bitterly, supported himself with one hand, shook it, dragged a heavy step closer to him, stretched one hand into the wide sleeve, and spread out a broken hairpin in the palm of his hand, he looked at the broken hairpin with a sad expression, and tears instantly slid down his cheeks.

"Hairpin? This is not the phoenix of the harem...... Feng Hai! Wei Yao was shocked, and what made him even more puzzled was why there was such a thing in the West Building?

At this time, Zuo Qing said: "Wei Zhen, who has been dead for ten years, the world thinks that he and his queen died in an accident, but the world doesn't know why this fire happened for no reason." ”

"What do you mean by that?"

Zuo Qing explained: "Back then, Empress Yu remarried to His Majesty, but he still exchanged letters with Yan Shizi, and His Majesty put pressure on Yan Guo openly and secretly after learning the news. After Empress Yu learned of this, she was disheartened with His Majesty, so she supported Wei Zhen with Prince Zheng. At that time, His Majesty was out on the expedition, and the big and small matters in the court were handed over to Prince Zheng and Murphy to deal with, although Murphy secretly hindered, but the court at that time was still quite clear, most of them recognized the good and bad, and were naturally willing to stand on Wei Zhen's side, so in just half a year, the forces in the DPRK and China were almost inclined to Wei Zhen. When His Majesty returned triumphantly, he had to accept the advice of the ministers and crown the young Wei Zhen as the crown prince of Rongguo. But emperors have always had a common problem, that is, they hate being controlled by courtiers and concubines the most, and since then, His Majesty has snubbed Prince Zheng and the Empress and withdrawn their rights. As soon as the general trend of Empress Yu was gone, His Majesty tried every means to torture her, and finally she was overwhelmed and decided to escape from the palace with Wei Zhen, but he didn't expect him to be so cold-blooded that he killed their mother and son, fortunately, Prince Zheng had already been on guard. That night, the queen's bedroom caught fire, and it was the cronies sent by Prince Zheng to rescue them from the fire, and fled all the way to the outside of Ruoshui City, but they still could not escape the siege of the dead soldiers, and in the end, the queen still died under the arrows. ”

Wei Yao asked nervously, "What about Wei Zhen?" ”

Xilou slowly got up and met his eyes.

Everything is already completely clear.

Wei Yao retreated again and again, unable to believe what he heard and saw, but Zuo Qing's hint was already very clear, and he couldn't doubt it anymore.

"You are Wei Zhen...... You're not the West Building, you're ...... Wei Zhen! ”

Wei Yao couldn't accept for a while, Wei Zhen, who had been dead for ten years, standing in front of him alive, like a dream! Until Wei Zhen held his face and called him dotingly like ten years ago......

"Yao!"

Wei Yao's emotions that he had been holding back for a long time finally collapsed at this moment, hugged him, and cried loudly, crying and howling: "Aren't you dead, why are you still alive, why don't you come to me?" Brother Wei Zhen, why don't you come and recognize me! ”

"It's dead, the former Wei Zhen was burned to death by fire with his mother, and now I, with the souls of my brother and mother, come to take revenge."

"Prince Yan, is he really dead?"

Xilou raised his head, his sour cheeks twitched faintly, and tears rolled in his eyes, "My brother died in Murphy's pursuit, and I was already similar to him, and with a little disguise, I could easily deceive everyone." Wei Yao, there is no one among my brothers who can be trusted except you, are you willing to help me avenge me, help your mother and the people who were innocently killed? ”

"Report ...... You want to seek revenge on your father! Wei Yao pushed him away in horror, "But he is our father!" ”

"He's not!" Xilou said angrily: "He is the enemy who killed my dear and beloved, and the hypocrite who caused me to live in the rivers and lakes for ten years!" Wei Yao, think about it carefully, he is no longer our father, how many loyal ministers Mo Fei has harmed, how many people are in dire straits, it's not all his reasons! Are you still obsessed? ”

"But...... But I, I don't dare, I can't. ”

Xilou grabbed him by the arm and said to him, "You used to be so brave, but why are you so cowering now?" Someday, you will have to fight for yourself, and today I only hope that you can stand up for me, and for all the innocent people. ”

"If I help you, what do you want to do, kill your father, or the crown prince? Do you know that in this way, Rongguo will fall into a crisis again! ”

"With Zuo Qing here, everything can be bloodless."

Wei Yao looked at Zuo Qing, and after seeing his indifferent but very sure eyes, he finally had some bottom in his heart, "I can help you, but there is one thing, you can't move the prince and the father." ”

Xilou nodded: "What I want is just justice!" ”

Under the guidance of Zuo Qing, as well as the secret promotion of ministers such as the eldest grandson Wuzheng, the contradiction between the crown prince and King Yao was stimulated to the maximum, and the smell of gunpowder in the court almost reached its peak.

And the crown prince finally became deeply hostile to his brother.

However, even so, the crown prince still did not make a move against King Yao, but only did not give an inch in the argument, showing the authority of a master of the East Palace.

