[Zhan Zhao] Counseling County Master Chasing Her Husband

At noon in July, the sun was just right, and the sun shone on Zhao Ning's body one by one through Qian's window screen.

Zhao Ning was wearing homely clothes at that time, bowing his head and drawing patterns in the room.

Her shallow outline was printed on the paper, and her expression was focused and serious.

However, being focused and serious does not mean that she has painted the patterns well.

In the past, she drew the patterns vividly, but today she frequently made mistakes.

Either I started to be in a daze after sketching for a while, or my little hand shook, ruining a good pattern.

Zhao Ning's heart can't calm down.

The reason is too simple, today is the day when Bao Zheng came to say goodbye.

Even though her father and queen mother had agreed to her marriage with Zhan Zhao, and the matter between her and Zhan Zhao would be settled when Bao Zheng came to propose marriage, Zhao Ning still couldn't help worrying.

I'm afraid that there will be more branches.

Once Bao Zheng got involved in the matter, she couldn't help thinking of the worst.

The sun is judged by the day, and the yin is broken by the night. It sounds majestic, but Zhao Ning couldn't help but feel chills behind him when he heard it.

The underworld is not a good omen, and it brings bad luck when you hear it.

Sure enough, people's worries are always good but not bad. Zhao Ning was drawing patterns with his head down, when a maid came running over panting outside the door.

Blessings come to the soul, and so do misfortunes. Zhao Ning shook his hand and broke another trick.

The corners of the little maid standing behind Zhao Ning twitched slightly, the pattern in the hands of the princess was painted in gold!

Zhao Ning looked at the maid who came in with tears in his eyes, and only prayed in his heart that there would be no more accidents. It was not easy for her and Zhan Zhao to walk this way!

Zhao Ning was thinking like this, and heard the maid say: "Princess! Something is wrong!"

"My lord and Bao Heizi quarreled in the flower hall!"

After finishing speaking, the maid lowered her head and lowered her eyebrows, waiting for Zhao Ning's instructions, but she couldn't help but raised her head before Zhao Ning could speak. The pen that was drawing the pattern was broken.

The maid gasped, and quickly ordered someone to bring hot water and apply medicine with a veil.

Zhao Ning's body is extremely delicate, and he doesn't know what his hand injury looks like.

The maid hurriedly comforted: "Princess, please don't be angry."

"You are the princess, you want to sit upright, you want to be beautiful, and you want to be a gentleman. How can you be as knowledgeable as Bao Heizi?"

However, as soon as the maid finished speaking, Zhao Ning stood up. The clothes she was wearing today were relatively simple, and the hem of her skirt was not as wide as in the past. Don't think about it, just by looking at it, she knew that it was very convenient to run.

The maid even had some doubts that Zhao Ning was wearing this dress on purpose today.

So the maid quickly hugged Zhao Ning's waist, pressed her on the chair, and said, "Master, you can't go to the flower hall today."

In this world, how can any woman personally interfere with her own marriage?

Since ancient times, it has been the order of the parents, and the words of the matchmaker are as honorable as the royal family. For this etiquette, it is necessary to pretend to be more or less.

After Zhao Ning was pressed down by the maid, his mood gradually calmed down.

She didn't want to go to the front hall, but she was so surprised after hearing what the maid said, she stood up immediately.

Zhao Ning straightened out her thoughts. According to the development of yesterday's events, her father had no reason to quarrel with Bao Zheng, so she asked the maid: "Do you know why the father quarreled with Master Bao?"

Her father has always recognized Bao Zheng's character, otherwise he wouldn't even have a good impression of Zhan Zhao.

What's more, today is her lifelong event, and her father has no reason to quarrel with Bao Zheng.

As soon as Zhao Ning's words were spoken, she thought of the reason again in the flash of calcium carbide.

Her father had a reason to quarrel with Bao Zheng.

What happened to Empress Dowager Li was enough for her father to throw Bao Zheng out of the palace.

Zhao Ning wants to cry but has no tears.

Bao Zheng, Bao Zheng, you have been upright and honest all your life, and you have discarded private interests because of public affairs. This is known to everyone in the world, but can you stop talking about official business when you are helping someone propose a marriage.

These are good things, Zhan Zhao's painstaking results yesterday were all in vain.

Zhao Ning felt that according to her father's temperament, she might call the guards to beat Bao Zheng out of the palace right now.

Zhao Ning sent wave after wave of maids to the front hall to inquire about the news. Thinking of Bao Zheng's behavior, Zhao Ning was so worried that he couldn't even drink tea——Bao Zheng couldn't finish talking about her marriage with Zhan Zhao. Let's talk about Queen Mother Li again!

