Xie Xiang

It was August, and the summer heat was still there. The summer heat seemed to be resident in the world, and it was impossible to pass.

Liu Zao was worried that in the long run, there would be a drought, so he wanted to prepare for disaster relief, just in case.This matter had to be discussed with the Prime Minister, so she summoned Xie Yi to discuss it.

Xie Yi has more knowledge and experience than her, if she can think of it, Xie Yi has also thought of it.

"I have sent special personnel to check the places, but there are reports that there are no disasters in the counties and countries recently, so it can be seen that the heat is only in the Chang'an area." Xie Yi said.

When Liu Zao heard the words, he let go of most of his heart: "It's not enough to have a severe drought in many places. I heard that the Wei River will fall and the riverbed will be seen. This drought may not be avoided."

Xie Yi also thought the same way: "This autumn's harvest will definitely be affected, and the people may not be able to sustain themselves. After the drought, there will be locust plagues, so we have to be prepared."

It was the first time Liu Zao knew about the locust plague after the drought, and she remembered it in her heart.

There was a burst of cicadas singing outside the hall, making people restless and depressed.Liu Zao's mind was calm, but he didn't notice it, he only glanced at the palace servants in front of the palace, they were respectful, but they were a little restless.

"It's hot, and I still feel bored in Qingliang Palace, let alone the common people." Liu Zao sighed.

Seeing what she was looking at, Xie Yi also thought of it, and he didn't want His Majesty to worry about it too much, so he said: "The minister has written three assistants and six counties, ordering them to settle down, not to make the people trapped in the scorching heat, causing illness or death, and special inspections , so as not to conceal the disaster. Your Majesty is at ease."

She thought of everything and made arrangements.Liu Zao was grateful, and said: "Mr. Xie also needs to rest more. You can't do everything yourself, but if you need something, you can talk to me, or you can send me to my subordinates."

If someone else said this, maybe they were mocking her for being expert, but His Majesty said that he was really just afraid that she would be tired out because she cared about everything.Xie Yi smiled and said, "I've made a note, thank you Your Majesty for your concern."

Liu Zao also smiled with her.It just so happened that the palace servants brought sour plum soup, which was chilled in the ice cup, it was cool and delicious, very refreshing, Liu Zao took it, first offered it to Xie Yi, then took his own cup, and said to the palace: "Today We all went to rest earlier, leaving only two or three people to follow orders. It's hot, and this month's palace will give you an extra month's salary."

The palace people were overjoyed and knelt down to express their thanks.Liu Zao saw that others were happy, and she was also happy when she saw it. She waved her hand to make them retreat. She took a sip of the soup, and the sour plum soup entered her stomach, and she immediately felt refreshed.

She was about to say something to Xie Yi.Hu Ao came inside and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Changping is asking to see you."

Marquis of Changping?Liu Zao and Xie Yi looked at each other, put down the earcups in their hands, and said, "Please come in."

This Marquis of Changping was newly conferred by Liu Zao.Last year when Liehou returned to his family, Mrs. Wei received a great gift. Liu Zao bestowed ten thousand gold on Mrs. Wei, and restored her title of no doubt.When Wei Buyi was young, he was granted the title of Marquis of Yin'an, but he was later resigned as Marquis of Yin'an. What Xie Yi meant was to restore him as Marquis of Yin'an, that would be Long En.Liu Zaoyuan also made this plan, after thinking about it, Wei Buyi and Wei Dengxu have gone through ups and downs, they are both very honest, such a person, Duo En met some, it's okay, they will never develop arrogance.So he awarded the title of Marquis of Changping.

Marquis of Changping was conferred by Wei Qing, and it was a symbol of the Wei family's heyday. The significance of it was well known throughout the court, and the Wei family became very popular all of a sudden.

In the winter, Wei Buyi died of illness, and the position of Marquis of Changping was taken by his eldest son.

The Marquis of Changping who came today is the son of Wei Buyi.

He was of the same generation as Liu Zao, but he was much older. He stood up in the past, and his temperament was very soft.

Liu Zao ordered him to get up, Chang Ping Hou got up, but he didn't dare to look at the emperor directly, turned around and bowed to Xie Yi, and said: "Aunt."

Xie Yi nodded with him.

Liu Zao ordered him to sit down, and Fang Wensheng asked, "Brother, what's the matter here?"

Marquis Chang Ping was terrified when he heard the voice of brother, he almost stood up again and said no, he finally held back, looked at the prime minister, then at the emperor, and said truthfully: "There is indeed something, Request Your Majesty."

Wei's family is honest, and it's rare for him to ask for something. Liu Zao said very gently: "What does the family say or not? My brother said that, if I can help, I will do my best."

Marquis Changping was overwhelmed, and Ai Ai said Qiqi: "It's His Majesty's marriage."

Hu Ao was taken aback. Marquis Changping proposed marriage to His Majesty in front of Prime Minister Xie. His Majesty might be angry.However, Liu Zao did not show any anger, and said with a smile, "Oh... marriage?"

Marquis Changping was very nervous. Last year, Tingwei asked His Majesty to marry him on behalf of his nephew. A small county lieutenant in a remote place, and all the ministers in the court are sophisticated in plotting, seeing this, how can they still not know His Majesty's attitude?Even Ting Wei didn't dare to go forward and ask His Majesty how he was thinking.

