[Red House] But for the sake of the king

Jia Zhu went back to Jinling to take the provincial examination as early as the end of July, but after the three-day examination, she didn't say what her grades were, but her face was very haggard.As soon as he left the examination room, before the servants waiting outside had time to step forward, Jia Zhu fell straight to the ground, and only gradually woke up three days later.And when he forced himself to go back to Beijing, Jia Lian also brought Sister Feng and a group of servants, and happily went to other provinces to become a small prefect with a letter of appointment.

Lin Ruhai was lazy to take care of the affairs of the mansion, and even evaded Jia Min's proposal of helping Jia Zheng get promoted.King Zhongshun and the old man were about to arrive, and according to the news, they brought another person back this time, and it turned out to be the eldest prince of Tatar, Yeluqi.Before the people here arrived at the capital, there was an urgent message from eight hundred li in the northwest, a letter written by Yelvding, Prince of Tatar, saying that if the eldest prince is not escorted back to the country within a month, he will meet with soldiers.

Jun Qi was so anxious that he got angry, no matter how much chrysanthemum tea he drank, the foam at the corner of his mouth was glistening for several days.Although they had already made preparations for the war, it seemed that they had made a mistake and lost the opportunity before their troops moved.If the other small countries really listened to what Yeluding said or took this opportunity to collude with the Tatars to attack together regardless of whether it was true or not, it is not impossible that the matter on Baekje has not been clarified yet.At that time, he will really be attacked from both sides, no matter how much preparation he makes, he will not be able to withstand the two sides.One is limited troops, and the other is limited generals.

Lin Ruhai saw that he had lost his former composure, and he was pacing back and forth, unable to stop for a moment.Yin persuaded, "You should do it first and rest for a while. You have been walking for a long time, why bother to come. There are also people at the gate of the city to meet you, and there are escorts all the way to the palace gate. Nothing will happen. Didn't you just say that there is at least half a day left?" Is the hour here, just wait."

Jun Qi flicked his sleeves, "Hey, it's all trouble caused by the sixth son, take Yeluqi to do something well, and there will be no more troubles. I'm so anxious, you are calm, aren't you? You have been worrying about the Northwest for two years. Now that we are really going to meet each other, you should not be in a hurry."

Lin Ruhai really sat comfortably on the kang, drank a sip of tea, and got eight taels of top-quality Dahongpao this year, which was all tribute, but it was extremely precious. "Now that we've reached this point, no matter how anxious we are, it won't help. It's better to wait and see what happens. The emperor has always been stable, and there is a tendency to keep his face unmoved when Mount Tai collapses in front of him. Why are you in such a hurry today?"

Jun Qi was at a loss for words, if only Yeluding alone wouldn't make him panic like this, it's really the tedious trivial matters these past few days, which disturbed his dizziness and made him feel very depressed.Jun Qi finally sat down, but it was not the usual seat, he sat directly beside Lin Ruhai, "The old man called me away a few days ago and talked a lot. I just realized that he is so old now, With white hair all over his head and wrinkled face, he looks like an ordinary old man, who still has the aura of pointing out the country. He said a lot, from when he succeeded to the throne when he was young to being in charge, and regretted the pain when he abolished his eldest brother, he also said This throne is the most unsuitable for me to sit on, but he just chose me. Do you think it’s ridiculous? As a prince, who has never thought about this seat, but we have known since childhood that this seat can only belong to the elder brother in the future My mother taught me since I was a child to learn the doctrine of the mean, restrain my sharpness, and be willing to be mediocre. I never thought about competing for this seat. Anyway, there are only me and Lao Liu left. Lao Liu has been favored since he was a child, and even I thought his succession was a certainty. Who knew that the old man would open such a big deal Just kidding, throw this mess to me. Do you still remember what I said that day? If one day I could choose by myself, I would rather live in a commoner hut, clear porridge and side dishes, and live a happy life. But now that I sit in this seat, I always want to Take that responsibility."

