Prince Consort

Autumn and winter come.

Scores, collections of words, collections of poems, and story books were all published one after another.This is the happiest year for Princess Yan Ning. She can enjoy Xie Zean's care and love without any worries, and she has left many "legends" of their deep love.There are many worries in this happiness, but Xie Ze'an calms them down one by one.

But just as the severe winter was approaching, Princess Yan Ning was gradually unable to go to the ground.The blood color slowly faded from her face, making her pale and thin.Xie Xiaomei and Zhao Ang rushed all the way, and when they saw Princess Yan Ning, tears flowed down her cheeks.

Princess Yan Ning didn't have much time to wake up, Xie Ze'an asked Dai Shi to handle the county affairs on her behalf, guarding her every step of the way.

In the evening, Princess Yan Ning woke up and saw that Xie Ze'an and Xie Xiaomei were there, and her spirit became a little better.She lowered her eyelashes and asked Xie Ze'an: "I saw it was snowing, Saburo, can you take me to see the snow?"

Xie Ze'an paused, and looked at Elder Yang who was standing by.

Elder Yang turned his eyes away and said, "Go."

Go, go, I can't last this night even if I try hard, it might as well fulfill her wish.

Xie Xiaomei covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying.

Xie Ze'an carefully picked up Princess Yan Ning. She had been ill for many years, and her body was as light as if she didn't exist.He carried Princess Yan Ning into the carriage, and opened the curtain to let her see the snow scene along the way. When he reached the open field, he stepped out of the carriage and looked at the snow that covered the mountains and plains.

The sky is dyed with a golden sunset, which complements the cold light of the snow, which is extremely beautiful.Princess Yan Ning was so dazzled that she didn't feel cold, nor sad or afraid.When the sun sets, the Ming Dynasty will still rise, and the end of life is not the end of everything.She gently snuggled into Xie Zean's arms, and whispered: "Sanlang..."

Meeting you is really the luckiest thing in my life.

Xie Ze held Princess Yan Ning firmly.

The person in his arms seemed to be in a deep sleep, and looked so peaceful, but his breathing stopped slowly, his body gradually became cold, and he had no breath when night fell.

Xie Ze'an looked at the dark night, closed his eyes gently, leaned on the carriage and hugged Princess Yan Ning without moving.

Xie Xiaomei couldn't bear it anymore, she hugged Zhao Ang and cried.Only when her tears wet Zhao Ang's skirt did she leave Zhao Ang's arms, and pulled Xie Ze'an with sobs: "Brother, go back, let's go back. Brother, brother——"

When Xie Xiaomei yelled for the fourth time, Xie Ze'an came back to his senses, raised his head and said, "Okay."

Back at the county government office, Xie Hui and his wife, Liang Jian, Duan Wang, and Xie Dalang were all there. Seeing Xie Zean coming back with Princess Yan Ning in his arms, Mrs. Xie stepped forward and asked, "Is Yan Ning okay?"

Xie Zean remained silent.

Xie Xiaomei said for him: "Sister-in-law has...already gone." After speaking, she broke down in tears.

Mrs. Xie looked at Xie Ze'an worriedly.

After consulting Xie Hui's opinion, Xie Dalang waved to Zhao Ang, and got busy with Zhao Ang.

When the news came back to the capital, Zhao Chongzhao was dealing with government affairs.He has been extremely busy this year, and he has gained a reputation for diligence, but his life is not pleasant in every way.There were fewer letters from Liangzhou, and fewer letters from him. The distance between the two places seemed to have really weakened the brother-sister relationship between him and Yan Ning.

Suddenly hearing the news from the servant, the pen in Zhao Chongzhao's hand fell to the ground.

Zhao Chongzhao's hands were trembling: "Didn't you say you can live for another ten years? It's only been eight years, and this is only the eighth year!"

The servant did not dare to speak.

Zhao Chongzhao panted slightly, wishing he could go to Liangzhou right away.He didn't believe it, he didn't believe it at all.Isn't it just one or two letters missing?Just a month or two...

Zhao Chongzhao turned his head and stared at the servant: "Why was there no news before this?"

The servant took two steps back in fright, knelt on the ground and trembled.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Where's Zhang Dade? Find Zhang Dade!"

The servant scrambled and scrambled down the ground.

Zhang Dade was still covered in ashes when he arrived. He was sent by Zhao Chongzhao to take care of the warehouse. He was so idle that he simply packed it up by himself. He remembered clearly how much he saved every year and how much he put into the warehouse. Every treasure He wiped them all carefully.There is no way, if he doesn't find something for himself to do, he is afraid that he will become depressed and extreme like everyone else.