Zhao Ning waited restlessly in the room, and the maids trotted all the way talking back and forth one after another.

When Bao Zheng quarreled with the Eight Wise Kings because of public affairs and selfishness, his mouth was dry and smoke came from his throat, so he bowed his head and drank a cup of tea.

The moment he lowered his head to drink tea, he caught a glimpse of Zhan Zhao sitting beside him from the corner of his eye.

Zhan Zhao was dressed in white brocade clothes, which made his brows look like ink paintings, and he was so free and easy, no matter how you looked at him, he was an extremely handsome man.

It's just that on that handsome face, somehow, the dark color of his face almost caught up with him.

It was only then that Bao Zheng belatedly remembered that he came to the palace today for another important matter, which was to help Zhan Zhao marry.

This matter is related to the happiness of Zhan Zhao's life, so he can't be sloppy at all, but because he got angry for a while, he quarreled with the Eight Wise Kings, so he left this matter behind.

After Bao Zheng drank his tea, he looked at Zhan Zhaoqiang's calm face. Bao Zheng, who had never been afraid of the sky and was worthy of the ground, felt a tinge of guilt in his heart.

Because of Empress Dowager Li's matter, Zhan Zhao was almost delayed.

Bao Zheng knew that arguing with the Baxian King about the Empress Dowager Li would not yield any results, so he thought about it, and it was more important to talk about Zhan Zhao's matter first.

Zhan Zhao's age is no longer young, and Bao Zheng couldn't bear to let him continue to be single anymore, so Bao Zheng stroked his beard and said to the eight sage kings: "My lord, Bao Zheng has something to do—"

Before Bao Zheng finished speaking, he was interrupted by the Eight Sage King angrily: "You don't need to say anything, you would never agree!"

Although the eight virtuous kings were a generation of refined and virtuous kings, if they lost their temper, it would be unbearable.

Bao Zheng: "..."

"My lord, just listen to Bao Zheng's words—"

"This king won't listen!"

The Eighth Wise King put the teacup heavily on the table, already planning to ask someone to see the guests off.

As for the matter between Zhao Ning and Zhan Zhao, he and Bao Zheng's endless arguments have long been disturbed and he can't remember it.

The Eight Wise Kings are annoyed when they see Bao Zheng now, the more they look at Bao Zheng, the more they don't like it, even Zhan Zhao is also annoyed.

Bao Zheng glanced at Zhan Zhao full of apology, twirled his beard, and said unrelentingly again: "My lord, Bao Zheng has a private matter to tell my lord."

This time the Baxian King finally didn't interrupt him again, Bao Zheng spoke faster, and said: "Zhan Zhao, the fourth-rank imperial guard with a knife, is now serving in the Kaifeng Mansion. Assist Bao Zheng in solving the case, so Bao Zheng loves him very much and treats him like a son."

The Eighth Sage King snorted.

If Bao Zheng had talked about Empress Dowager Li as soon as he entered the palace, he would have agreed to Zhan Zhao's and Zhao Ning's marriage.

But now, he had just quarreled with Bao Zheng because of the Empress Dowager Li's matter, and he was so angry that he had nowhere to cast his anger, so he wanted to make things difficult for Bao Zheng.

So that Bao Zheng can also experience the feeling of being embarrassed by others.

Therefore, the Baxian King suppressed his anger, and after hearing Bao Zheng's words, the Baxian King said: "Your Majesty once said that the princess's marriage should be decided by him, so you don't need to mention it in front of the king, just go Just ask His Majesty!"

"Success or failure, His Majesty should decide!"

After finishing speaking, the Eight Sage Kings left in a huff.

Because of Empress Dowager Li's affairs, even Zhan Zhao's marriage was ruined, Bao Zheng felt very sorry, and immediately said to Zhan Zhao: "Guard Zhan, you don't need to worry, I will go to the palace for a while, that's all." .”

Zhan Zhao's mood is quite complicated, obviously everything was agreed yesterday, but today the Eight Wise Kings deliberately made things difficult for other reasons, life is hard, but that's all.

Zhan Zhao nodded and said, "This subordinate will go with Mr. Bao."

If he didn't go with him, the ghost would know that when Bao Zheng met the emperor, Zhao Zhen was referring to the Empress Dowager Li, or his marriage to Zhao Ning.

Zhan Zhao followed Bao Zheng all the way to the palace.

Zhan Zhao suggested to Bao Zheng that he should first go to Chen Lin, Director Chen. Chen Lin is the eunuch serving Zhao Zhen, and has always been liked by Zhao Zhen. With Chen Lin's help, this matter would be easier.

