Chang'an [Rebirth]

"Chai Zheng!" The eldest princess remained majestic, listening to the trembling of Chai Zheng at the foot of the wall, obediently stood up and opened the door and walked in.

The eldest princess said again, "Kneel down."

Chai Zheng knelt on her knees to her parents. In the prison, Sun Qifu’s torture did not make her bend her knees. At this moment, she smashed her knees on the floor without hesitation. With a bang, Chai Yuandao felt pain .

"You brought back the imperial edict. Zhang Fan and Wang Wan belong to you. You were not surprised when you heard the merciless conversation between Zhao Qian and I in the palace. It means that you are already prepared," Zhao Linlang asked her, "you were going to rebel long before the imperial edict came into being, Chai Zheng, you brought the edict back to Chang'an, did you intentionally release the news to attract Zhao Qian's attention? I, against the entire Chai family, just to let us board this thief ship, there is no way out?"

Even though Xiao Ruan did this, Chai Zheng was still dazedly pouring medicine into it at that time, but the daughter-in-law chose it by herself, and she is still satisfied after looking at it now, so she also took the blame.

Chai Zheng raised her head, "Yes!"

The eldest princess's room had eighteen kinds of weapons. She first took out a long snakeskin whip from under the table, and then put it back silently. It was Chai Yuandao who understood her, and quickly delivered a ruler.

"Chai Zheng, I know that Zhao Qian's being the emperor is really a drag on the world, and I also know that he has been suppressing the Chai family, but the king of heaven and earth, master and master, the words of the saints, it is disrespectful for you to plan a rebellion, you are young. , how dare you be so rebellious and bully your lord!"

The eldest princess hit Chai Zheng's palm with a ruler, but she didn't show mercy, and a red mark an inch wide appeared in Chai Zheng's palm instantly.

"Mother, although I am young, for so many years, I have seen that the government orders of the two rivers are not in order, and Ruan Yuzhang, Mr. Ruan, can only save it if it is exhausted. I have also seen the land where Bashu mountains and rivers converge. We have to bear the heavy tax of the year of good harvest, and Mobei... Our current sage wants to hand over Mobei, how much did Mobei sacrifice to protect the inland hinterland for a hundred years?"

Chai Zheng felt a burning pain in her palm, but she still held her head up, "Perhaps Liangjiang, Bashu, and Mobei are not under the eyes of the emperor, so they can't help them with long arms. What about Chang'an City? The current Chang'an City is not even half as prosperous as the late emperor's old age." , at the foot of the Son of Heaven, the most prominent piece of land in Dajing, why can’t even people keep it, except for the officials domineering, the people can’t even eat, isn’t it because the emperor is fatuous?”

"Chai Zheng!" The eldest princess waited for her to finish speaking before hitting her a second time, it was still very heavy, the blood spots were all scattered, and it was green and red, and there was a sudden pain under the skin.

Zhao Linlang said, "I didn't say that you were wrong against Zhao Qian. Today, even I would raise the flag and push him down from the throne. But Chai Zheng, you are only 15 years old. Have you thought it through? Today is Zhao Qian is in a daze, who is it today, how many times do you want to rebel? Or the moment you got the edict to pass the throne, you have already set your sights on Zhao Qian's position, thinking that I will pass the position to you again?"

Chai Zheng could still listen to many words before, and she also knew that since she was young, her parents were afraid of rebelling on a whim, and because she had this ability, she went to change the emperor for Dajing. Zhao Linlang's words really hurt her.

Chai Zheng stood up from the ground in a "flying" motion, clutching the wound on her palm, gritted her teeth and asked the eldest princess, "Mother, in your heart, am I such an ambitious, despicable and dirty person?"

"Every rebellion must have a reason, Chai Zheng, it is the righteousness of the world if you don't open your mouth and keep your mouth shut. It is not you who can really hold up the banner of 'replacing the Dao', but the people you say are in dire straits. You are a dignified Chai Guogong Young master of the mansion, since you have been eating and clothing, you are no less than others, you are not worthy of the righteousness of the world."