Regarding the-for-tat confrontation between the two brothers, Emperor Rong always just smiled, as if the brotherhood was nothing to him. This made Xilou hurt his brain for many days, but Zuo Qing guessed about it. Since the crown prince has no hindrance from Murphy, he can be said to be like a fish in water in the court, and his behavior has become more and more unconcealed, and the appearance of King Yao is not an excellent weapon to hit him and calm him down, of course Emperor Rong is so happy that he can't keep his mouth shut. And the power of the two parties pulls each other, which is also a balance, at least for Emperor Rong, at least his throne will become more and more stable.

Of course, such a result is not what Zuo Qing expects, what he wants is Emperor Rong's disappointment with the crown prince, the more disappointed the better!

On the same day, Zuo Qing wrote a letter and handed it to Fu Yan.

The next night, after the patrol of the East Palace was replaced, the Praetorian Guards stopped the soldiers who were about to go back to rest, pretended to be the prince's edict, and ordered them to go outside the emperor's palace to continue patrolling. In this way, a team of twenty guards with knives appeared outside the emperor's dormitory, and collided with the patrolling Xuanting, Yan Ling immediately drew his sword and surrounded the crowd, and before he could explain, he tied up the leader Wuhua into the dormitory.

Emperor Rong's bedroom has two rooms, inside and outside, through the door, Yan Ling stopped, reported his identity inside, and only then did the eunuch Wang Zhong come to open the door. Yan Ling was about to lift his feet to enter, but saw a familiar figure standing beside Emperor Rong, picking up the lamp......

Jinyun City!

Yan Ling then remembered that Jinyun City was accepted into the palace by the prince, and at first he really thought it was to add bricks and tiles to the sky, but now it seems that this prince is afraid that he has other plans!

Jin Yuncheng noticed Yan Ling, and immediately put down the golden scissors in his hand with a flushed face, and after saluting him, he consciously retreated.

Emperor Rong, who was sitting on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes to recuperate, heard the movement, so he opened his eyes, but at a glance he recognized that this guard was from the East Palace, and asked suspiciously: "You are not guarding the East Palace, what are you doing in my bedroom?" ”

The man trembled and replied, "Yes...... It was ordered by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, saying that the villain would come here to continue patrolling and protect His Majesty. ”

"Ridiculous!" Emperor Rong kicked him over and said angrily: "I have someone to protect me, why should the prince send someone?" ”

Emperor Rong seemed to realize something, and asked him again: "You said that the prince asked you to come here, so is there a prince token?" Who gave you the order, the crown prince, or someone else? ”

"Yes...... It's the Praetorian Guard, and the token is indeed the property of His Royal Highness the Prince, the villain has seen it a few times, and he won't admit it! ”

Emperor Rong slowly got up, walked to his side, and bent down to confirm again: "Are you sure it's the prince token, right?" ”

The guard nodded vigorously, already too frightened to speak.

Yan Ling felt strange that the East Palace had its own Praetorian Guard, which was never confused with the Praetorian Guards outside the East Palace, let alone leaving the East Palace to patrol the emperor's bedroom, there must be something greasy among them. But these speculations are not daring to say.

Emperor Rong let out a long sigh, shook his head and sighed: "The prince is young and vigorous after all, I am too indulgent!" ”

Yan Ling is even more convinced that this one must be someone secretly playing tricks, what that person wants is nothing more than the prince's life, and at the moment, except for King Yao, there are no suspicious characters, but obviously King Yao will not do this, so I am afraid that the only one who does all this is the one in the academy.

For this sudden incident, Emperor Rong finally chose to suppress it, but Yan Ling saw disappointment in his eyes, which was a complete disappointment to the prince.

The next day, Wei Zixu found Zuo Qing in a hurry, and before he drank tea, he began to complain to him. After listening to his remarks, Zuo Qing smiled faintly: "The situation in the DPRK and China is changing, there is no long-term position, the ministers are the most observant, and the reason for everything is still on Your Majesty." ”

Wei Zixu asked him with a solemn expression: "Sir, do you have a countermeasure?" ”

"King Yao's wings are getting fuller and fuller, and putting forward those views is indeed of great benefit to Rong Guo, Your Majesty is naturally impressed by this youngest son, and now Your Majesty is still healthy, I am afraid that after a long time, Your Majesty will have any other ideas."

Listening to Zuo Qing's words, Wei Zixu was like a great enemy, and the hand holding the teacup couldn't help but tremble.

"Sir, do you think that my father will appoint another crown prince?"

Zuo Qing smiled slightly: "Your Highness is serious, I just make a personal judgment based on the current situation, and it does not represent His Majesty's thoughts, but ...... Some things are better to be strangled in infancy and come more safely. ”

Wei Zixu slowly picked up the teacup, approached his lips, his expression changed suddenly, he put down the teacup heavily, and stared straight at the opposite person with a pair of eyes: "Mr. gives advice, this palace is grateful, but Wei Yao is my younger brother, Mr. shouldn't say these words!" ”

In Zuo Qing's heart, Wei Zixu is just a ruthless and unrighteous person who can do whatever it takes to be in power, but he didn't expect that there was still a bit of brotherhood. But this friendship, Zuo Qing must break him to pieces, so that he can completely turn into hatred!

