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The first emperor was a ruler of success, and now there is no war, so the country is peaceful and the people are safe.

At the beginning of Jiang Zhao's ascension to the throne, there were still some voices of dissatisfaction with the princess being the emperor in the court, and the left and right thought she was a woman.

But with Marshal Lu Cangyu as the backing, and without a prince, Jiang Zhao is indeed the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne among the former emperor's blood, so her throne is fairly secure.

Now that she has been on the throne for three years, she has gradually grown into a qualified emperor. Because of her hard work and love for the people, she has a good reputation among the people, and those voices of dissatisfaction have gradually disappeared.

Jiang Zhao is very used to being an emperor. In the past, the queen mother said that she was gentle by nature, but now she has a cold face.

In the Xuanzheng Hall, on the dragon chair, she sat upright, her face half hidden behind the crown, making it difficult to see her expression clearly.

"If you have nothing else to do with your family, let's retreat."

He didn't sleep well last night, Jiang Zhao was not in good spirits, and he didn't want to hear the ministers talk about trivial matters.

It is not every day that there are important political affairs that need to be dealt with. When Jiang Zhao is in a good mood, he doesn't mind listening to ministers saying that some parents have short stories, and when he is in a bad mood, he will announce his resignation.

As an emperor, this little willfulness is still acceptable, and the courtiers also acquiesced and got used to some of His Majesty's attitudes.

Jiang Zhao just wanted them to kneel down at this time, but Zhao Heng, the left minister, went out with his wat in his arms, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the old minister has something to discuss with His Majesty."

Zhao Heng is the father of Concubine Zhao in the palace. Concubine Zhao is the biological mother of the third prince. The third prince was killed by the second prince, and the second prince was killed by Lu Cangyu. This can be regarded as avenging the third prince.

After the Empress Dowager died, Concubine Zhao was in charge of the harem. For Lu Cangyu's sake, Concubine Zhao treated Jiang Zhao kindly.

And Zhao Xiang was also the assistant minister who was canonized by the late emperor before his grand visit. The late emperor asked Jiang Zhao to humbly subdue himself, respect the virtuous and corporal, Jiang Zhao obeyed his will, and always respected these old ministers.

"Master, please tell me." Jiang Zhaowen said in a warm voice.

Zhao Heng raised his head to look at her, and said slowly: "Your Majesty has already passed the age of Ji when he ascended the throne. The old minister once asked His Majesty to accept the harem and spread branches and leaves for the royal family. However, Your Majesty is benevolent and filial. The year limit is approaching, and His Majesty is almost 19 years old, I would like to ask Your Majesty again to choose the emperor's husband to serve the emperor, and to extend the heirs so that the world will be safe."

The left and right prime ministers have always been at odds, and they always have different opinions and check each other. However, they rarely agree on this matter. As soon as Zhao Heng's voice fell, Qin Duan, the right minister, also came out and said: "The minister seconded the proposal."

The two of them are the heads of civil servants, and they hold a great right to speak in the court. When the two of them expressed their views, other ministers bowed and said, "Your ministers will second you."

The Minister of Rites even said directly: "Your Majesty's selection of a husband is a very important matter, and you must make early preparations. I also ask Your Majesty to issue an order to allow the Ministry of Rites to organize and assist you in case of emergencies."

Jiang Zhao looked at the humerus ministers under the steps, pursed his lips and remained silent.

In fact, regarding the matter of getting married, Concubine Zhao had tested her intentions some time ago, and before she had time to think about it, Prime Minister Zhao actually moved the matter to the court, apparently to force her to agree.

Jiang Zhao had realized this since she took the position, but she didn't have anyone she liked, and she was busy with political affairs all day long, and she didn't have time to spend time with anyone, so it was inevitable that she would have some conflicts when she suddenly brought up this matter.

But she knew in her heart that these ministers had thousands of reasons for her to agree.

She lowered her eyes and said nothing, her face was hidden behind the crown, no one could see her expression.Zhao Heng took a step forward, bowed and saluted, and called out, "Your Majesty."

Jiang Zhao raised his eyes, but he didn't look at him, but at the person standing on the other side.