Zhao Linlang's tone eased, but what she said still hurt her heart. She said again, "Since you deny that you didn't come for the throne, there must be another reason for you to plot against the entire Duke Chai's mansion. Chai Zheng, I am Your mother, if I misunderstand you because of the imperial edict, what should other people think and understand? If you really ascend to the throne in the future, the world will be full of such voices, how long can you keep the throne, and you will eventually follow Zhao Qian will end alone."

Dad is a gentle person, he has already pulled the ruler out of the eldest princess's hand calmly, and then signaled Chai Zheng to continue kneeling with his eyes, Chai Zheng was so angry that he groaned and thought, "Mother makes sense. "

Although she doesn't care about how the literati and historians record this period of history, she doesn't care about the infamy left after her death, but there are too many rumors, and the world is still not peaceful. If there is system reform, people all over the world will hold the idea of ​​"she can do it, so can I", and riot everywhere, and there will be no peace.

Chai Zheng knelt down again, "Mother, I didn't rebel on a whim, I thought about it carefully, but in order to prevent Zhao Qian from making mistakes again and again, and to protect you and father, I only have this way to go. I can't hold up the banner of 'for □□dao', it is too hypocritical for me, I have suffered, but I have not suffered from growing up in a farmer's family and cannot take care of myself. But there is one thing about the flag people who are not as good as me."

She stopped suddenly, and those memories that had degenerated into scars were found again, Chai Zheng said, "Mother, I have seen Zhao Qian be cruel, father is the first one to die in depression, brother and sister-in-law are the first." The second and the third, all those people in the Chai family tree that I have never met were not spared, mother, and you are the second to last, so I put you at the bottom."

"..." It was over, the child went crazy.

Zhao Linlang hurried up to check Chai Zheng's head, why the palm was still attached to the head, Chai Zheng started talking nonsense after two feet down.

Chai Zheng was tormented enough by her mother, she pushed her hard and breathed out, "Mother, I'm not out of my mind," even if someone believed her claim that she was dead and suddenly fraudulent, Chai Zheng couldn't produce any favorable evidence, so she Put all the pot on Wu Hengluo's head, "When I was two years old, I was kidnapped by the high priest of Musang Kingdom. I saw such a future with him."

"Can you believe the words of the magic stick?" Zhao Linlang changed from rubbing to patting, and slapped Chai Zheng on the back of the head, "What's wrong with learning from your nagging grandfather?"

"The high priest is not an ordinary magic stick." Since Chai Zheng decided to tell the whole story, he no longer concealed it. Qian, he came here specifically to find Wu Hengluo, Xiao Ruan and I hid and saw with our own eyes that all the witnesses that day were silenced by Zhao Qian."

"And Wu Hengluo gave Zhao Qian the order 'Lonely and widowed, not to die well'." Chai Zheng asked her mother, "With Zhao Qian's character, would he not be suspicious? Since I was two years old, I know that Zhao Qian will make a move one day."

Zhao Linlang had no choice but to withdraw her caressing hand. She pulled her face and warned Chai Zheng, "You are my daughter. Even if I haven't seen you for many years, I know you well. If you don't tell the truth... Yuandao, Ruler!"

Chai Yuandao put the ruler back into his sleeve silently, and signaled Chai Zheng to speak quickly. If Lin Lang was really angry, no one in the whole family could stop her.

"..." My mother is too persistent, and she can't be fooled no matter what, Chai Zheng wants to ask Xiao Ruan how she managed to get that one in the family, which is more difficult than plotting a rebellion.

"Mother, to tell you the truth, I have already died once. According to the original trajectory, I will be loyal to the emperor and patriotic in my life, and will do my best to defend the frontier for Zhao Qian until the imperial decree recalls me to Chang'an five years later. In the city of Chang'an , I heard the guillotine beating outside, and all the family members were killed, and I was not spared." Chai Zheng still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were lowered, staring at a repaired crease on the floor .

"Mom, all my dearest and favorite people are dead, and I can't keep any of them, so I can't hold up the banner of 'responsibility for justice'. I will avenge myself first, and the people of the world second." .”

