The shadow of the country

The discord between the emperor and the empress dowager in the palace has not subsided, and there are rumors that the reason why the emperor has not registered a concubine in the harem is that the emperor is not good at women, and he does not like women, but men.Marquis Zhongning had always been close to the emperor, so he was naturally regarded as the first object of suspicion.And Yilan was once again pushed to the forefront.

After the Empress Dowager heard the rumors, she was furious, and ordered Yi to find out the source of the rumors immediately.The Empress Dowager is a person who eats vegetarian food and recites Buddhism, and now she also ordered the execution of the eunuchs and maids who first spread the rumors.Can't help but make other people tremble with fear.

Three days later, Yilan went to Shoukang Palace again to pay her respects.These three days have passed, and the Empress Dowager has calmed down a lot.After Yilan greeted her, the Empress Dowager waved her hand to signal Yilan to sit down, and said: "The Ai family thought it over clearly, the emperor's grandmother likes Linxi and Wanlu, but the grandson doesn't necessarily like it. The Ai family should ask you Opinion, see if you like it. The emperor's concubine still wants to marry, and the continuation of the bloodline of the dragon heir can't be delayed. If you have a daughter of any family, tell the emperor's grandmother. The emperor's grandmother will help you prepare."

After Yi Lan heard this, she was startled in her heart. With the empress dowager's temper, it is indeed a lot of concessions to be able to say this.But this time he couldn't budge.The Empress Dowager still insisted on his wedding.But now it affects the whole body - even a little bit of concession would be a great harm to Mu Yan.Yi Lan was silent for a long time, finally gritted her teeth and lifted the hem of the dragon robe, and knelt down to the Empress Dowager, "I also ask the royal mother to forgive my son and minister for not obeying orders. I wish to put the people first in my life, and work diligently in political affairs to make up for my mistakes."

The empress dowager glanced coldly at Yilan's face, "Does the emperor know what kind of rumors about you are spreading in the palace now? The Aijia killed a few court ladies and eunuchs who were the first to spread the rumors. But after all, the long-mouthed On them, speech cannot be stopped by power and will. If someone spreads it, others will believe it. How do you let those veterans and people treat you? People's words are terrifying, doesn't the emperor not understand this truth?"

Yilan took a light breath: "My son understands, it's just that I don't like women now, so why bother to delay their future? Besides, my son has no intention of getting married at all..."

"Delay the future?" The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, "The best future for a woman is to enter the palace to serve the emperor. Which woman in the world does not want to marry the emperor? Why do you say 'delay'? Do you really want to let people know?" Is it rumored that the current emperor is a man with broken sleeves? Ai Jia believes that there is no such relationship between you and Zhong Ninghou, but even if the emperor does not like a woman, he should get married as soon as possible to put down the rumors outside."

It was at this time that Yilan suddenly realized the sophistication of the Empress Dowager, her words were so meticulous and decent that people couldn't even find a reason to refuse.Compared with the Empress Dowager, he himself is still not mature enough.Yi Lan remained where she was, without saying a word.Silent, also silently resisting.

Before the Empress Dowager spoke again, a young eunuch came in ignorantly and asked for an order, "Empress Dowager, lunch has been prepared in the imperial dining room. It's time for the Empress Dowager to eat."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand to the eunuch in the imperial dining room with a cold face, "They're all withdrawn, the Ai family doesn't need it."

The little eunuch looked distressed, and asked Yi Lan, "Your Majesty, this...?"

"The empress dowager's lunch is brought in, you all leave." Yi Lan ordered.

The little eunuch kept silent, no matter how hard he looked, he could see that this situation should be avoided.After serving all the lunch, he retreated cautiously.

After all the palace people retreated, only Yi Lan and the Empress Dowager remained in the entire Shoukang Palace. "Imperial Grandmother, is there anything that cannot be discussed calmly? Do you have to go on a hunger strike to force your son and minister? Imperial grandmother, let's have a meal, and you must not damage the phoenix body for your son."

The empress dowager's expression was still indifferent, "The emperor has been refusing to get married for a long time, and Panyun is doomed to have no successors. How can the Ai family have the face to meet my ancestors of Panyun?" The empress dowager closed her eyes again, "The emperor doesn't need to waste his time persuading me, this old woman. Ai's family is already old, and it is a great fortune to be able to assist the kings of the three dynasties. This is the only thing that has failed the most in more than forty years. I can only pay my respects to my ancestors with death." Sorry."