Lu Cangyu is not confused in his old age, because he practiced martial arts since childhood, he has always been in good health.

He looks somewhat similar to the Empress Dowager Lu, and he is not as big and thick as other generals. He is wearing a purple court uniform, holds a wat board in his arms, and wears an official hat. If you don't know his identity, just from his appearance, he looks more like a civil servants.

"What does uncle think?"

The emperor's questioning sound came from above. Uncle Guo, who seldom expresses his opinions in the court, but the most important status, finally raised his head and looked at his niece.

He used to be an uncle who loved his nephew, but since Jiang Zhao came to the throne, in order to protect the imperial power and the loyalty of the Lu family, he gradually alienated him. Will seek help from Lu Cangyu, and uncle will never let her down.

Sure enough, when most of the courtiers were asking for an agreement, Lu Cangyu still did not choose to stand in line, but instead said: "This is His Majesty's private matter, and I dare not ask about it."

Before Jiang Zhao could speak again, Zhao Heng said first: "Uncle Guo was joking, the family of heaven has no personal affairs, your Majesty's affairs are the affairs of your subordinates, it is the affairs of the people of the world, as your Majesty's uncle, Uncle Guo , you should be more concerned about His Majesty's life."

Lu Cangyu ignored his high-sounding words, looked at him coldly, and then at the other ministers, with a half-smile and said: "Your Majesty is the Great Monarch, above ten thousand people, can't you be the master of your own marriage?"

Zhao Heng said: "Your Majesty has long passed the age of marriage, but you just chose to accept the harem, and you have the world's best son and lord for your Majesty to choose from. You will certainly not wrong Your Majesty."

Lu Cangyu glanced at him, and said with a cold snort, "It seems that Zhao Xiang already has someone in mind."

"This……"

He bluntly said that Zhao Heng deliberately stuffed people next to His Majesty's pillow. If His Majesty thought too much, he would have thought that Prime Minister Zhao was going to meddle in the harem.Zhao Heng's face changed slightly, and he argued: "Whether there is a crown prince is related to Dameng Guozuo, and the old minister is also thinking about Dameng."

"The late emperor had six sons, and he established a crown prince early on. Does Prime Minister Zhao know what happened?"

"Marshal Lu be careful!"

Although he looks like a Confucian scholar, Lu Cangyu still has a lot of reckless habits, and Zhao Heng is so angry that his face turns red. Jiang Zhao is afraid that if they continue to quarrel, it will be difficult to end, so he slowly opens his mouth to reconcile.

"Zhao Xiang is the auxiliary minister handpicked by the late emperor, and Lu Shuai is the God of Dameng's commanding army, and also my own uncle.

Both of you are the backbone of the country, and they have devoted all their efforts to Dameng. I am deeply moved. If you want to make the two ministers turn against each other for my private affairs, it will be my fault.Now that the filial piety period has not yet passed, let's discuss this matter later, don't hurt the harmony. "

What the emperor said seemed to be a peacemaker, but anyone with a discerning eye would know her attitude as soon as they heard it.

Although Zhao Heng was reluctant, he was only a courtier after all. If the emperor insisted on going his own way, and Lu Cangyu cooperated with her, even if he relied on the old to sell the old, even if he brought out the late emperor, he would have nothing to do.

Jiang Zhao is not a tyrant, and even relatively speaking, he is a relatively gentle king.

But she is the emperor after all, her surname is Jiang, and with Lu Shuai as escort, no one can compete with her.

So Zhao Heng could only go downhill.

Anyway, it is impossible for the emperor not to get married all the time. If she wants to delay, let her delay for now.

After the court, Jiang Zhao drove back to Xihe Palace.Gao Sheng'an led a group of palace servants to wait for her to take off the thick and gorgeous dragon robe, and put on plain clothes embroidered with dark patterns. They also offered new tea and lit sandalwood to relieve her fatigue.

Seeing her gloomy expression, holding the tea but refusing to drink it, she lowered her head, not knowing what she was thinking.

Gao Sheng'an asked the palace servants to step back to give her space to think, while he was accompanying him without saying a word.

After a while, Jiang Zhao sighed slowly and took two sips of warm tea.