Bao Zheng thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he first went to Chen Lin to talk about it.

When Chen Lin heard this, she laughed first, looked at Zhan Zhao, and said, "If our family remembers correctly, His Majesty thought about this when Zhan Huwei first performed in front of Yaowu Tower."

Zhan Zhao naturally knew what happened back then, Zhao Ning refused Zhao Zhen's offer of marriage with a cold face.

Chen Lin apologized: "The attitude of the princess is the attitude of our family."

Zhao Ning often played in the palace when he was a child, and he could be regarded as the person he grew up with. How could he help someone the princess didn't like to ask the princess to marry him?

Zhan Zhao shook the giant que, and his chest tightened. He couldn't tell Chen Lin that your princess was not happy at first, but now he is. If he did, he would be disregarding Zhao Ning's reputation.

Bao Zheng gave Zhan Zhao a look, signaling him not to worry, and said, "The manager will help first, Bao Zheng will not ask the manager for help for no reason."

Bao Zheng was afraid that Chen Lin would still refuse, so he smiled, and mentioned something to Chen Lin cryptically, saying: "If the manager is still worried, you can send someone to ask the princess's attitude."

"Oh?"

Everyone knows that Princess Shouning was ordered by the Empress Dowager to investigate the case with Bao Zheng for more than half a year, and too many things happened in this half year.

After thinking for a while, Chen Lin understood Bao Zheng's meaning. However, he wanted to be safe and did not dare to agree to Bao Zheng on the spot. He just smiled and said, "In this case, let us ask the princess what he means. If so Things can be done, our family will definitely defend Zhan's good words in front of His Majesty."

Hearing this, Zhan Zhao felt a little relaxed. Chen Lin's words meant that she would help him.

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly and thanked Chen Lin deeply. .

Zhan Zhao and Bao Zheng went to meet Emperor Zhao Zhen together.

After Zhan Zhao and Bao Zheng left, Chen Lin called a clever little eunuch, and said, "You send the thrush that our family has raised for many days to the Eighth Prince, and tell the prince a little bit about this matter." Let's see how the prince's attitude is. Then I will go to the princess and ask how the scriptures she promised to copy for the queen mother are doing. "

Chen Lin gave orders as she walked.

Regarding marriage matters, it is not good to ask Zhao Ningzhong whether he likes Zhan Zhao. What's more, Zhao Ning is extremely shy and shy, so he can only go round and round.

Chen Lin has been in the palace for many years, so she naturally understands this truth.

The little lady listened and nodded repeatedly. After listening, she couldn't help but wondered: "Boss, are you only asking about the scriptures?"

Chen Lin nodded the little eunuch's head, and said: "You are usually smart, but when things really happened, you became confused again!"

"Just go, Princess Shouning is smart!"

The little eunuch hurriedly responded.

At that time, Zhao Zhen was reviewing the papers under the guidance of Empress Dowager Liu, and when he heard Bao Zheng and Zhan Zhao came over, he said, "Xuan."

Empress Dowager Liu returned to behind the bead curtain.

As soon as Zhan Zhao followed Bao Zheng into the palace, he knelt quite simply, waiting for Bao Zheng to finish telling Zhao Zhen about his relationship with Zhao Ning. Zhao Zhen nodded, and he hurried to tidy up the house and make arrangements for the marriage.

He now lives in the backyard of Kaifeng Mansion, and it is quite convenient to live there on weekdays, whether it is for work or life, but if he marries Zhao Ning and lives there again, it will not be so good.

Firstly, Zhao Ning is also a princess of the royal family, and living with him in the mansion is really unattractive. Second, there are a group of elders living in the backyard of Kaifeng Mansion. She is a girl, so it is somewhat inconvenient.

Zhan Zhao thought about the money it would cost to buy a small courtyard in Tokyo City, calculated his property, and after a while, he felt that with his financial resources, it was more than enough to buy a small courtyard in Tokyo City.

It's just that it's better to buy one closer to Feng's mansion, so that when Zhao Ning is bored, it's more convenient to go to Kaifeng's mansion.

Just as Zhan Zhao was thinking this way, he heard the puzzled voice of Emperor Zhao Zhen: "Guardian Zhan and my imperial sister?"

Bao Zheng said calmly: "Exactly."

Zhao Zhen glanced back at Empress Dowager Liu behind the bead curtain, thought for a while, and said, "Let me think about this matter for two days before I give Ai Qing an answer."

When Zhan Zhaoyao was performing at the Martial Arts Building, he had the idea of ​​marrying Zhao Ning to Zhan Zhao, but Zhao Ning refused and pushed back the marriage.

