MTL - The Fugitive White Moonlight of a Powerful Minister-Chapter 113 stand-in
Chapter 113 Just a stand-in
She doesn't have much time to act freely, no matter who is above, Wen Ning doesn't want to deal with it.
But that group of people blocked her way, as if she would not get along well if she didn't go with them, Wen Ning had to take a deep breath, suppress the impatience in her heart, and followed the ordinary-looking servant .
In the end, it was still in Sifeng Pavilion, and even the wing room was the same as last time.
Chu Heng was still courteous, he didn't put on the airs of a prince, but took each "cousin" one by one, pouring tea for her, and inviting her to sit down.
When the dishes came, they were all dishes that she stretched out two extra chopsticks that night.
Wen Ning couldn't help but look at Chu Heng more. He was only seventeen, but he was in a high position but was well-rounded. No wonder he was able to compete with King Rui who seemed to have more advantages in all aspects.
"Cousin sister-in-law, I just learned today that my cousin is busy with business in Hangzhou Mansion and hasn't returned yet, leaving you alone in the official post. I thought it would be boring to come to you alone, so I invited you here to have dinner together without authorization. You must forgive me." .”
Chu Heng's words were also gentle and polite, and he couldn't find any faults.
Of course Wen Ning knows that he is not as easy to get along with as he appears on the surface, and I am afraid that every sentence is targeted, trying to get something from her.
Although she is not so happy to see Pei You well, but now they are on the same boat, she can't give herself a cold shot.
"Your Highness misses Ah Ning so much, and Ah Ning is deeply moved." Wen Ning smiled appropriately, "It is not appropriate for female family members to ask more questions about court affairs, so when your husband went to Hangzhou Mansion, Ah Ning did not follow him. But seeing that he has not returned for a day, it is indeed in his heart." I'm a little worried, I don't know if His Highness knows if he has encountered any troubles?"
Chu Heng narrowed his phoenix eyes lightly when he heard the words, and said with a smile: "It's not a big deal, it's just that there are some disputes about the appointment of several officials, and my cousin can coordinate it."
"That's how it is." Wen Ning took a sip of tea, "Then I can rest assured."
Then start eating.
"The cousin said last time that she wanted to go to Jiangnan, where does she plan to go next?" Chu Heng asked very casually.
Pei You's itinerary?
Wen Ning put down her chopsticks and said softly: "My husband still has official duties, Ah Ning dare not be willful, I will follow wherever my husband goes. Occasionally, I can walk and stroll by myself like today when I have free time. Very satisfied."
After finishing speaking, he turned his back on the guest: "Is Your Highness planning to visit Jiangnan? I don't know which towns you want to go to next?"
Chu Heng also avoided answering: "It's hard to meet an old friend here. I planned to go with my cousin and sister-in-law, but I was afraid of causing inconvenience to you and my wife."
Of course it would be an inconvenience.
If you were another woman, maybe even if it was "inconvenient", she would pretend to say "how could it be", and the other party would just climb up the pole?
Wen Ning was not fooled, and raised the teacup: "Your Highness is so thoughtful, and made my husband and wife's world a reality. Ah Ning is very grateful, so I offer tea instead of wine, and present a toast to Your Highness."
A dark haze flashed across Chu Heng's smiling eyes.
Pei You is like an iron wall, no matter how he wins over, he remains calm and composed. He originally wanted to bend the road to save the country, but he didn't expect this good daughter raised by the minister of Honglu Temple to be as smart as a rabbit.
It's really the same nest with that Pei You snake mouse, a natural pair.
It's just a woman, he doesn't believe that her heart can be as firm as Pei You.
"Biao sister-in-law, this time my cousin came to Jiangnan because of the collapse of the school more than a month ago, has my cousin heard of it?" Chu Heng drank tea and asked seemingly unintentionally.
"Of course I've heard of it, but this is a court event, so Ah Ning won't discuss it with His Highness. Your Highness, today's West Lake vinegar fish tastes even more delicious than last time."
However, Chu Heng didn't seem to have heard Wen Ning's last words, and said to himself: "Cousin is the safest thing to do. The five schools in Jiangning Mansion were personally supervised and built. If the problem lies in the schools, I don't believe it. What does my cousin think? "
Wen Ning knew that he would not give up easily, so she smiled and said, "Naturally, Ah Ning also believes in her husband."