Lin Ruhai didn't interrupt, and let him chatter away.He could vaguely sense that something had happened to the old man, otherwise he wouldn't have called Jun Qi away for no reason.Since the old man has talked with Jun Qi openly and honestly, it must be a good thing for him.He also remembered what Jun Qi said, but at that time he only regarded Jun Qi as the son of a big family and didn't pay much attention to it.Even he bears the burden of the rise and fall of the Lin family, who can hide from it.And the so-called small hermits live in the wild, and the big hermits live in the city. The so-called hermits are just an excuse for their own weakness and incompetence.If it is really iron-clad, why fear the dangers of the world.

Jun Qi talked for a long time, and finally got back to the topic, "The imperial doctor said that the old man's body is probably not good enough. After all, he is old, and he was injured on the battlefield when he was young. He looks strong, but he is empty inside. The old man himself understood, and he seemed to let everything go. He told me about his original plan. He really wanted Concubine Zhen's third prince to succeed him. He continued to be the Supreme Emperor, but he was a powerful Supreme Emperor. He also said I don't know why I was so obsessed with the throne that day. I'm afraid I was used to being the emperor, and I didn't get used to it for a while. I killed one son with my own hands, and wanted to kill the second. I can understand why the sixth son didn't become the emperor. The old man just wanted to find a puppet, so naturally he couldn't bear to let the youngest son who has always been loved by him go. I should hate him for delaying my mother and plotting against me, but he is my father after all. "

Speaking of later, Jun Qi's thoughts were already chaotic.He didn't know whether everything in front of him was true or not, but he was overwhelmed by the boredom accumulated in his heart for many days, and he always wanted to speak out, at least to let himself relax.But who to tell, no one, the emperor is a lonely family, there is no one to talk to.It's just that when he saw Lin Ruhai, he thought, maybe it wasn't absolute.At least compared to him, there is also Ruhai, who can get to know each other in private.

Big hands clasped together, but this time their fingers were tightly clasped. Jun Qi increased the strength of his hands like a madman, wishing that the two hands would be inlaid together and never separate.The body temperature that does not belong to him makes him feel the reality of this world.It was like a person who fell into the water clinging to the driftwood tightly, Jun Qi didn’t dare to relax a bit, it seemed to be a link between him and reality, there was a voice telling him in the dark, he couldn’t let go, once he let go, he would fall into a trap. The point of no return.

The pain in his hands didn't make Lin Ruhai remind him aloud that Jun Qi must have experienced more than what he said in the past few days, otherwise he wouldn't have lost his composure.Life is alive, whether it is a prince, general or common people, there are always difficulties.He had no official position back then, and he still had to do things that he had to do. Now that he is in a high position, there are many things that he is unwilling to do instead of doing things that cannot be done.Not to mention that Jun Qi is an emperor, as he said, even who is favored by the harem is not up to him to decide. It is conceivable that other things are more difficult to follow one's inclinations.

When Dai Quan came in, even with his head down, he could feel the different dull atmosphere in the study room. He has cultivated to be fine, so he will not be troublesome, "Report to the emperor, Prince Zhongshun has arrived, and he is waiting outside the palace now."

Jun Qi spoke, his voice was unnaturally hoarse, "Chuan." It was just one word, as if he had exhausted all his strength.Just immersed in his own thoughts, if Dai Quan hadn't appeared in time, he didn't know what else he would do.This is so unlike him. For more than thirty years, the only thing he is confident in is his extraordinary self-control and inner control.This kind of self-confidence suddenly collapsed today, and let Ru Hai see the side he least wanted to show.

When Zhongshun Wang Junyou came in, the study had already returned to calm, one monarch and one minister, one sitting and one standing, it was very normal.It was Jun You who messed up this errand, feeling a little uneasy, "My brother has seen the emperor, and this trip to the northwest was ruined, so I have come here to plead guilty."

Jun Qi smiled and said, "I still know that I am called Brother Huang. It seems that I am not stupid. Get up. Where are the old man and Yeluqi?"