The matter ended hastily, and the ministers no longer dared to use the word "husband" with His Majesty.

It's just that His Majesty's age has reached, and he can't wait to leave the central palace empty. There are always some bold people who want to seek this glory, and Ninglinghou is one of them. He is smarter and entrusted to Changpinghou.

"It's the Marquis of Ningling, who wants to be married to Emperor Zong," Changping Marquis said.

Liu Zao didn't change her smile, but what she said made Chang Ping Hou terrified, she said kindly: "Ning Ling Hou was able to persuade brother to be a lobbyist, but what reward did you promise?"

Even though Changping Houdang couldn't sit still, he stood up, knelt down on the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "That's absolutely not the case. When I was a minister, I received favors from his family, so I don't want to say goodbye. If I offend Your Majesty, I'm sorry. Your Majesty, please condemn me."

Liu Zao opened his eyebrows slightly, leaned over to help him up, seemed to reproach him, but said kindly: "I'm just asking, brother, why are you so frightened?"

Marquis Chang Ping stood up with her support, his face still pale, his head lowered, not daring to speak.

Liu Zao said: "The kindness must be repaid, otherwise how can we gain a foothold? It's just that the Wei family has not long been rehabilitated, what foundation can we have? It is also reluctant to repay. How about this, this old kindness, I will repay it. In the future, brother, don't agree to this. It's time to wait. If it's done, they may not be very grateful; if it's not done, they might complain about it behind their backs, it's not worth it."

Marquis Changping came reluctantly, but he couldn't agree more when he heard the words.

Liu Zao ordered him to sit down, and said to him: "The Wei family wants to revive the family reputation. It can't be accomplished by rewarding a title and giving some treasures. It needs to be upheld by the younger generation. Brother is the head of the family, so he has to take responsibility. , to urge the younger generation to make progress, if there is a good man in the clan, and I and Xie are there, they will not be buried."

She spoke earnestly and earnestly, Chang Ping Hou was taught, and kept making promises, but also felt really sorry for His Majesty, knowing that His Majesty had other concerns about the emperor's husband, so she didn't want to mention it for the time being, but she accepted Ning Linghou's request to embarrass His Majesty .

He was so ashamed that he hid his face with his sleeve and said: "I am ashamed to mention marriage to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Liu Zao's fingertips trembled, maintaining a peaceful expression, and said: "Small matter, how can we talk about punishment?" After a pause, he said: "If there is nothing wrong, my brother will go home for now."

Hearing this, Marquis Changping withdrew.

As soon as he left, the hall fell silent, and the air seemed to freeze suddenly.

Liu Zao sat down again, her eyebrows frowned slightly, as if she was very tired, but this expression was only for a short moment, and in a short while, she cheered up and made a smile, took a sip of the sour plum soup, tasted it, and said: "Put it on." It's been a long time, and the cold air has dissipated, so take it down and put it back on."

Hu Ao was clever, and immediately came forward, took down all the ear cups, and took out two new cups from the ice cup.

Liu Zao put it in his hands, seemed to like it very much, and started talking about summer drinks with Xie Yi.

Xie Yi hadn't spoken since just now, and now she was listening to His Majesty's eloquence, she turned her head to look at her, listened carefully, and occasionally echoed.But her eyes seemed to be absent-minded, as if she had other things on her mind.

Liu Zao said a few words, but felt that the corners of her lips were a little sour, and her smile seemed to be about to collapse. She lowered her head slightly, and took a deep breath, so as to get back to the state before Changping Hou came. Looking up, he happened to meet the concern and distress in Xie Xiang's eyes, which had not yet been put away in the future, as if he had seen through everything.

At that moment, Liu Zao suddenly felt that he was being laughed at like an actor, but he still didn't know it.She tried her best to raise the corner of her mouth, but she couldn't hold back a smile.She panicked in her heart, panicked and felt sad, turned her head to look at the hourglass, pretended to be busy, and said to Xie Yi: "I will call people to discuss matters later, if Xiang Xie is fine, I will leave now."

Xie Yi wanted to say something, she wanted to raise her hand, caress His Majesty's face, and tell her, I understand.But the hand weighed more than a thousand junctures and couldn't lift it up.As soon as the words came to his lips, he also became a minister to resign.

She knew that His Majesty was not afraid of the ministers forcing him to choose the emperor's husband, she just didn't want to mention it in front of her.She and Chang Ping Hou spoke calmly in order to change the topic.But he didn't expect that Chang Pinghou, who had always been weak and evasive, had the guts to plead guilty, and changed the topic back.His Majesty looked calm at that time, but his heart must have been flustered.

When she walked out of the palace gate, Liu Zao sent her outside the palace as usual.

Xie Yi saluted and walked away. She could feel a gaze fixed on her, watching her go.She kept her figure steady and took gentle steps, but she couldn't help but wonder in her heart what kind of expression His Majesty used to face her back.She couldn't help but stop and looked back.

But he saw His Majesty standing outside the palace gate, his figure was thin and thin, and there was an attachment in his eyes that he could not hide in the future.Seeing her turn her head, she hid the nostalgia in her eyes, waved her hand, and signaled her to go back quickly.

It was almost the same as the time she came back from Penglai Island a year ago, the difference was that His Majesty smiled at her that day, but now, she has no smile, and her eyes are more desolate and restrained.

Xie Yi was startled that in the past year, His Majesty's sincere smiles have become less and less.