When she fell, there was no sound in the room for a long time, and even Chai Ji, who was still listening to the foot of the wall outside, held his breath... It's no wonder, Chai Ji always felt that his younger sister was too precocious, and some well-educated people would get confused. I don't understand the truth, Chai Zheng is only a few years old, and he seems to have experienced vicissitudes of life, and he speaks clearly.

Although Chai Zheng's words are more like fortune-telling than Wu Hengluo, but mother and father are parents, and when the breath of Chai Zheng's body changes, like a surging tide slowly seeping in with despair, Zhao Linlang Knowing that no matter how bizarre it sounds, Chai Zheng is telling the truth.

Chai Zheng has kept so many secrets in her heart by herself for so many years. Whenever her old friend leaves her sight, Chai Zheng will subconsciously keep up with her for a while until the back is completely gone... Now that I think about it, in Chai Zheng's life, All these small details full of reluctance and tenderness, just like Ruan Linshuang.

The two little girls have been supporting each other for so long. No matter which one is lost, I am afraid that they will not be able to achieve today's career. They would have found someone to hang themselves to death, so as to save themselves from dancing with ghosts when they close their eyes.

Chai Zheng still lowered her head, not daring to look at Zhao Linlang's face, but in the next second, she was embraced by a warm embrace. Zhao Linlang embraced her teenage girl, and Chai Yuandao hugged her For the two of them, Chai Ji opened the door and came in. After thinking for a long time, he couldn't give him a hug, so he could only reach out and touch Chai Zheng's head.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Zhao Linlang asked in her ear, "Mom is most afraid that you will be wronged outside, but it turned out that the wronged you suffered at home... I was beaten hard just now, do your palms still hurt? "

"Mother," Chai Zheng finally spoke with a faint nasal voice, "Xiao Ruan is as miserable as I am, so let's call her when we hug next time."

Chai Zheng snorted again in her heart, "It's nice to have a mother, the beating is worth it."

The prime minister's mansion was full of celebration, all the bright red flowers were put up, and the palace specially sent someone to help arrange them. Ruan Yuzhang has never liked the overcrowding of the mansion. Usually, when he is alone at home, there are only the butler, the cook and the flowers. Carpenter, after Ruan Linshuang came back, there were two more maidservants, but at this time the wedding was imminent, and Ruan Yuzhang, as in-laws, had to cooperate to create a prosperous atmosphere even if he didn't want to move anymore.

Compared to the lively and orderly outside, Ruan Linshuang's room seemed quite quiet, even a little dull.

There is a phoenix coronet and Xiapei on the silver tray, which is much richer than ordinary people’s households. There is no light in the room, and only the sunlight coming in from the window makes the golden thread shine brightly. If this thing is worn on a person’s body , exquisite and luxurious but black.

The two maids who came to serve Ruan Linshuang, one was bought by the housekeeper from the street, she was a bit shy, and she basically followed her since Ruan Linshuang came back, but Ruan Linshuang had stayed in Mobei for a long time, and was used to being self-reliant, so there were many places where she was needed. Many, so most of the time she helps in the kitchen.

The originally skinny little girl grew flesh in dozens of days, and she was not timid when she first entered the mansion. Her original name was Lian Xin, which sounded too bitter. After entering the mansion, Ruan Yuzhang directly changed her name to "little lotus".

There is another one sent by the palace to wait on her, she is older, her name is Yun Xiang, she is nimble and knows the rules, she won't even enter the girl's boudoir if Ruan Linshuang refuses to order her.

At this moment, the two maidservants were also in the room, and Yun Xiang was holding the silver plate in her hand. The bride's stuff from head to toe was placed in it, and it was a bit ridiculously heavy. They were all trembling slightly, but in the end Ruan Linshuang motioned her to put it down first.

"Miss, are you unhappy?" Although Xiao Lian doesn't know the rules, if she bumped into her master like this in the palace, she would have been dragged out and spanked, but the complicated and miserable first half of her life is also destined to be more sensitive to people's faces .