Now that Bao Zheng mentions this matter again, Zhao Zhen is actually a little reluctant in his heart.

No matter how good Zhan Zhao is, but if his imperial sister doesn't like it, then being good will become good for nothing, and it's useless at all.

But Zhao Zhen rejected Bao Zheng immediately. After all, Bao Zheng was his minister, and in order to be a good benevolent king, he often helped him take the blame behind his back.

For example, he wanted to kill some dignitaries who did a lot of evil, but because of the affection of his ancestors, and because he wanted to be a wise king, he cherished his feathers too much. At this time, Bao Zheng was required to appear.

He didn't show affection at all, and just took the lead and settled the matter.

Afterwards, in order to appease the families of the dead dignitaries, Zhao Zhen would pretend to punish Bao Zheng.

Bao Zheng stuck his neck and said that the minister was not at fault, and Zhao Zhen made a gesture to resign his official position. After a few days, when he encountered a difficult case, he would reinstate Bao Zheng.

You have come and gone between monarchs and ministers for many years, Zhao Zhen is deeply moved, Bao Zheng, a minister, is really useful!

Over the years, Bao Zheng has always approached Zhao Zhen to report on official business. It wasn't the prince who forcibly robbed the daughters of the people, or the Hou Ye who committed a criminal crime. He rarely approached Zhao Zhen for private matters. It was the marriage of his imperial sister.

Thinking of the friendship between the monarch and his ministers for many years, Zhao Zhen couldn't easily refuse Bao Zheng, so he only said to think about it for two days.

After two days, he will reject Bao Zheng again, then Bao Zheng will save face, but marriage is a major event in life, his imperial sister doesn't like Zhan Zhao, he can't force his imperial sister to marry, can he?

Zhao Zhen thought so, and prepared to send Bao Zheng and Zhan Zhao away.

Unexpectedly, Bao Zheng said another thing, which immediately made Zhao Zhen interested.

Bao Zheng said, it will be the Ghost Festival in a few days, after offering sacrifices to the ancestors, would you be interested in making a private visit in disguise to inquire about the customs and customs of the people?

Of course, Bao Zheng's original words were not like this, but Zhao Zhen still keenly grasped his meaning from his words.

Zhao Zhen became energetic in an instant, but he didn't agree too quickly. If he agreed soon, Bao Zheng would feel that he was incompetent as an emperor, and he only wanted to have fun all day long.

So Zhao Zhen pretended to be deep, bowed his head and pondered for a moment, then said: "According to what Aiqing said, Aiqing will arrange this matter."

Ever since he was given to the late emperor as the prince by the Eight Sage Kings, he seldom left the palace, and spent all day in the palace. No matter how magnificent the palace is, after staying in it for 20 years, he would get tired of it. Therefore, Bao Zheng's proposal is very important. Poke Zhao Zhen's heart.

As soon as Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Empress Dowager Liu's voice sounded from the bead curtain: "The Ai family wants to go together, I wonder what Bao Qing wants?"

Empress Dowager Liu has always been extremely powerful, and she always said one thing about government affairs, but what she said today was quite interesting.

Bao Zheng lowered his head and thought for a while, could it be that the Empress Dowager Li has made her known?

If not, how could she speak to him in such a tone.

Empress Dowager Liu's usual way is, Aijia said, you do it, if you don't do it, that's fine, there are some remote border areas in the Song Dynasty, you can go there and be a small county magistrate for the rest of your life.

Bao Zheng originally disliked Empress Dowager Liu's way of governing, but no one could find anything wrong with Empress Dowager Liu's handling of political affairs. to the opportunity.

After so many years, the well water does not interfere with the river water, and the two get along harmoniously.

Bao Zheng's original plan was that the path of the Eight Sage Kings would not work, and he could only discuss with Zhao Zhen about the Empress Dowager Li's return to court.

But Zhao Zhen is always in the palace, surrounded by eyes and ears, I'm afraid that as soon as he mentions it here, Empress Dowager Liu will know about it, so I can only find a way to get Zhao Zhen out of the palace, so that Zhao Zhen can meet with Empress Dowager Li , this matter will be easy to handle.

The Hungry Ghost Festival on July [-]th is a good reason.

During the Zhongyuan Festival over the years, the emperors of the Song Dynasty would worship their ancestors and pray for blessings. Bao Zheng used this reason to get Zhao Zhen out of the palace, and no one else would notice anything.

Bao Zheng is also the prefect of Kaifeng. If Zhao Zhen leaves the palace, he must accompany him. It will not be difficult to find an opportunity for Empress Dowager Li to meet Zhao Zhen's mother and son.

