Huan Rong

In Jiankang City, the rain was getting heavier and heavier, dark clouds were piling up, and the day seemed like night.

A few thunderclaps loomed in the sky, and the lightning tore through the clouds, exploding one after another.

Such thunderstorms are rare in January and February.

On the Qinhuai River, the boatmen tried their best, no matter the two-story merchant ships or the lone sampans, they all rushed to get close to the pier to avoid the rain.

The shops became lively, especially the shops near the south bank, the eaves were crowded with pedestrians.It's a pity that most of them are borrowing land to shelter from the rain, and there are few products in the store.

Tea shops and food shops can do a few businesses, and others can only wait and see.

The shopkeeper sighed and sighed, and would never drive people out.If you really do this, your reputation will plummet, and this store will never survive.

The only people who are happy are probably the umbrella makers and the merchants who sell coir raincoats and straw sandals.

Since the beginning of January, the rain in the city has basically never stopped, and the business in just half a month is more than two or three months last year.

In the rain, a number of ox carts drove out from Qingxili and Wuyi Lane. The carriages were engraved with gentry marks, which obviously belonged to the lord and the girl of which family went out to enjoy the rain.

Most people don't understand what rewards there are in rain, but it doesn't hinder you from looking up under the eaves.

"If you don't know how to appreciate the rain, you can always appreciate people."

The bullock carts stopped in a row, the doors were pushed open, and the gentlemen in wide-sleeved shirts jumped off the shafts one after another, standing in the rain with umbrellas, their sleeves fluttering in the wind, and they were endlessly romantic.

"Lang Jun is so beautiful, I am so happy!"

The little ladies raised their heads one after another, and the colorful dresses were the only bright colors in the rain.The crisp laughter pierced through the rain, adding a touch of warmth to the cold weather.

In Taicheng, the early dynasty has ended.

The officials walked out of the palace one after another, thinking of the emperor's recent behavior, they couldn't help shaking their heads and sighing, with their brows furrowed.When Sima Yu, the Prime Minister of Langya, passed by, more and more people came forward to greet him.

The palace summoned Prince Langya's son many times, and the intention was self-evident.Da Sima has repeatedly invited King Langya into the camp, and his attitude is also very obvious.The Jiankang gentry headed by Wang Xie mostly adopted a tacit attitude.

Today, the throne is definitely not stable, no matter if Sima Yao ascends the throne or Sima Yu succeeds, there is absolutely no harm in making friends with the Langya Palace.

"Forgive me, everyone, Yu still has important matters to attend and cannot stay in the palace for long."

Sima Yu had a peaceful attitude, even if he was a little anxious, he would not show it easily on his face.After a few words of modesty, he boarded the bullock cart and hurried out of the city.

Watching him leave, everyone exchanged glances, they all knew it well.

"It must have been invited by Da Sima."

"good."

"Princess Nankang and the Duke of Fengyang County entered the palace today, what does the Empress Dowager mean..."

Sima Yu left in a hurry, but the officials did not rush to disperse, but gathered in twos and threes to exchange the latest news.

Among them, Huan Rong and Princess Nankang entered the palace most frequently.Even Xie An and Wang Tanzhi were thinking deeply, unable to figure out what the Empress Dowager Chu intended.

Is it to win over?

Both Xie An and Wang Tanzhi shook their heads, subconsciously thinking that the Empress Dowager Chu's move must have deep meaning, it would not be so simple.

In Changle Palace, Empress Dowager Chu mentioned the matter of Youzhou, Princess Nankang smiled, pointed at Huan Rong and said, "Empress Dowager, you should say this to Gua'er."

The Empress Dowager Chu also laughed, and said: "Among the overseas Chinese states, Youzhou is considered the largest, but the previous assassins were inconsiderate of the people, ignorant of the economy, and the tax revenue has not been abundant. Knowing that Gua'er has capable people under his command, he must be able to Opening up trade routes, whether Maoqian is available or not, is better than others."

"Don't dare." Huan Rong half lowered his eyes, and replied seriously, "It's just doing some small business to make a living, and I can't be praised by the Queen Mother."