Hearing Zhao Chongzhao's call, Zhang Dade's heart skipped a beat, and he almost broke the porcelain bowl in his hand.

He didn't even change his clothes, and hurried to the imperial study.

Zhao Chongzhao watched Zhang Dade kneeling there upright, and gritted his teeth slightly.

After changing so many people back and forth, few of them went smoothly.Zhang Dade followed him early and understood his thoughts best, but Zhang Dade followed him too early and was so close to Xie Ze'an, so he didn't want to see Zhang Dade again.

I didn't expect that without a useful person around me, I could become deaf and blind.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Zhang Dade, have you received any letter from Liangzhou during this time?"

Zhang Dade's heart was pounding, and he replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I don't care about this anymore, so naturally I can't receive the letter."

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Really? You didn't go to see your brother either? Didn't you hear anything from him?"

Zhang Dade kowtowed on the ground: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there really isn't one. Eldest brother is very busy this year, and he can't greet me when I go, so I have been out of the palace for the past few months, and I haven't seen him."

Zhao Chongzhao looked indifferent: "Didn't you often correspond with them before?"

Zhang Dade went in without knowing, and after hearing this, he thought that something happened to Xie Ze'an, which aroused Zhao Chongzhao's suspicion.Sweat dripped from Zhang Dade's palms, thinking of the lifeless life of the past six months, and thinking of his elder brother Xie Ze'an's difficult situation, he gritted his teeth, kowtowed, and said, "I don't know what happened between your Majesty and the third... What's the problem, the son-in-law has always been thinking of your majesty. Before the son-in-law went to Liangzhou, I was ordered to announce the decree, and the son-in-law also told me to be loyal to your majesty, and not to leak anything in the palace even to him and my brother."

Zhao Chongzhao raised his head and looked at him coldly: "You remember I said not to mention him?"

Zhang Dade stopped talking.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "It sounds so nice, but it's just that he doesn't care. He doesn't want to know about the affairs of the palace at all. Of course he can persuade you like this with a high-sounding sound."

Zhang Dade opened his eyes wide.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Go, go through all the letters in the past few months and find out all the letters from Liangzhou."

Zhang Dade said: "Including those written by the son-in-law?"

Zhao Chongzhao severely broke the pen in his hand.

He glared at Zhang Dade and said, "Yes, including!"

Zhang Dade took the order and left, and brought back several letters half an hour later.Zhao Chongzhao didn't want to hear news from Liangzhou, and when someone sent it up, he would always push back. The servants below were all smart people, how could he not see that Zhao Chongzhao had something against the people in Liangzhou?Over time, they all directly suppressed the letters from Liangzhou to the end, and even didn't send them at all.

Three of the letters were written by Xie Ze'an.

Princess Yan Ning couldn't write two months ago, Xie Ze'an wrote a letter on her behalf, wanting to inform Zhao Chongzhao of Yan Ning's condition.There was no reply after a month, Xie Ze'an wrote two more letters, and at the same time wrote to Xie Xiaomei asking her to go to Liangzhou.As a result, Xie Xiaomei and Zhao Ang rushed over, and Zhao Chongzhao's letter hadn't been opened yet.

Zhao Chongzhao's hands were shaking after reading the letter.

His sister is gone, the sister he loved since childhood is gone.And when she was on the verge of life and death, he didn't know it, he only thought that she was still living happily in Liangzhou - and even hated her for living so happily.

Zhao Chongzhao threw the letter heavily on the ground.

A month later, Xie Ze'an Fuling returned to Beijing.

This year, the story of the princess consort was widely spread, and many people came out to see it along the way. Seeing the concubine leading the way, with a haggard look, they were filled with regret.

There was no noise from anyone.

Halfway through the long street, two teams of guards filed out and quickly cleared away the onlookers on both sides of the street.Immediately afterwards, someone came out from the imperial city on horseback, facing Xie Zean and his party head-on.

The person on the horse is tall and heroic, whoever he is if he is not His Majesty today.

Xie Ze'an paused, got off his horse, and saluted Zhao Chongzhao: "Your Majesty."

Seeing that he didn't look at him, Zhao Chongzhao walked quickly to the coffin and stared at the closed coffin.He was still a living person when he went there, but he was lying in a cold coffin when he came back——

Zhao Chongzhao stood firmly in front of the coffin, all the past lingering in his mind.Obviously should be a living person, obviously should come back alive...

Zhao Chongzhao turned around and stared at Xie Ze'an fiercely.

Zhao Chongzhao had countless words to question Xie Zean, but in the end he could only hide his anger in his fierce eyes.