Bao Zheng's original plan was good, but who knows, another Empress Dowager Liu appeared on the way.

Moreover, there was something in Empress Dowager Liu's words, which shocked Bao Zheng.

Bao Zheng was not sure whether Empress Dowager Liu knew about Empress Dowager Li, thought for a while, and said: "If the Empress Dowager goes to pray together, it will be a blessing to the people of my court."

Empress Dowager Liu said: "Since it is the blessing of the common people, then the Ai family must also go through this experience."

Bao Zheng bowed his head and said yes, and after a brief communication with the emperor and empress dowager about the trip, he and Zhan Zhao left the hall.

--------------

After Zhao Ning learned that the Baxian King deliberately made things difficult for Zhan Zhao, he was so angry that he couldn't even eat lunch.

Thinking about her father being really childish, the Empress Dowager Li's matter has nothing to do with Zhan Zhao, so it's worth making things difficult for Zhan Zhao?

The Eight Sage Kings didn't take it seriously, and said, "If you don't make it difficult for him, how would he know that this king's favorite is so easy to marry?"

Zhao Ning wanted to cry for the explanation given by the Eight Sage Kings. She knew exactly what kind of person Zhan Zhao was, so why didn't she treat her well just because it was easy to marry her?

After complaining about the Baxian King, Zhao Ning sent the guards to the palace to inquire about the news. The guards who inquired about the news had not returned yet, but the little eunuch sent by Chen Lin arrived first.

The little eunuch first found the Baxian King, and after the Baxian King blocked the left and right, the little eunuch first offered the thrush bird, and then kicked Zhan Zhao with him. After the Baxian King took the bird, he waved his hand, Said that the king doesn't care about it, just ask the princess.

The little eunuch went to find Zhao Ning again, and asked with a smile, "I wonder how the princess's scriptures are copied?"

After learning that the little eunuch was sent by Chen Lin, Zhao Ning replied with a smile, "I copied it a long time ago, and I just wait for the manager to send someone to pick it up."

The little maid serving Zhao Ning immediately came over with a book, and Zhao Ning said, "That's it."

It was already afternoon at this time, the scorching sun dissipated, the air turned cooler, and many trees were planted in Zhao Ning's yard, and a breeze blew in through the screen window from time to time.

The breeze gently blows open the scriptures, and it turns white, but there is not a single word.

Little eunuch: "..."

Zhao Ning took a sip of tea and said, "Is there any problem?"

The scriptures copied by Princess Shouning for the Empress Dowager did not contain a single word. As a eunuch in the palace, what can he say?

Of course I can't say a word.

The little eunuch bowed to receive the scriptures, without changing his face, he said: "The princess is bothering. The princess is weak, but he still remembers to copy the scriptures to the empress dowager. This kind of filial piety is really moving the slaves."

"kindness."

Zhao Ning humbly accepted the little eunuch's compliment, blushed slightly, and said, "Hurry up and send it to Mr. Chen."

The little eunuch returned to the palace anxiously with the scriptures without words in his hands, knelt down as soon as he entered Chen Lin's room, and said with tears streaming down his face, "Master, you must save your servants!"

Chen Lin frowned and helped him up, and said, "Speak up if you have something to say, why are you crying?"

The little eunuch presented the wordless scripture with both hands, saying: "The world can learn from it, this scripture was handed over to the servant by the princess."

"Slaves absolutely dare not lie, it's just..."

"Okay, we all know."

Chen Lin flipped through the pages and saw that the entire chapter was blank. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she said, "It's none of your business."

The fake scriptures are naturally married.

Chen Lin put the scriptures on the table casually, and said: "Perhaps the princess sent it by mistake, or in the evening or tomorrow, the princess will deliver it again. At that time, just pay attention."

After Chen Lin finished speaking, she flicked her clothes, flicked the floating dust, and left the room.

Since Princess Shouning is willing to marry Nan Xia Zhan Zhao, he naturally wants to help.

As an eunuch, Chen Lin has served Zhao Zhen for many years. He doesn't need to look forward and backward like Bao Zheng Zhanzhao, and he doesn't need to always pay attention to whether his words violate the etiquette.

He is a eunuch, not a courtier, he is the emperor's domestic slave, in a sense, his relationship with the emperor is closer.

Chen Lin smiled and told Zhao Zhen about Zhan Zhao and Zhao Ning.

"Is this true?"

Zhao Zhen had a smile on his face.

After Bao Zheng left, Empress Dowager Liu also mentioned Zhao Ning's matter to him, saying that after all, it was a major event in a lifetime, and it was better to ask Zhao Ning about this kind of matter, and don't reject Bao Zheng rashly.