"A school collapsed in the past, and Wen's mansion was inexplicably slandered later, and my cousin's wine shop was smashed. How can my cousin criticize your father and brother in court?"
Come on, this is to sow discord.
Oh, it's not quite right to say "striving dissension". After all, Pei You and King Rui have never had any friendship, so why bother to divorce?
Chu Heng just wanted to beat her up, Pei You had already had a bad relationship with King Rui, and there were only two princes who still had a fight in this court. Since King Rui and Pei You are no longer dealing with each other, he is of course the best choice.
Sure enough, Chu Heng's next sentence was: "Cousin, my cousin and I have blood thicker than water, and we should have a deep relationship. However, he has been living outside these years, and he is indifferent by nature. I want to get closer to him, but I still can't find the right way." Cousin, my younger brother would like to ask you to be a bridge between the two of us. Cousin is very talented, and will be the backbone of my country in Dayin in the future. If you can get help from cousin, Heng will definitely repay you with the ring."
Chu Heng is only seventeen after all, his eyes are clear and shining, what he said is sincere and swears. In terms of his status, he can be regarded as condescending, bowing his eyebrows and bowing his waist.
Compared with King Rui, he seems to be a good candidate, but unfortunately...
She knew he was not.
In the 16th year of Jiahe, the epidemic ravaged Dayin, and Dayin was seriously injured;
In the seventeenth year of Jiahe, one north and one south, foreign races frequently invaded the border;
At the beginning of the 18th year of Jiahe, the empress passed away, and Emperor Jiahe suffered a severe blow and fell ill. The battle for the heir apparent between the two princes became fierce;
In November of the 18th year of Jiahe, Emperor Jiahe became seriously ill. He was dismissed for one month, but he insisted on refusing to select the East Palace from among the two princes;
In December of the 18th year of Jiahe, King Rui conspired against him, raised troops in Nanyang, and approached the imperial city. In the same month, the four princes colluded with foreign vassals and led Hu people south to break through the gate of the capital.
King Rui was named Chuxuan, styled Xuanyun, and the four princes were named Chuheng, styled Pingqing. Historians called this catastrophe of subjugation the Xuanping Rebellion.
After Chu Heng spoke generously, he raised the wine glass in his hand with burning eyes, only waiting for Wen Ning to raise his glass to touch.
Wen Ning chewed the dishes in her mouth carefully, and slowly picked up the teacup, just a few inches high, when she shook her hand, the teacup fell on the table, and the tea spilled all over the table.
She hastily got up and knelt to confess: "Your Highness, forgive Ah Ning for being rude. Ah Ning is a woman who can't be on the stage. I feel terrified about such important matters, and I can't even hold the teacup steadily."
Chu Heng also stood up, his eyes full of smiles were dimly darkened, and he stared at Wen Ning with unclear meaning.
After a while, the ink color was finally suppressed, and the expression on his face became more gentle, and he helped Wen Ning up himself: "Your cousin is so polite, I was the one who was abrupt, but I want to have such a good night with delicious food, but I want to share with my cousin." Said such unsightly things."
Wen Ning took advantage of the situation and stood up, and was supported by him to sit down again.
Sure enough, Chu Heng didn’t mention the incident just now, but started to talk about interesting things in Beijing, chatted for a while, and suddenly said: “I heard that my sister-in-law likes Zhufangge’s jewelry more?”
It seems that Chu Heng came to her not on a whim, but because he had been prepared.
Wen Ning replied calmly: "It's not like I like it very much, but there are only so many shops that women can visit. I went there once a few days ago."
Chu Heng's phoenix eyes slightly curved: "I would occasionally go to have a look, I remember that there is a butterfly hairpin in it, which is very unique, I think my cousin will also like it."
After finishing speaking, he clapped his hands three times.
Immediately, someone bent his waist and presented a tray covered with brocade.
Wen Ning was dealing with such a scene for the first time, and for a moment she had no idea what would be under the tray.
But he saw the man walk up to her, and pulled the bright yellow brocade cloth, inside neatly, there was a plate of golden butterfly hairpins.
Wen Ning tried her best to restrain herself so that she didn't let out a breath of cold air on the spot. This is... it doesn't make sense, is there a bribe?