Jun You stood up and hid behind Lin Ruhai, "The old man said that he failed to complete the task entrusted by the emperor's brother. He was ashamed and went back to his thatched cottage. Yeluqi did not dare to meet without the emperor's brother. At the moment, I am waiting in the side hall."

Jun Qi didn't think that the old man would think that he was "shameless", probably because he didn't want to see the emperor, and he didn't want to enter the palace.It's just that Yeluqi said, "Hmph, they brought people all the way from the northwest. Now that they don't dare, why don't they hurry up... Forget it, let him wait, you first bring the people from the northwest The situation is over."

Jun You felt that something was wrong with the emperor's brother today, and subconsciously hid back, almost half of his body was hidden behind Lin Ruhai, "It was carried out according to your order and according to the plan, Yelu Qi also cooperated very well. It was just that Yeluding discovered our identities somehow, and imprisoned me, the old man, and Yeluqi. But half a month later, I don’t know why, and we were released again. Yes, and I asked my younger brother to bring you a letter, the emperor must have seen it."

Jun Qi stood up and walked in front of him.Lin Ruhai immediately stepped aside to avoid being affected by the two brothers.Jun You stretched out his hand to pull Lin Ruhai back, but he finally withdrew his hand embarrassingly under Jun Qi's stare.As soon as Jun Qi opened his mouth, he scolded his head and covered his face, "What are you going to do? You can't even speak clearly. You don't look like a prince. After listening to you talking for a long time, it's better to go and see the memorial sent back! I don't know. I don’t know, I don’t know anything, how do you know that you are under house arrest? You brought someone back without knowing anything, who gave you the courage! The matter of the Northwest is the most important thing, how many times have I told you Let you do something, it’s fine if it goes wrong, it’s someone else’s business anyway. Now it’s good, Yelvding is given the ready-made excuse to send troops, you can talk about what to do.”

Jun You stood there without saying a word, feeling a little aggrieved in his heart.Obviously, it was this good third brother who fooled him that day, and he said that everything is up to the old gentleman, he is just a helper, and having the status of a prince can make Yeluqi feel afraid, and it is easier to accept this plan.But now it's good, such a scolding seems like he deliberately screwed up.He didn't reveal this identity, and the conversation with Yeluqi was all done by the old man. Is it wrong for him to stay peacefully in the inn?Besides, Yeluqi wasn't what he wanted to bring, but he insisted on following him with a stern face.With legs growing on him, can others stop him?It's just that the third brother is the emperor after all, what can he say, and he can only knock out his teeth and swallow it in his stomach.

But Lin Ruhai couldn't listen any longer, King Zhongshun had provoked an innocent disaster this time, it was obvious that this person hadn't vented his internal anger just now, and now he was venting his anger on him.It's just that the eldest prince is still waiting in the side hall, and Yelvding is watching over the border, so it's important to get down to business, "Your Majesty, the matter has come to this, if you don't think about a remedy first, it's not too late. Isn’t there still a one-month deadline to send troops. Why don’t you call Yeluqi here first and discuss the countermeasures.”

Jun Qi snorted, went back to the kang and sat down, but didn't say a word.Lin Ruhai winked at Jun You, Jun You understood, and immediately said, "Chen brother, go and call someone over."

Just after Jun You went out, Jun Qi gave Lin Ruhai a weird look, and didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes made people feel extremely uncomfortable.Lin Ruhai didn't understand what he meant, and he didn't care about him, anyway, he has become like this today, even if he does something out of the ordinary, he doesn't think it's a big deal.

It was really surprising when Yeluqi came in.It is hard to ignore the completely different appearance from the Central Plains people, but it is not as rough and sturdy as the Tartars.The outline of the facial features is unusually prominent, with protruding browbones, deep-set eye sockets, and a straight nose. Her skin is fairer than that of ordinary women. If she hadn't been wearing this men's clothing, she might have been mistaken for a daughter.

Yeluqi did not kneel down, but according to Tatar etiquette, he clenched his fist in front of his chest and bent slightly, "Yeluqi has seen His Majesty the Celestial Dynasty."