Zhao Ning and Zhan Zhao have been traveling together for half a year, maybe the two have intentions in private, and Bao Zheng is not a person who likes to worry about other people's private life, if Zhao Ning hadn't nodded, I'm afraid he might not have entered the palace to ask for grace.

Zhao Zhen thought so, and was about to send someone to ask Zhao Ning's opinion, when Chen Lin came over to talk about it.

"How dare this old slave lie to His Majesty?"

Chen Lin smiled and told Bao Zheng and Zhan Zhao that they came to see him first before they came to the palace.

At that moment, Zhao Zhen no longer had any doubts, and after writing down the imperial decree for granting marriage, he asked Qin Tianjian to choose a good day for Zhao Ning.

His little imperial sister had suffered many disasters since she was a child, and now that she has finally grown up to be married, it is really not easy.

In the early morning of the next day, Zhao Zhen issued an imperial decree to marry the imperial cat Zhan Zhao and Shouning Princess Zhao Ning.

No, it's Princess Shouning.

This time, Zhao Zhen didn't listen to the advice of the censors, and made Zhao Ning a princess.

Thinking that his imperial sister is well-behaved, she doesn't take advantage of the power to bully others, and secondly, she doesn't harm the common people, why can't she be a princess!

After receiving the imperial decree of bestowing marriage, Zhao Ning was temporarily relieved.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Ning began to get busy.

Although the marriage was bestowed by the emperor, three matchmakers and six hires are also indispensable. If you are so busy, you can't take care of anything.

It wasn't until the night of July [-]th, when the moon was in the sky, that Zhao Ning remembered that tomorrow was the day she made an appointment with Zhan Zhao.

According to the originally agreed time, she could have gone to the temple fair with Zhan Zhao and looked at the lotus lanterns after offering sacrifices to her ancestors, but now that Zhao Zhen is going to Daxiangguo Temple to pray for blessings, she will go with her and go to the temple fair with Zhan Zhao It can only be done in vain.

Zhao Ning sighed, I'm afraid Zhan Zhao also felt the same depression at this time - this time Zhao Zhen's trip to Daxiangguo Temple was arranged by Kaifeng, so Zhan Zhao would not be free that day.

Not many people knew about Zhao Zhen going out of the palace to pray for blessings, and only Empress Dowager Liu and Concubine Pang accompanied him in the palace.

Pang Guifei acted coquettishly like Zhao Zhen, saying that she had never been out of the palace since she married Zhao Zhen, and wanted to take this opportunity to go home.

Looking at the appearance of his concubine Lihua with rain, Zhao Zhen naturally agreed. In addition, not many people knew about his going out of the palace to pray for blessings, so it was not a big deal to send a few people to escort Concubine Pang back to Pang's mansion.

In this way, only Zhao Zhen and Empress Dowager Liu really went to Daxiangguo Temple.

As for Zhao Ning, it was Zhao Zhen who said that he was going to get married soon. After getting married, he was afraid that he would no longer be able to play around like he did when he was a child, so he asked her to accompany him.

Zhao Ning had no choice but to agree, but fortunately Zhan Zhao would be among the entourage tomorrow, so she could still take a look at him from afar.

On July [-]th, Zhao Ning first followed Zhao Zhen to worship the ancestors. After the sacrifices to the ancestors, he changed into palace clothes, dressed up in disguise, and left the palace gate.

Before leaving, the Eighth Sage King took her and whispered some instructions, telling her to keep an eye on Bao Zheng and stay close to Zhao Zhen.

Even if the Eight Sage Kings didn't specifically remind her, she could still guess what Bao Zheng was thinking.

With such a great opportunity for Zhao Zhen to travel, if he is not invited to meet Queen Mother Li, will he have to wait until the Chinese New Year?

Zhao Ning cheered up and followed Zhao Zhen all the time. Her actions caused Empress Dowager Liu to take a deep look at her, and joked: "A-Ning is getting married, can't bear to part with my brother?"

Zhao Ning lowered his head and lowered his eyes, looking shy.

Empress Dowager Liu took Zhao Ning's hand and said, "Your elder brother has never been out of the house, so let him go wherever he wants to go."

Zhao Ning's heart tightened, what did Empress Dowager Liu say?

Didn't Empress Dowager Liu realize that something happened, so she followed her?

Why did Zhao Zhen let Zhao Zhen wander around when he arrived at Daxiangguo Temple?

Isn't she afraid that Zhao Zhen will meet Queen Mother Li?

Zhao Ning turned his mind a hundred times, finally nodded, and said, "Well, Ah Ning will follow you."