"Eunuch Gao."

"Your Majesty is here, what are your orders?"

Jiang Zhao hesitated to speak, and swallowed the question he wanted to ask, and then said, "How long have you been in the palace? And why did you enter the palace?"

Gao Sheng'an counted with his fingers, and said with a smile: "The slave's life is hard. When I was young, my family was poor, but I had three brothers and two sisters, and I never had enough to eat.

When the elder brother was about to get married, the family had no money to ask for a wife for him. At that time, the slave was not talkative and couldn't please his parents, so he was sold into the palace by them. "

When he talked about the past, he didn't mean to be sentimental, but he still smiled and said: "The slave just turned 12 years old at that time, and it has been exactly 36 years since now."

This time has spanned three generations of kings.

Jiang Zhao nodded, looking at him sympathetically.

Gao Sheng'an didn't feel embarrassed either, he had been in the palace for so long, and he had seen too much inconstancy in the world, the gazes of others could no longer cause him any discomfort.

What's more, he understands that His Majesty has no malicious intentions, but simply feels sorry for him.

Probably remembering something, Jiang Zhao asked again: "You have been in the palace for so long, have you ever been sincere with someone?"

Gao Sheng'an hesitated a little, but said truthfully: "The one who was sold into the palace together with the slave was a fellow from the same township, who was about the same age as the slave. When he first entered the palace, the slave and him were dependent on each other and hugged each other to keep warm."

"And then? Where is he on duty?"

"later……"

Gao Sheng'an showed an ugly smile, lowered his head so that His Majesty could not see him, and said with a choked voice: "There is no more. In the second year after we entered the palace, he was beaten to death with a stick because he accidentally bumped into a nobleman. "

Jiang Zhao was shocked, and after a long silence, he said in a low voice: "I mentioned your sadness."

"Your Majesty, don't mind." Gao Sheng said: "It has been more than 30 years, and the servant has long since put it down.

However, the slave was able to continue walking in the deep palace until today, all because of what he said to the slave before he died.He let the servant take his share and live a good life.

Now except for the slave, probably no one can remember him anymore, so the slave will never forget the short year of being together. "

"Depending on each other." Jiang Zhao whispered this word.

She suddenly thought of Xie Jin.

During the three years when her mother was thrown into the cold palace and she was rejected by her father, the 13-year-old little princess was unattended and oppressed. If she hadn't met Xie Jin, she might have Nor will it be today.

A bowl of hot rice in the deep winter and a woman with a gentle smile allowed her to survive in the cold deep palace.

She lost her mother's love and father's protection, but she got another kind of warmth.

However, after Jiang Zhao was able to send her out of the deep palace, he could obviously repay her kindness, but because of his own selfishness, he still trapped her inside the palace wall and became her dependent sisters.

She imprisoned Xie Jin herself.

His Majesty's expression suddenly became flustered. Gao Shengan didn't know what happened, but Jiang Zhao stretched out his hand and grabbed his sleeve, with stubbornness and seriousness in his eyes that he had never seen before, and ordered: "Eunuch Gao, Xi There is a maid named Azhao in the He palace, who has been transferred to serve since I ascended the throne three years ago."

Goldman Sachs is puzzled.

Jiang Zhao continued: "Azhao and Gong Zhengsi's Zuo Sizheng Xie Jin are as close as sisters."

Gao Sheng'an suddenly understood, nodded and said: "I understand. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will leave this matter to the servant. I will definitely arrange the identity of the court lady Ah Zhao properly, and Xie Sizheng will not find out."

Her identity has been concealed for six years, and she never thought that Xie Jin would find out, but now she feels panic for no reason.

Jiang Zhao couldn't imagine that if Xie Jin found out her identity, would he blame her for cheating, would he blame her for not helping her even though she knew she wanted to leave the palace, but continued to hide her, would he hate her? .

Jiang Zhao couldn't face it, and even wanted to escape.

How long can I hide it?Jiang Zhao didn't know.But at least for now, she still wants to be Ah Zhao who can cry in Xie Jin's arms, not an emperor who may be blamed or even hated by Xie Jin.