This is the street, next to the coffin, no matter how you look at it, it is not a good place to get to the bottom of it.

Zhao Chongzhao took Xie Zean's place without saying a word.

Until Princess Yanning entered the imperial mausoleum, Zhao Chongzhao never had a word with Xie Ze'an.This abnormal change fell into the eyes of many people, and they all speculated about what happened between them.

Xie Ze'an was busy with Princess Yanning's funeral and did not visit his teachers and friends as usual.There is no need to suspend official mourning for the loss of his wife, as long as he stays away from feasting, drinking and sex within a year. He plans to stay in the capital for a day or two before returning to Liangzhou.

Xie Zean closed the door to thank the guests, and returned to his small courtyard to read quietly.

At noon, Xie Ze'an was about to take a nap when someone suddenly came from the palace, saying that Zhao Chongzhao wanted to summon him.Xie Ze'an was startled, thanked the servant, stood up and followed him into the palace.

The weather is not good, the snow is already very thick, it is a bit difficult to walk.

Xie Ze'an was a little absent-minded, his left foot got stuck in the snow accidentally, and he pulled his foot out of the snow with the help of the servant.

Seeing this, the servant whispered, "Sanlang, what happened to you and His Majesty?"

Back then in the East Palace, Xie Zean and Zhao Chongzhao were so good. As soon as Xie Zean arrived, Zhao Chongzhao immediately beamed, and the whole East Palace would be happy at that moment.This year Zhao Chongzhao threw Zhang Dade to manage the treasury, that place is not unimportant, but it is better than serving in front of Zhao Chongzhao.Reminiscent of Zhao Chongzhao's order years ago that everyone should not mention "Xie Sanlang" again. Everyone knows that something happened between Xie Ze'an and Zhao Chongzhao.

Facing the concerned look in the servant's eyes, Xie Ze'an said: "It's nothing, I had a quarrel with Your Majesty, and we couldn't make it up. Your Majesty probably doesn't want to see me..."

The servant asked worriedly: "Sanlang, can't you have a good talk with His Majesty?"

Xie Ze'an paused, and said: "Some things are not good to say." He looked at the servant gently, "Don't mention me in front of Your Majesty, let alone tell Your Majesty that I have talked with you about this."

"I know." The servant's voice was lowered: "Your Majesty has issued an order a few years ago not to let us mention you."

Xie Ze'an said, "Is that so..."

He only said these three words, and did not speak again.The waiter felt that such silence made his heart ache. He turned his head and saw that Xie Ze'an was still the same "Xie Sanlang" back then, and his face was still a childish boy, not much older, but his eyelashes drooped slightly. Hide something, no longer as unrestrained and fearless as a child.

The servant didn't say much anymore, and just watched whether Xie Ze'an fell into the snow all the way.

When they got near the palace gate, the snow on the road was swept away, the road was very smooth, and the two of them quickened their pace.Soon, the imperial study room appeared in front of my eyes.

In the past, Xie Ze'an was a frequent visitor to the imperial study, and he often learned how to handle government affairs with Zhao Chongzhao by Zhao Ying's side.Once inside, Xie Ze'an found that the Imperial Study Room had changed a lot.

Once the emperor and the courtiers, a mere imperial study, how could it be possible to remain unchanged?

Xie Ze'an had a great reputation and didn't need to kneel down, so he stood with his hands folded and said respectfully, "Your Majesty."

He abides by the etiquette of his ministers in every move, and he can't find any mistakes.

Zhao Chongzhao did not respond.

Xie Zean smiled wryly in his heart.

This situation was caused by him alone, and the bitter fruit of today can only be swallowed by himself.

Xie Ze'an shouted again: "Your Majesty."

Zhao Chongzhao was always suppressing the anger in his heart.

He raised his eyes and looked at Xie Ze'an: "I came to you to ask, why did Ning'er's body go wrong so early? Mr. Yang clearly said that it can be guaranteed for ten years."

Xie Zean fell silent.

Xie Ze'an discussed this issue with Elder Yang, and Elder Yang made it very clear that Princess Yan Ning's mood went up and down during that time, which aggravated her condition.Xie Ze'an thought of many reasons when he heard it: Zhao Chongzhao's feelings for him, Zhao Ying's death, King Duan's ambition...

Princess Yan Ning is already very good at making it through.

Many things here are related to Zhao Chongzhao.

But Xie Ze'an couldn't say that, Zhao Chongzhao was almost pushed to the breaking point.If Zhao Chongzhao felt that Yan Ning's early death was related to him, Zhao Chongzhao would not be able to survive.