When Bao Zheng saw that Empress Dowager Liu blocked Zhao Ning from continuing to follow Zhao Zhen, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that Empress Dowager Liu had found out about Empress Dowager Li, but now it seems that it doesn't look like this.

So he bid farewell to Empress Dowager Liu, took Zhao Zhen, and led him to see Empress Dowager Li according to the original plan.

Empress Dowager Liu raised her eyebrows slightly, glanced at the back of Zhao Zhen's leaving, and looked away after a while.

Her eyes are deep and deep, no one can see her thoughts, let alone guess her thoughts.

In Daxiangguo Temple, Zhan Zhao and Si Tingzhu were dressed in plain clothes and followed Zhao Zhen and Empress Dowager Liu respectively.

The sun was setting to the west, the light gradually went down, the Daxiangguo Temple was lit up, and the lights were slowly going down, Zhao Wumian dressed in ordinary people's attire, mixed into the crowd.

In a Buddhist hall in Daxiangguo Temple, Empress Dowager Li burst into tears, talking with Zhao Zhen, who was brought over by Bao Zheng, about how the civet cat was exchanged for the prince.

Zhan Zhao guarded the door with his sword in his arms, his eyes were clear, looking at the Kongming Lantern slowly rising from the sky.

On the other side of Daxiangguo Temple, Zhao Wumian silently avoided the guards guarding Empress Dowager Liu, and touched Empress Dowager Liu.

At that time, Empress Dowager Liu led Zhao Ning to stand on the high platform, watching the lights of thousands of houses below the mountain, and seeing the Kongming lanterns slowly rising in the night sky.

When Empress Dowager Liu saw Zhao Wumian approaching, she showed no panic at all, she even comforted Zhao Ning, saying: "Ah Ning, don't be afraid."

Zhao Ning naturally remembered Zhao Wumian.

Zhao Wumian is Zhao Jue's capable general and also Zhao Jue's most loyal dog leg. At that time, he didn't guard Zhao Jue, what did he come to Tokyo City for?

Moreover, watching Zhao Wumian talking to Queen Mother Liu, the tone of the Queen Mother is quite familiar.

Zhao Ning frowned bit by bit.

Could it be that Zhao Wumian is a pawn placed by Empress Dowager Liu beside Zhao Jue?

This idea just popped up, but was quickly overthrown by Zhao Ning.

Zhao Wumian was raised in Zhao Jue's Mansion since childhood, no matter how long the Empress Dowager Liu's hand is, it is impossible to reach Zhao Jue's Mansion.

Zhao Wumian saw that Zhao Ning was beside Empress Dowager Liu, hesitated for a moment, and did not continue. Seeing this, Empress Dowager Liu said: "A-Ning is one of my own, but it's okay for you to say."

Empress Dowager Liu glanced at Zhao Ning and said, "Ah Ning, you have been a smart person since you were a child. After you hear what happened today, you will rot in your stomach."

Zhao Ning lowered his eyes and said: "The queen mother regards Aning as one of her own, so naturally Aning is the same."

Zhao Wumian glanced at Zhao Ning who lowered his head and eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has already met Concubine Li."

Zhao Ning's eyelashes trembled slightly, she guessed correctly, Bao Zheng's intention was to make Zhao Zhen and Empress Dowager Li recognize each other.

Bao Zheng is an upright person, only talking about right and wrong, not looking at pros and cons, otherwise there would be no Bao Qingtian in the world who is not afraid of power.

When the civet cat was exchanged for the prince, Queen Mother Li was the victim. This reason alone was enough for Bao Zheng to take responsibility for the case to the end.

Zhao Wumian continued: "Your Majesty is not His Majesty's biological mother. In a few days, the truth about the civet cat's replacement for the crown prince will be revealed. How will Your Majesty treat you, the regent queen mother who caused his biological mother to suffer for 20 years among the people?"

Zhao Ning looked at Zhao Wumian, it turned out that he was here to be a lobbyist, so don't think about what he said next, he knew it should be Zhao Jue's solicitation.

Sure enough, Zhao Wumian said: "Your Majesty is a smart person, you don't need me to remind you, you know how His Majesty will treat you."

"But if the empress joins forces with my prince, afterward my king ascends the throne as the emperor, I will still respect you as the empress dowager, manage the front court and the harem, and enjoy the prosperity and peace in this prosperous age."

"Your Majesty is not your son. Whether His Majesty is the emperor or my prince is the emperor, it doesn't matter to you."

Zhao Wumian's martial arts are top-notch, and his verbal skills are also good. Every word he said, he was bloody.