Yi Lan choked for a moment and couldn't say a word.As an emperor, it is indeed very unethical to delay getting married until the age of 23.The Empress Dowager is already old, and if she is forced to go on a hunger strike like this, how can her body bear it?For some reason, he had to make the most difficult choice.One side is etiquette and filial piety, and the other side is a feeling that I value very much.If both sides are destined to be unable to have both, how should he choose?

Just when Yi Lan was in a daze, the Empress Dowager spoke again: "The Ai family doesn't know why the emperor is so stubborn, and insists on refusing to get married. But no matter what, Pan Yun must have the continuation of the royal blood. The Ai family I would like to gamble my life for this. When will the emperor get married, and when will the Ai family have dinner. Otherwise, the Ai family will have no face to meet the ancestors. Doesn’t the emperor still have to go to the imperial study in the afternoon? The emperor should go first, Ai The family is going to rest."

Yi Lan stood there without moving, "Grandmother, don't force your minister. Let's eat something, don't you want to trap your minister in injustice and filial piety?"

"The emperor wrote in the document that announced to the world that Ai's family passed away due to illness. The emperor should go to the imperial study, and don't miss the important military affairs." temple.Then he ordered to the close maid: "Remove the lunch and help Ai's family to go in and rest."

Yilan was helpless, and it was inconvenient for him to disturb the empress dowager when she wanted to rest.After leaving the Shoukang Palace, there are still all kinds of feelings in my heart that cannot be expressed.Now that something like this happened, he didn't have the heart to go to the imperial study to approve the papers.He originally thought that at least Qixuan or Yijin would understand him in this matter.But they just said from the most rational point of view that the best choice is to get married. As for Mu Yan, they can make up for it in other ways.

The emperor's grandmother, the court ministers, everyone is forcing him.So what if he is an emperor and monarch?You must also abide by the cold rules of etiquette, and you must not be free.The higher the position, the harder it is for someone to understand.In fact, the emperor who bowed his head and kowtowed to everyone was the loneliest person in the world.

Fortunately, that person is still there, as clear as water, peaceful and clean, and it is because of his existence that he has the courage to fight against the outside world.

Yi Lan thought about it right now, and told the palace man who was carrying her shoulders: "I won't go to the Imperial Study Room anymore, go to the Lanling Hall."

Mu Yan was in the Lanling Hall, and when he heard the sound of "The Emperor is coming" from outside the hall, he immediately lost his hands and feet.Before she could think of a reason to evade, Yi Lan had already walked in.Mu Yan stood up abruptly, looking at him a little at a loss.

"Mu Yan, when did you start to separate from me?" Yi Lan's voice was a little hoarse, with undisguised exhaustion.

Mu Yan was a little dazed and didn't know how to answer, but was suddenly hugged tightly by Yi Lan.Fear and worry lingered in his heart like vines for a moment, he didn't know what Yilan had just experienced, he could only tremble: "Yilan? You, what's wrong with you...?"

Yi Lan shook her head and said slowly: "It's nothing. It's just that, remembering that you told me before, being able to stand with me has always been the thing you look forward to the most. I didn't tell you before—that is also what I look forward to the most. I tell you this to make you feel at ease, so you don’t have to hide from me like this. It’s also a plea to you, I hope that no matter how many gossips, don’t care what others have said to you, you...don’t compromise with them—I also Won't."

After hearing this, Mu Yan felt extremely sad.Yilan is the emperor, life and death are at stake, the country is in his hands, he is the king of the world, he shouldn't be so humble and condescending to beg others for something.Mu Yan's heart was sour, although he also wanted to tell him what was in his heart, and told him that he didn't want to leave.But he has already made that decision, so he is no longer qualified to say these things... There was no promise, and there was no pledge of eternal love, all Mu Yan heard was a trembling question from himself: "Are you...do you still want to approve the memorial? Don't think too much...if you have nothing to do, you...go back to the imperial study first."

As soon as he opened his mouth, he realized that he really couldn't say anything to comfort him.He no longer has that qualification.The only thing he wants to do is to let Yilan leave here as soon as possible.He really couldn't face Yi Lan like this - he was just afraid that if he was sad and selfish, he would be trapped in a situation where he would never recover.

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☆、34. Love Poison