Xie Ze'an lowered his head slightly: "I just took office, I have too many things to do, and I have neglected a lot of things... I didn't take good care of her."

Zhao Chongzhao stood up and approached step by step: "I will hand over Ning'er to you, and it's fine if you don't take care of it!" He stretched out his hand and grabbed Xie Ze'an's collar, "You say you love Ning'er, you are Love her like this?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Your Majesty calm down—"

Zhao Chongzhao said: "How can you tell me to calm down! I only have one younger sister! I only have one younger sister, Ning'er! I have no one else!"

Xie Ze'an didn't struggle: "I'm sorry."

Zhao Chongzhao stared at Xie Ze'an's face which was close at hand. It was a bit haggard, a bit guilty, and a bit sad, just the look a young man who lost his wife should have.

Zhao Chongzhao let go of his hand abruptly, clenched his fist and said, "Get out—you get out!" He put down his harsh words viciously, "Go back to Liangzhou, and don't let me see you again!"

Xie Ze'an said "Mm", and then bowed respectfully: "The humble minister has stepped back."

Zhao Chongzhao watched Xie Zean turn around and shouted, "Stop."

Xie Ze'an turned his head and looked at Zhao Chongzhao.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Ning'er was so affectionate with you when you were alive, I hope you will cleanse yourself in the future and don't cause any scandal." He took two steps forward and sneered, "If you let me know what you have done. I will never let you go."

Xie Ze'an said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty." He lowered his eyelashes, "I will never marry again in this life."

Xie Ze'an walked out of the imperial study room, the snow fell even more heavily.

The sky seems to have collapsed, and the gray clouds piled up there, as if pressing on people's hearts.Xie Ze'an walked out for a while, and bumped into Prime Minister Meng who was oncoming.

Prime Minister Meng looked at Xie Ze'an complicatedly.

Zhao Ying's will is indeed in his hands, but Zhao Chongzhao has walked steadily in the past two years, and Xie Ze'an watched Zhao Chongzhao drift away again. Is it really useful to persuade the ruler to fall into Xie Ze'an's hands?

Zhao Ying left this card, maybe it is useless.

Xie Ze'an said hello respectfully: "Mr. Meng."

Prime Minister Meng said, "Sanlang, have you gone to see His Majesty?"

Xie Ze'an said, "Yes."

Prime Minister Meng couldn't help persuading him: "You and Your Majesty are friends, and the friendship should be very deep. If there is any misunderstanding, you should find a way to solve it." Leave the persuasion ruler to Xie Ze'an...

Xie Ze'an showed a slight smile: "Meng Xiang, some things can't be done well if the friendship is too deep."

Prime Minister Meng's heart skipped a beat.

Persuading the emperor to persuade the emperor is not a good job at all, let's see what happened to those people at Yushitai?There are too many people offended, and they are often changed like a lantern.

And the word "persuading the emperor" offended Zhao Chongzhao.

This is not something for people who have a deep friendship with Zhao Chongzhao.

Only those who are capable, courageous, and loyal to the court can make good use of it.

He was obviously the best at balancing, but he didn't understand Zhao Ying's intentions.

Prime Minister Meng's gaze towards Xie Ze'an changed.There are many people who are optimistic about Xie Ze'an in the court. Although he has only been in office for two years, his name has gradually spread throughout Liangzhou.To become a magistrate before the age of the weak crown, to say that his future is limitless is to underestimate him...

What will he do in another ten or twenty years?

If Xie Ze'an and Zhao Chongzhao were like brothers again, and Zhao Chongzhao obeyed him as before, what would happen?

Obviously, it is definitely not what Zhao Ying likes.

A persuasion ruler is enough to break this situation.

No matter how deep the friendship is, Zhao Chongzhao will not like someone who obstructs him from doing what he wants to do all day long in the name of "persuading the ruler".The more high-ranking he was, the more he could not be controlled by others, Zhao Chongzhao would be more afraid of Xie Zean than anyone else, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he would firmly suppress Xie Zean to prevent him from truly being a minister.

This not only restricted Zhao Chongzhao, but also restricted Xie Zean.

Zhao Ying has always been like this in his work, and he will always follow this link. Few people can guess his real thoughts.

Unexpectedly, Xie Ze'an could see clearly...

Prime Minister Meng was shocked, and turned his head to look at Xie Zean's back as he walked away slowly.

There were thousands of thoughts in his mind, but in the end he just let out a low sigh.

Xie Ze'an clearly saw clearly, but he was still willing to step into the deadlock that was set up for him. He was indeed a student of Yao Dingyan and Xu Juncheng.