Ten, twenty, thirty...
Roughly looking at it, there must be a hundred roots.
The abacus in Wen Ning's heart began to be uncontrollably pulled, a piece of three thousand taels, a hundred pieces...
Three...Three hundred thousand taels? !
Chu Heng's very friendly voice rang in his ears: "Oh, my brother is so reckless. With so many hairpins, how can my cousin carry them easily? And they are all the same style. I think my cousin will get tired of carrying them for two days."
His phoenix eyes curved, and there was a smile in his heart: "Then exchange them into bank notes and take them away for my cousin?"
Wen Ning blinked her almost dazzled eyes slowly.
Three hundred thousand taels...
Master Pei, this person's thighs seem to be much thicker than yours? ! -
"Madam only went to see Boss Qian today, and there was no other change."
In the Hangzhou mansion, the new magistrate had already allocated a room for Pei You. After dinner, Tu Bai continued his daily report as usual.
"Also tonight, His Highness went to find his wife." Tu Bai continued.
Even when he was away from home, Pei You had only a volume of books in his hand when he was free, and the red mole on his nose was still deserted under the candlelight. Hearing this, he raised his eyes and looked over, but said nothing.
Tu Bai bowed his head and said: "Young master, don't worry, Eleven has been following Madam to ensure Madam's safety."
Pei You's eyes fell back to the scroll, and he asked lightly, "How did she react?"
"There is no further news on the 11th, but..." Tu Bai rarely said a few words of flattery, "Madam is extremely intelligent, and she has a deep affection with the son, so it cannot be fooled by others with just a few words."
Pei You snorted softly.
Plunder deep affection? I'm afraid that now I'm regretting that I asked for too little money from him, and I'm thinking about how to get more money.
He has never seen an official lady who is more greedy than her.
"My lord, it's still early today, how about..." Tu Bai glanced at the sky outside, "Go back to the official post?"
In fact, he felt that he didn't need to stay in Hangzhou Mansion yesterday. Although the transfer of officials involved disputes between old and new factions, the new magistrate is his own, and they don't need much effort.
Pei You did not answer this question, but asked: "She went to Boss Qian today, and the matter is settled?"
"Probably not yet." Tu Bai hesitated for a moment, and said, "The other party seems to be... treating Madam as a liar..."
Pei You sneered, put down the scroll, and looked at Tu Bai: "Are you still saying that she is extremely intelligent?"
Tubai: "..."
"I'll go back after finishing the business in Hangzhou." Pei Youfu picked up the scroll again, and said calmly.
But... leave the wife alone in the official post?
Just pretending to be smart, Tu Bai had doubts in his heart, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions, he just said: "Then the Fourth Highness..."
Pei You raised her eyebrows: "Forgive her for not daring to make her own claims."
Wen Ning really didn't dare to make her own claims.
In the Sifeng Pavilion, the golden butterfly hairpins that were neatly arranged just now are lying scattered on the ground at this moment, and some of them have even broken their wings. It is obvious that when they were thrown to the ground just now, the force was not small.
"Your Highness, why bother with a little woman? It's just that she doesn't know what to do." Fan Liu bowed and poured a cup of tea for Chu Heng. Don't give her a look."
Chu Heng's young face was full of restless hostility, and his chest heaved a little, obviously he was very angry.
He thinks that he has never had the airs of a prince, and his temper is much better than that of many aristocratic children.
Surrounding the husband and wife these past few days, the cousin and sister-in-law did their best to please Pei You. He knew that he was a tough bone, and it was very difficult to chew on, but today, even a little Hong The daughter of Lu Siqing dares to disobey him!
The row of golden hairpins just now was in front of his eyes, and he clearly saw that she was very excited, three hundred thousand taels of silver, how many people have never seen it in a few lifetimes, she wants to do business at the risk of ruining her reputation, isn't she just loves silver?
But what did she say?
"Weak water is three thousand, just take a scoop to drink."
took a gold hairpin from it.
It would be fine if she accepted it, but she turned around and called Xiao Er, and used the golden hairpin to pay for the banquet tonight.
As soon as the people left, he lifted the row of golden hairpins.
None of the husband and wife took him seriously!