"I heard from the master that the current prince is not bad, he is modest and polite, and he is also likable. The food and clothing sent by this palace are of the highest quality. I think you are the future queen. What's wrong with that? ?”

Ruan Linshuang didn't open her mouth, she was still quietly looking at the colorful clothes under the sun, but it was Yunxiang who asked first, "Girl, do you want to try on your upper body now? If something doesn't fit, you can take it back and change it." .”

As expected of the person chosen by the palace, Yun Xiang had a soft voice, and she also handed over the initiative to Ruan Linshuang.

In fact, everyone in the mansion can see that the young lady is not willing to marry, but now it is difficult to disobey the golden words of the sage, so I can only keep silent and try not to mention this matter, but now the time is getting closer, the dowry has been delivered, and there are some words After all, she wanted to talk, so Yun Xiang said again, "Girl, there is nothing wrong with the palace, as long as you assist His Highness the Crown Prince well, the husband and wife will be as good as each other, and after a long time get used to each other, it will be fine."

Ruan Linshuang still didn't speak, she put her hands on the wedding gown, the soft satin was like a layer of water, rippling slightly with the touch on it, and after a while, Ruan Linshuang said, "Try it on."

Even though there were two maids helping her, and Rue Xiang was still experienced, it took half an hour before she put on the inner layer, and on the outside was a long robe with a trailing tail of nearly two meters, with a whole phoenix embroidered on it. , Lifelike, with a little light on the edge, the phoenix can spread its wings with the sun. If it is worn for a ceremony, and when passing the thousand-layered jade steps of the nine-fold palace, the phoenix may be able to take off.

"I don't look good in this red dress." Ruan Linshuang stood in front of the bronze mirror and looked at herself, while Ruan Xiang and Xiao Lian were flattening the robe, trying to complete the last process.

Xiao Lian struggled to hold her tail high, and Yun Xiang draped the clothes on Ruan Linshuang's shoulders, and first straightened out the complicated cuffs for her. Hearing this, Xiao Lian poked her face out from the bottom of her skirt, and also took a look into the bronze mirror.

The bronze mirror was polished very smooth. Although the color was a bit wrong, it could still reflect the appearance. Ruan Linshuang was wearing a wedding dress, which was more beautiful and gorgeous than the phoenix embroidered on it. That night, when she woke up hungry and went to the kitchen to look for steamed buns, she once saw another girl in the lady's yard——

If it is said that the young lady is a smear of snow on the top of the mountains, then the young lady is a ray of morning glow falling into the world, and this piece of red is really beautiful when she wears it on her body.

For some reason, Xiao Lian felt that her young lady's words were referring to the girl she had caught a glimpse of at home that day.

Sweat broke out on Yunxiang's forehead, and then she helped Ruan Linshuang put on all her clothes. She unfolded the most noble robe and spread it on the ground. Ruan Linshuang looked at it carefully, but she still lacked interest, and even thought out of boredom, " Wearing such grand clothes, can I still wield a sword and kill Chai Zheng?"

"Girl, this dress is worn when the grand ceremony is held. There is another set of wedding dress when leaving the pavilion and entering the bridal chamber. Although it is not so grand, it is also carefully crafted by the brocade weavers in the palace for a month or two. "" Rue Xiang said again, "Your Majesty really values ​​you, the conferment of queen was never so grand before."

Ruan Linshuang smiled slightly, thinking, "Of course Zhao Qian values ​​me. The bigger the scene, the more people will come to watch. Once the news of me stabbing Chai Zheng to death in the street spreads, he can achieve the result he wanted."

Marrying a princess with such a standard was never before in the history of Dajing, not to mention that the prince and the princess have no relationship at all, Zhao Yan has been placed under house arrest, he has no right to choose, just like at this time Ruan Linshuang.

"Miss, if you really don't want to marry, let's not marry," Xiao Lian said suddenly, her words were startling, "This is a big event in a lifetime, it cannot be decided by others, it must be decided by our lady herself."