One sentence made Empress Dowager Chu laugh.

Huan Rong didn't think it was funny, or did the Empress Dowager Chu not have much fun in her life, so the point of laughter was so low?

"Nankang, melons are very good."

"The empress dowager has a high reputation."

"It's not an exaggeration." The Empress Dowager Chu shook her head lightly, motioned Huan Rong to come closer, and said kindly, "You have been wronged by the matter of Youzhou. In terms of credit, you should have been granted the title of Yuzhou."

Yuzhou?

Huan Rong shuddered, not even daring to speak.

Yuzhou is connected to Jiangzhou in the west and Yangzhou in the east, and can enter Yanguo in the north along the waterway. It is a strategic place and was originally in charge of Yuan Zhen.Because Sima Huan went up for impeachment for "delaying the military aircraft", Yuan Zhen was beaten to the end, not only lost his official position, but also took away his land.

Compared with Youzhou, Yuzhou is indeed a good place. Its population, land, and trade rank among the best among the states in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.But the problem is that this place is very close to the aunt guarded by Sima Huan.

If Youzhou was really replaced with Yuzhou, Huan Rong would not be happy to take office at all, and would 100% resign.I'd rather lose my job than be such a rafter.

Just kidding, the scumbag took great pains to get Yuan Zhen away, except to blame for the withdrawal of troops, he just wanted to occupy this territory.

If Huanxi hadn't been disabled, the next governor of Yuzhou would definitely fall on his head.

Now, without a son, Huan Chong and Huan Huo are in charge of Jiangzhou and Jingzhou respectively.

No matter who dares to snatch food at this time, their heads will be lost.

Huan Rong knew very well that with his current strength, he would be able to cheat his father a few times at most, completely burying people without even thinking about it.

Whether the Empress Dowager Chu's words were unintentional or deliberately instigating, Huan Rong was not overwhelmed by a few good words, and firmly stated that Youzhou is very good. Never thought about it!

"To grant the title of Youzhou now, we will try our best to manage it in order to repay the Queen Mother's official family."

Huan Rong spoke out in a serious manner, and put an end to the possibility of the Queen Mother Chu mentioning Yuzhou again.

When Princess Nankang heard the Empress Dowager Chu mentioning Yuzhou, her smile immediately disappeared, and she was about to speak as soon as her eyebrows were raised.Not wanting Huan Rong to deal with it properly, a soft nail was thrown, and the Empress Dowager Chu's words were all blocked in her mouth, and she couldn't utter a word.

Could it be that Youzhou is not good and let him fight for Yuzhou?

Even fools don't take the bait.

What's more, Huan Rong is not stupid at all, and he has a shrewd mother by his side.

"It's exactly what Gua'er said."

Seeing Empress Dowager Chu's eyes narrowing slightly, Princess Nankang smiled and said, "Since Youzhou has been conferred on him, naturally we must do our best to live up to the empress dowager's great trust."

For Sima Yi, Huan Rong still had a bit of respect on the surface, but Princess Nankang didn't have so many scruples, she didn't mention it at all, it was all a breath of air.

Knowing what happened at the court meeting, she hated Sima Yi to the extreme, and now it is considered polite.

"Good." The Empress Dowager Chu didn't bother, turned to Princess Nankang, and smiled, "Gua'er has such a heart because of your good teaching."

"What's the queen mother talking about?" Princess Nankang seemed to be unable to understand the hint in the words, and she thought that the other party was really praising Huan Rong, and her smile became wider all of a sudden.

For the next quarter of an hour, the sister-in-law and sister-in-law chatted and laughed freely, and they were at each other's throats.

Huan Rong didn't dare to vent his anger.

He knows his mother very well, don't look at the smile on his face, [-]% of him is already full of anger.If you don't want to be burned by the flames, silence is golden.

Empress Dowager Chu knew Princess Nankang's temper, so she accepted it as soon as she was good, and did not continue to dig holes for Huan Rong.After drinking half a cup of tea soup, the topic turned to the three carts of gold, silver and jewelry that accompanied the mother and child into the palace.