Jun Qi didn't blame him for his rudeness, "Excuse me. The prince traveled thousands of miles to the middle land. I don't know what's the matter? Your lord is very worried, and he said that I was the one who took the prince captive. Woolen cloth."

Yeluqi had no shame on his face, but seemed more angry, "Yeluqi has an unfeeling request, and I hope His Majesty Tianchao can lend a helping hand. Xiaowang is very grateful."

Jun Qi smiled and said, "I'm still confused now, if the prince doesn't explain the matter clearly, I'm afraid it will be the court who suffers."

Yeluqi looked at the two on the side in embarrassment. He already knew Junyou, but there was another one who looked like a minister, and what he wanted to say could not be known to anyone.

Jun Qi followed his gaze, and said indifferently, "Master Lin is my confidant, the prince need not have any scruples."

Only then did Yeluqi feel relieved, and said slowly, "If you think about it, your majesty knows that my uncle is not a cheap lamp. This time it is just an excuse to send troops. Even if your majesty really handed me over, next time he will Or he will attack the Celestial Dynasty under other names. It is better to take this opportunity to beat him back. If the little king succeeds in succeeding his father's throne, he will submit to the Celestial Dynasty, pay tribute every year, and never invade the south. I wonder what your Majesty's opinion is? "

Jun Qi seemed to have heard the big joke, but he didn't expect the prince to be so naive, "Hahaha, I don't know where the prince got the confidence to come to discuss this business with me. If I hand you over now, Yu Zhen There is nothing to lose, and we can still seek temporary stability in the northwest. This time, we are at fault. If next time, I will not lose my tongue again, and naturally I will not let Master Yeluding become famous. The prince wants me to help you win it. For the throne, you have to come up with some bargaining chips."

Yeluqi blushed, he was alone now, so there was no bargaining chip to give, those promises just now were already his bottom line.All he wanted was to defeat Yelvding and make him kneel at his feet begging for mercy.The reason why he came to the capital with Junyou was also a gamble. Since His Majesty would send someone to help him seize the throne, maybe he could also send troops to attack Yelvding.Later, Yelvding's war letter was exactly what he wanted, and he thought that Yelvding would be smashed to pieces by the hand of the Celestial Dynasty, but he didn't want to say a few words before hitting a wall.

Jun Qi secretly thought that he chose the wrong person, but since all the people have been sent to the door, it would be a pity not to make the best use of everything, "Prince, go back and think about it, your uncle gave me a one-month deadline, and I will give you ten Days are the limit, if you figure it out, it’s not too late. The sixth son, take good care of the prince, he is a distinguished guest. As for where to live, I think your house is good. Well, I still have something to discuss with Mr. Lin. You go down first."

Jun You held back the words of refusal and couldn't say it out, and took Yeluqi back to the mansion in dismay.As usual, facing such a beauty, he would have to tease her a little bit. If she was of low status, someone would naturally put her on his bed.The first time he saw the prince, it was not that he didn't have unruly thoughts, but after getting along with him, he found that Yeluqi's mind was a bit out of control, and he wasn't easy to mess with, and he was afraid of being punished by the emperor, so he put aside his thoughts .It's not that he's hungry and hungry, he looks a little confused, but he's clear in his heart.

So as soon as he returned to the palace, Jun You threw him into a side courtyard, and ordered his servants to take good care of him, and not to let other people disturb Yeluqi.Yeluqi was feeling sad to himself, no matter what he said.On the contrary, Princess Zhongshun saw that he hadn't come back for half a year, and brought a beautiful-looking Fanbang with her when she came. She was afraid that he was a new favorite, so she almost went to look for Yelu Qi Liwei.Fortunately, Jun You was well aware of Wang Hao's temper, so he asked someone to go over and make it clear, thus avoiding an incident.

Jun Qi originally said that he had something to discuss with Lin Ruhai, so he stayed.But after more than half an hour, without saying a word, he sent people back again.

Lin Ruhai had already seen the strangeness today, and resigned like a good man, and left the palace, but he didn't want to have a thunderbolt waiting for him at home.