Zuo Qing arched his hand and said, "Your Highness attaches great importance to love and righteousness, which is admirable." In this case, I don't want to say more, and I ask Your Highness to take care in the future. ”

Wei Zixu heard the meaning of the words, and immediately reached out to hold him: "Sir, do you think I'm too soft-hearted?" ”

"Mo Fei can't shake your position yet, and King Yao naturally can't either, but the ministers who follow behind him can!"

"You mean Fang Chao to save them?"

"Rong Guo has always attached importance to the opinions of Wenchen, once King Yao wins the hearts of those Wenchen, with their mouths, I am afraid that it can really shake His Majesty, and when His Highness wants to make a move, I am afraid it will be too late!"

"This palace has been in charge of the East Palace for several years, although he has been sharing government affairs for his father, but he rarely cares about it in private, these days Wei Yao has been out of the limelight, his father has called him to eat many times, how can this palace be treated like this in the past few years!"

"King Yao is the youngest, but his ability is not small, and it is very reasonable for His Majesty and the ministers to treat him differently, because of this, His Highness has changed his vigilance! There have always been changes in dynasties, how many of them are bloodless? How many can smoothly ascend to the throne? ”

Once a person falls into a disadvantage, it is easy to panic, and once panicked, it is easy to be affected by external sounds. Wei Zixu had completely forgotten about brotherhood at this time, his mind was full of crises, and he could no longer tolerate other thoughts.

Wei Zixu stood up excitedly and said, "Mr. reminds me that this palace should not be satisfied with the status quo, so ...... So what should Hongu do? Please sir! ”

"King Yao has not yet married a wife, and if there is a rumor of his corrupt life at this time, those ministers are afraid that they will avoid it."

"You want me to stuff some women into his house?"

"How to do it is up to His Highness's ideas, as long as the results are useful."

Wei Zixu was as happy as if he had found the other side, and hurriedly thanked him.

The tea on the case was cold, so Zuo Qing re-boiled a pot and replaced it with new tea leaves.

"I heard that His Royal Highness invited Jinyun City into the palace, why do I think His Highness has other plans for Jinyun City?" Zuo Qing was making tea while probing.

didn't expect Zuo Qing to mention Jinyun City, Wei Zixu didn't hide it, so he said truthfully: "Jinyun City looks stunning and talented, at first the palace really just wanted to recruit her to serve in the first line of heaven, but then the father took a fancy to her, and the palace pushed the boat down the river and gave her to the father." However, she is a person from the East Palace, in the final analysis, she has to do things for the original host, she is now very favored by her father, and she has heard a lot of news, and she has to report to the East Palace. ”

"Your Highness makes the best use of everything, I really admire it!" Zuo Qing answered two sentences, and then asked: "However, Jinyun City has always been high, and he can be governed by the crown prince obediently, and he is willing to go to His Majesty's side to be your eyes and ears, won't it be ...... What handle does she have in your hands? ”

When Wei Zixu heard this, he couldn't help laughing and said, "Mr. is really clever!" Yes, Jinyun City has a younger sister, who is the top brand of Yunlai Pavilion! has this weakness, I'm not afraid that she won't listen to the words of this palace! ”

Zuo Qing knew it in her heart, and couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for her, she finally got rid of Mo Fei, and now she is controlled by the prince, which is really a bumpy fate.

After bidding farewell to the prince, Zuo Qing was about to close his eyes for a while when he suddenly realized something......

Jinyun City is extremely smart, knowing that the prince is not good, but he agreed to his solicitation, even if the prince was sincere at the time, but it is difficult to guarantee that he will have a bad heart in the future, and it is impossible for Jinyun City not to know. The only explanation for that is...... She did it on purpose! In this way, it is not that Emperor Rong has taken a fancy to her, it should be that she took the initiative to confuse Emperor Rong, and the reason she can think of is that for the person on the throne of Chu State, her only younger brother, disturbing the palace of Rong State, it would be better if she killed Emperor Rong, the prince is incompetent, and he will inherit the throne in the future, and he will definitely drag Rong Guo deeper and deeper, and then Chu State will have the opportunity to be ashamed!

Zuo Qing smiled helplessly. Although Jinyun City is smart, he doesn't know that it will not be Wei Zixu who will inherit the throne in the future.

Yan Sheng came in and saw the tea on the dining table that did not move at all, so he asked the master: "What did you tell him, my lord, that he left without even drinking tea?" ”

Zuo Qing got up and walked to the door, stretched his waist, and said, "Wait and see, in less than half a month, the prince will definitely jump off the wall in a hurry." ”

Yan Sheng was cleaning up the tea set, and when he heard this, he just shook his head. The adults obviously don't need to stay, and they are still running around for the West Building, and they don't know what trouble it will cause.