"I really never thought that Yu Xi would be so bold." Queen Mother Chu frowned.Changing the name without pronouncing the word shows how disgusted it is.

"That's not true." Princess Nankang said, "It's time to deal with him."

While speaking, he ordered someone to deliver the treasure box containing amber, opened the box lid, and pushed it in front of Empress Dowager Chu.

"Look, Empress Dowager, is there such a good thing in the palace?"

Seeing the contents in the box, Empress Dowager Chu's expression changed slightly.

Huan Rong observed carefully and confirmed that what her mother said was true, Empress Dowager Chu really liked amber more than gold, silver and jade, especially the ones like those in the box.

"Where did this come from?"

"Exactly." Princess Nankang winked at Huan Rong, signaling him to keep silent, and continued, "There are three pieces of similar amber, and this one is the most complete."

"Good, very good!"

Queen Mother Chu brushed off her long sleeves, took out an amber half the size of a palm, and looked closely at the lamp.Although the grass stems have changed color, the veins of the leaves are still clearly visible, which is even more delicate against the surrounding air bubbles.

"It's a pity that it's too small, otherwise it can be used as a decoration."

"You can do it even if it's small." Princess Nankang said, "Take sandalwood to make a bracket, put it on if you like it, and it's cheap to put it away."

"That's a good idea." Queen Mother Chu said with a smile.

"It wasn't my idea." Princess Nankang shook her head, pulled Huan Rong to her side, and opened the distance between him and Queen Mother Chu, "It's Gua'er who is filial and made some exquisite decorations for me."

"Oh?" Mrs. Chu became interested.

"Gua'er is filial, knowing that I like these, I don't know where to find a few strange stones the size of a twig. The surface of the stone has natural patterns, resembling flowers and birds in a bamboo forest, and there is a pattern of a thatched house. I also ordered people to find red sandalwood to make brackets. , the stones look seamless, not to mention how delicate they are."

Princess Nankang deliberately deviated from the topic, and Empress Dowager Chu took advantage of the situation to speak, and the tense atmosphere disappeared, and the temperature in the palace seemed to rise by five degrees.

"So, how about Gua'er making a decoration for me?"

"Taicheng has no shortage of skillful craftsmen." Princess Nankang interrupted Empress Dowager Chu and said, "If Empress Dowager wants to, just give an order, and it will be finished in two days."

Empress Dowager Chu smiled, but she didn't force it.He closed the wooden box conveniently and handed it to the maid to put it away.

The three of them were talking, when an eunuch suddenly walked into the hall, it seemed that there was something urgent.

"When did you get so anxious?" Queen Mother Chu frowned.

"Back to the Empress Dowager, it's the Changqiu Palace." The eunuch paused, as if hesitating whether to continue or not.

"Let's talk, Nankang is not an outsider."

"No." The eunuch bent over, extra cautious, "The officials went to the empress's palace, and came out in less than two quarters of an hour. Da Changqiu went to invite the doctor himself. It seems that the empress is not good."

Snapped!

Empress Dowager Chu was furious, and slapped the low couch.

"What does he want to do!"

Princess Nankang's face also darkened, her red lips were tightly pursed, as if she wanted to say something, but she held back her mouth.

Looking at the overturned teacup, Huan Rong couldn't help raising his eyebrows.

I've seen death, but I've never seen such death.

Didn't Sima Yi know that he was about to become an abandoned son?Or do you already know it, so you just drag others to suffer together?

The queen is from the Yu family, so in terms of blood relationship, she is related to Princess Nankang.Compared with her natal family, who were always troubled by nothing, her temperament can be called cowardly, not at all as good as Princess Nankang's biological mother, Empress Dowager Yu, who died due to the rebellion, has no sense of presence in the palace.

After Huan Rong returned to Jiankang, he heard that the queen was ill.

Looking at it now, with a natal family like the Yu family and a husband like Sima Yi, it's hard for Empress Yu not to get sick.