Zhao Zhen and Empress Dowager Liu are not related by blood, and Zhao Jue is also not related by blood to Empress Dowager Liu. It is not important to Empress Dowager Liu who they are emperors. The important thing is whether Empress Dowager Liu is a queen mother.

Zhao Ning looked at Empress Dowager Liu and took a tight breath.

What Zhao Wumian said was reasonable, and there was no way for anyone to refute it.

"There are relationships."

Empress Dowager Liu glanced at Zhao Wumian lightly, with a half-smile, "Your Majesty is the late Emperor's son, but Young Jue is not."

Empress Dowager Liu didn't mention Lord Xiang, nor Zhao Jue, but Xiao Jue, which proved that her relationship with Zhao Jue was extraordinary.

Zhao Ning instantly remembered that when the first emperor Zhao Huan had not ascended the throne, Emperor Taizong at that time did not like Empress Dowager Liu. The holy edict bestowed the death of Empress Dowager Liu.

Zhao Huan didn't dare to disobey his father's order, but he didn't want to let go of Empress Dowager Liu, so he secretly rescued Empress Dowager Liu from Emperor Taizong, and hid her in the house of the most trusted Zhao Jue.

Zhao Jue was still a child at that time, so naturally he didn't have to worry about avoiding suspicion. What's more, Xiangyang City is quite far from Tokyo City, so he didn't need to worry about the matter getting to Emperor Taizong's ears.

During the time when Empress Dowager Liu was in Xiangyang City, Zhao Huan would slip out of the palace from time to time and come all the way to meet her.

This situation remained until Emperor Taizong collapsed, and Zhao Huan took Empress Dowager Liu back to the palace.

The Baxian King had mentioned these matters to Zhao Ning, and at that time Zhao Ning even asked, didn't the late emperor trust his father the most?

The eight virtuous king stared wide-eyed, and said, can it be the same? My father's residence is in Tokyo City, and there is a little disturbance, and the whole world knows it.

Besides, if the father brings a woman into the door, with the temper of your mother and concubine, I'm afraid you will behead the father with your uncle's big knife first.

Empress Dowager Liu has stayed in Xiangyang City for decades, so she probably has some kind of friendship with Zhao Jue, otherwise, she would not be very familiar with Zhao Jue as a young prince.

"Go back and tell Xiao Jue that if he stops now, the Ai family can still save his life."

A Kongming lantern rose from under the stage, and the dim candlelight illuminated Empress Dowager Liu's well-maintained face. Empress Dowager Liu narrowed her eyes slightly and stretched out her hand to the Kongming lantern.

The Kongming lantern flew higher and higher, farther and farther away from her fingers, Empress Dowager Liu frowned slightly, and said: "If not, the Ai family can only collect his body."

Zhao Wumian's eyes dimmed, and he said, "Your Majesty, why bother?"

Empress Dowager Liu rolled up her sleeves and looked up at the Kongming Lantern, as if she was talking to herself, with a voice that did not belong to her age: "The first emperor treated Ai's family very well. Once he is gone, Ai's family will replace her." He kept this promise big family business."

Under the reflection of the candlelight, Empress Dowager Liu's sharp eyebrows and eyes were somewhat lonely, and she said: "Go back and tell Xiao Jue that this world is not so easy to sit in, if he really sits in this country, I'm afraid he will be disappointed. "

Zhao Wumian's eyes flashed, and said: "Since that's the case, then I want to ask the empress."

Zhao Wumian looked up at Empress Dowager Liu's back, and said slowly, "What do you think, Empress Wu is coming to court?"

The night was slightly cool, and Zhao Ning's heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

Empress Wu is coming to court, is Zhao Jue going to respect Empress Dowager Liu as emperor?

The fingers in Zhao Ning's sleeves trembled slightly. For those at the top of power, proclaiming emperor was their ultimate goal. Did the Empress Dowager Liu, who was at the top of the Song Dynasty at that time, also have such a goal?

Zhao Ning's eyes moved slowly, she looked at Empress Dowager Liu, not daring to miss a trace of her expression.

Empress Dowager Liu was probably tired of looking at the sky lanterns, so she closed her eyes.

Those sharp eyebrows, once closed, added a bit of softness to her beautiful face. It is not difficult to imagine how stunning she was when she was young.

From the humblest singing girl to the peak of power step by step, her appearance, her ability, and her heart are all unique.

Empress Dowager Liu opened her eyes again, with tens of thousands of Kongming lanterns in the night sky imprinted in her eyes, she said in a calm voice, "It's not rare to be sad."

The author has something to say: Empress Dowager Liu: The Ai family wants to become emperor