"His Royal Highness, those who achieve great things don't care about small things. When they look back later, these are small things now. We have been out for more than half a month this time, and it is time to return to Beijing." Fan Liu said respectfully beside him without haste.
Chu Heng is different from King Rui. His background was not good enough, and when he was young, there was a third prince above him, who didn't get much attention.
What is being able to bend and stretch, and what is what is called to suffer from hardships, he knows it all too well.
So when the people around him persuaded him, his anger had dissipated a lot, and he said a little unwillingly: "If you go back to Beijing this time, won't you gain nothing by mobilizing people to come to the south of the Yangtze River this time?"
Whatever you say about playing in Jiangnan is of course a cover.
He came for Pei You.
The original news was that Pei You would arrive by land within ten days. He took a group of people by land and wanted to arrive earlier.
Unexpectedly, after coming, he said that Pei You had changed to take the water route. This time, he walked slowly for more than half a month.
There are so many important tasks in Beijing, but he can only hold back and wait patiently in Qiantang.
Finally, people came, so we had a meal together on the first night, and we didn’t talk about anything. In the past two days, he went to look for him again, but he was always gone.
He then tried to use his new wife as a breakthrough.
"Of course not." Fan Liu and Fan Jiu were brought out by the same master, but he was much calmer in situations, and he spoke even softer, "In ancient times, Zhuge Kongming was invited by three visits to the thatched cottage. It can't be won over in three or two days, otherwise, how could the Second Highness be forced to tear himself apart with him?"
That's right, his superior second brother also received a lot of rejection from Pei You.
"Your Highness, although Prince Pei didn't look sideways this time, we made him see our sincerity." Fan Liu continued, "Now he looks aloof and lonely, but he is in court, How could it be possible to be Zhuo Qinglian and not a monster? Mr. Pei, maybe he is just waiting and watching."
Hearing what Fan Liu said, Chu Heng became more angry.
The surname is Chu in this world. In the end, he is either the King of Zhanrui or him. As far as his second brother is so virtuous, how can he be ashamed to ask for peace with him?
Pei Shizi, the Duke's Mansion, and the eldest princess can only stand on his side in the end.
Fan Liu said again: "And Your Highness, do you think... the appearance of Mrs. Shizi's clear soup and face is somewhat familiar?"
Chu Heng has completely calmed down: "Eunuch, what do you mean?"
Fan Liu lowered his voice even lower: "Your Highness, do you still remember the 'Xiaoya girl' that Prince Pei has been looking for?"
If you want to win over Prince Pei, of course you should pay attention to his every move. Pei You was never the only one looking for "Xiaoya", Chu Heng had already found someone to copy the portrait of the Duke's mansion when he was looking for someone, and searched secretly.
"The lady used to wear makeup, but she didn't notice it. But seeing her in plain men's clothing these past few days, I think... she looks a little bit like that woman."
"You mean... this Wen's Ah Ning is..."
"Your Highness is wrong. If the wife of this son is that Xiaoya girl, why would he marry her as a trifle with his heir? He can move out of his previous marriage contract with her. His Majesty values 'filial piety' the most, so I don't think he will stop him."
Emperor Jiahe really valued filial piety. In order to show respect for the late emperor, he changed the country name only ten years after ascending the throne, which is unprecedented.
"Then you mean..."
"Your Highness, is it because of the glory of that face that Mrs. Shizi is so favored?" Fan Liu raised his brows lightly, hiding the light in his eyes. I think it is because of the deep-rooted love for that woman. Let alone the capital, Dayin has almost searched all over, but he can't find anyone, presumably..."
Fan Liu shook his head, so many people have not been found, most of them are no longer in this world.
said again: "Then Wen's Ah Ning is probably a substitute for Prince Pei's affection!"
Chu Heng closed his eyes, thoughtfully touched his chin.
Of course he has seen the portrait, Fan Liuyi reminded, it really is...
Otherwise, why would Pei You let those aristocratic daughters not marry, and choose any means to marry a Wen's A Ning who didn't help him at all?
"Eunuch, what's the trick?" Chu Heng became gentle and amiable at this moment, with a pure and harmless appearance.
Fan Liu lowered his eyebrows and smiled slightly, of course he did.
It takes seven inches to beat a snake, and the gift must be delivered to the heart.
The stand-in is so favored, what if there is a real master?
(end of this chapter)