Only the Empress Dowager Chu could handle the affairs of the emperor and the empress. Princess Nankang and Huan Rong stood up and resigned, but the Empress Dowager Chu did not persuade them to stay.

"A troubled autumn."

Huan Rong sighed secretly, waved off the eunuch, and personally held the umbrella for Princess Nankang.

"Gua'er, Jiankang is not a place to stay for a long time, you should leave as soon as possible."

Walking in the rain, Princess Nankang held Huan Rong's wrist, her voice was a bit inaudible.

"promise."

Huan Rong didn't ask any further questions, but nodded vigorously while holding an umbrella with one hand.

The sky thundered again, and the lightning rolled like a golden snake, indicating that great changes were coming.

The mother and son walked through the rain curtain and walked out of the palace gate without looking back.

In Changle Palace, Empress Dowager Chu ordered eunuchs to explain in detail.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Back to the Empress Dowager, it was because the officials took a fancy to the maidservant next to the Empress, and if they couldn't ask for it, they got angry..."

"how?"

"I hurt the queen in a fit of anger." Cold sweat broke out on the eunuch's forehead.

Sima Yi is addicted to drinking and sex all day long, and his body will be hollowed out.It would have been painless for someone else to suffer this kick, but Empress Yu was in bed for a long time and couldn't bear it at all.

"Well, he's really nice!"

Empress Dowager Chu laughed out of breath, and at the same time she was somewhat surprised that with Empress Yu's temper, she would dare to "disobey the emperor's order" one day.

"Show the Changqiu Palace."

Empress Dowager Chu didn't know if Sima Yi was really drunk or had some other purpose, but she had already made up her mind that a replacement was needed on the throne.As for Sima Yao or Sima Yu, it depends on whether Xi Fanghui and the Jiankang clan can overwhelm Huan Wen in this struggle.

And at this time, Empress Yu can't have any accidents.

Walking out of the palace gate, Empress Dowager Chu suddenly said, "Anne."

"Servant here." An elderly eunuch responded.

"What do you think of Fengyang county magistrate?"

"Back to the queen mother, the county magistrate is a noble person, how can a servant be able to say that."

Empress Dowager Chu narrowed her eyes, thinking about Hu Qian's hexagram for some reason.Thunder exploded in my ears, and I couldn't help but stop, looking at the gloomy sky, with a dignified expression.

Outside Taicheng, Huan Mansion's ox cart met the carriage of Langya Prince's Mansion.Due to the heavy rain and the low visibility, the two vehicles were rushing head-on and almost collided.

"But the eldest princess drives?"

Huan Rong pushed open the window and found that the car opposite was not Sima Yu, but Sima Yao who had been to Huan's mansion.

Compared to before, this prince of Langya seems to be much paler.If you look carefully, you can actually see a thick layer of powder on your face.It's fine in the car, but when it's rained, it's black and white, which is somewhat funny.

"That's right, is the son of Prince Langya on the opposite side?"

From the perspective of Princess Nankang, Huan Rong was a generation lower than Sima Yu, but when Sima Daofu married Huan Ji, the two became equals again.In this way, it would be embarrassing to address each other, but it would be better to address each other with titles.

Knowing each other's identities and knowing that they are all "family members", it is naturally difficult to pursue who is responsible.

Huan Rong and Princess Nankang were about to return home, Sima Yao was busy entering the palace, after saying hello to each other, they stopped talking, the two cars passed each other and went in the opposite direction.

"Mother, does the Queen Mother intend to support Sima Yao?"

Princess Nankang nodded, not hiding anything from Huan Rong, "Your father is more important to King Langya, what is the Queen Mother's plan, and what will be the result, it is hard to say now."

In any case, as far as the current situation is concerned, Sima Huan does not intend to raise troops to rebel, and Jiankang can still be stable for two years.

After returning to the mansion, a maidservant immediately came forward to report that Sima Huan sent someone to deliver a letter, saying that he wanted to see the two young masters who stayed in the mansion.

"Then what's the old slave's idea?" Princess Nankang frowned, "Where is the messenger?"