"Xiao Lian," the sleeves are folded four times, and the material of each layer is different. After passing through the chest and then rolled up, her pale fingertips can be exposed. Ruan Linshuang touched the top of Xiaolian's head, "My marriage is decided by the emperor today. He is the king and I am the minister, so I have to marry. I can't decide this matter."

Xiao Lian was a little unhappy when she heard it, and said something rebellious, "The emperor is the emperor, and the young lady is the young lady, and he is just the young lady's life, so why should he dictate..."

Ruan Xiang's complexion changed, and Ruan Linshuang tapped Xiao Lian's head with her fingertips, "Don't talk nonsense at such a young age... You can only say this when you have the strength to be on an equal footing with the current Holy Majesty."

Ruan Linshuang still had that cool and gentle appearance. She felt tired of the layers of clothes on her body, and was taking off her outer robe. There was no one else in the room, only the "rustling" sound of the clothes rubbing against her.

Yun Xiang pursed her lips. No matter what she heard just now, any one of the words she heard was enough to be accused of "intent to treason", but the Crown Princess said it calmly, as if she could stand at the same height as the monarch, which is nothing more than an ordinary thing After a while, Ruan Linshuang said again, "Xiao Lian is young, and occasionally she speaks rudely, it's just that my elder sister has not disciplined her well. If you want to go back and report to the Holy One, treat these words as my own, and don't implicate innocent people."

"Girl, I..." Ruan Xiang was biting the skin on her lips and was about to refute, when Ruan Linshuang said again, "I don't blame you, you are Zhao Qian's person, and you have no feelings for me, not even a betrayal , your heart is towards Zhao Qian, it is not wrong to do what you do is reasonable, just don't involve others."

Yunxiang lowered her head slowly, "Understood, girl."

"I'm tired, put away my clothes and put them back together, and you all go your own way," Ruan Linshuang said finally.

In a blink of an eye, she was alone in the room again.

It was still early, in order to highlight the bustle of the prime minister's mansion and Zhao Qian was a prodigal, before it was time to light the lanterns, the people from the palace lit up all the lanterns, a good prime minister's mansion, red from the inside to the outside, Ruan Yuzhang's eyes While hurting, I also felt that my house should be haunted.

Fortunately, this situation did not last long, and soon the auspicious wedding day came, and the whole country celebrated with joy. Whenever the officials of the court saw Ruan Yuzhang, they would say congratulations. Only Ruan Yuzhang couldn't be happy, and his excellent self-cultivation made him The perfunctory attitude is very advanced, except for himself, everyone thinks Master Ruan is really happy.

During this period of time, Zhao Qian suddenly removed all the people guarding Chai Guogong's mansion, and said to the hall, "Chai Zheng came back from an injury. He was afraid that the Chai family would be in danger again, so he sent people to guard him inside and out." , to reduce entry and exit, now that Chai Yuandao is back, there is no need to make one move many times, it is better to withdraw everyone."

It sounds high-sounding, but it can only deceive foolish passers-by. Anyone who has fought in the court, who is not seventeen or eighteen minds, how long has the little prince been injured, you can't think of sending someone to protect him, wait for her After recovering from the injury, he suddenly remembered this episode?With the eldest princess' ability and her influence in Chang'an City, she can't keep her family?

Sending people to "protect" at the front foot, and then recruiting Chai Guogong to return to Beijing to report on his duties. In fact, most of Zhao Qian's intentions were tacitly understood. The value is exhausted little by little, the Holy Majesty is going to do it.

As a result, the entire Chang'an City looked very lively, and the number of vendors doubled. They wanted to sell all the stockpiled goods at home on the happy day, but there was an undercurrent surging underneath. The discipline has become even stricter, and they are not even allowed to leave the house for nothing.

In the 15th year of Qizhao, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, it is suitable for marriage, construction of ground, appointment, and everything is suitable.

Ruan Linshuang came out of the pavilion from the prime minister's mansion. She was wearing a bright red long dress with eighteen South Sea pearls on it. A brocade handkerchief covered her eyes and eyebrows. She was carried into the sedan chair by Mu Qing.