"Still in the guest room."

"Gua'er, go and rest first." Unable to guess what Sima Huan wanted, Princess Nankang's first reaction was not to let anyone see Huan Rong.

"promise."

Knowing what his mother meant, even though Huan Rong was a little curious, he could only temporarily suppress it, watched Princess Nankang's back disappear behind the door, turned and walked towards the corridor.

Halfway through the journey, I happened to meet Mrs. Li who was watching the rain from the porch.

In the cold wind and rain, the beauty stood tall, her wide skirt bulged with the wind, and her hair swirled, as if she would ride the wind away at any time.

"Auntie." Huan Rong cupped his hands and saluted.

"Your Majesty is back, did your trip go well?" Mrs. Li smiled sideways, her delicate eyebrows and eyes were covered with water vapor, and her beauty became more and more unreal.

"Aunt Lao is worried, everything is fine."

Mrs. Li moved lightly with lotus steps, stopped three steps away from Huan Rong, and said softly: "I have something to say to Mr. Lang, is it okay?"

"No." Huan Rong said, "May I ask Auntie to move to the compartment?"

"No, it's fine here."

Mrs. Li shook her head slightly, turned to look at the rain curtain, and said with nostalgia in her tone, "This kind of weather often reminds me of that day."

"That day?" Huan Rong asked subconsciously.

"The day Cheng Han destroyed the country."

"..." How does this make him answer?

"Mr. Lang, would you like to hear about Cheng Han's past?" Mrs. Li asked.

"Auntie is willing to speak, please listen with all ears."

Mrs. Li quietly looked at the rain curtain, her gaze seemed to pass through time and space barriers, looking back at Hanwang City and the land of Yizhou.

"My ancestor entered Yizhou during the reign of Yong'an and became king in Chengdu."

Mrs. Li's voice was gentle, starting with Li Xiongcheng becoming king.

"Over two years ago, my ancestor proclaimed himself emperor, the country was named Dacheng, and he was Emperor Taizong."

"In the ninth year of Xianhe, Emperor Taizong passed away. Because his brother and son served the sick bed and were talented and virtuous, he abandoned his parents and passed on the title to his brother."

Having said that, Mrs. Li paused.

"As a result, the Chenghan royal family will never have a day of peace."

Mrs. Li's tone didn't fluctuate much, her expression was always calm, but what she was talking about was bloody power struggles and family killings.

"Taizong's parents and sons were not willing to lose power, so they jointly raised troops to kill Emperor Ai. Afterwards, internal strife broke out and they attacked each other. The civil strife lasted for two years until the new emperor ascended the throne. Then, in less than four years, Taizong's younger brother used the new emperor to be cruel and kill people. It is enough reason to unite with the civil and military abolished emperors of the Manchu dynasty to ascend the throne, that is, Emperor Zhongzong."

"In the next six years, Emperor Zhongzong died, and my brother succeeded. In another five years, the capital of the country was captured by the Jin army, and my brother died."

This period of history is not long, but Huan Rong was terrified when he heard it.

"In just fifty years, brother killed brother, brother killed brother, uncle abolished nephew, ten to seven or eight of the Chenghan royal family. Those who were killed, their family members were not preserved."

Having said that, Mrs. Li turned her head, her smile gradually fading away.

"If you want to reach a high position, you must have blood on your hands."

"This is imperial power."

Huan Rong opened his mouth, his throat seemed to be blocked by a stone, and he could not make a sound for a long time.

"Speaking this to Langjun, I want Langjun to understand that if you want to hold great power, you can't tolerate any kindness. If you want His Royal Highness to be safe, you must not stop at Youzhou Assassin."

"Lang Jun can't retreat now. One step back is the abyss."

"In troubled times, kindness does not necessarily lead to good causes, and tyranny does not necessarily lead to evil results."

A few words were deafening, and they smashed into Huan Rong's mind.

When he came back to his senses, Mrs. Li had already left lightly, and there was only a wisp of warm fragrance left in the corridor, which was instantly blown away by the cold wind.