cabinet first lady

Chapter 54 The Counselor Behind the Queen

Ruan Muyang has been thinking about Zhang Anyi's private contact with Xie Zhao.She suddenly realized again that she didn't know Zhang Anyi at all, couldn't see through it or figure it out, and didn't understand why he was with someone like Xie Zhao.

Not long after, there were footsteps outside the house.

Zhang Anyi is back.

"Have you heard that Madam is not feeling well?"

Ruan Muyang wanted to ask, but he opened his mouth but still didn't ask.She didn't know how to explain the fact that she recognized Xie Zhao's confidant.

She had too many secrets that she couldn't be honest with, because she kept too many secrets, so she didn't have the confidence to ask him about the things he kept from herself.

"It's nothing." She forced a smile and said, "It's getting late, go to bed early."

Zhang Anyi held Ruan Muyang who was about to walk to the bed, and looked at her carefully.

Although there is lingering warmth in his eyes, under the warmth is a darkness that cannot be seen to the end. Ruan Muyang only feels that all his emotions can't be hidden under his gaze. This feeling is very bad and makes her feel very uneasy .

Feeling like he saw something, her heartbeat slowly accelerated: "What's wrong?"

Even though the defense in her eyes was just a flash, and she didn't even notice it, it didn't escape Zhang Anyi's eyes.His eyes seemed to take everything in, and finally turned into an upward curve on his lips. He stretched out his hand to caress her face, and said softly: "Your face is so pale, and you still say it's okay? Do you want someone to go now?" Doctor?"

Ruan Muyang touched his face and said, "Maybe I caught a cold two days ago. It's getting late now, so I'd better call the doctor tomorrow during the day."

"it is good."

Because Ruan Muyang was preoccupied, he had nothing to say all night.

Soon, Ruan Muyang knew why Zhang Anyi had private contact with Xie Zhao.

Yong'an Wang Xie Zhao finally returned to Xizhou after leaving Beijing for more than a month, and then began to patrol the borders of Xizhou. He caught several border generals and civil officials who had neglected their duties and lied about their military and political achievements, and reported them to Ling emperor.

After Lingdi commended Xie Zhao, he decreed that all those officials should be escorted back to Beijing for trial.

At this time, Liu Zhidong, the censor of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, reported that one of them had been in contact with Luo Jie's second son-in-law, the Minister of the Ministry of War, and had bribed him many times.

Emperor Ling was furious when he heard this, and handed over the matter to Zhang Anyi for a thorough investigation.

This matter is not as simple as it seems.The eldest daughter of Liu Zhidong, the censor of Youdu, married Ruan Minghua, the eldest son of Ruan Zhongling, Minister of Industry, and Liu Zhidong was undoubtedly from Zhang Anyi's side.This incident is not just about prosecuting and bribery, but for Luo Jie.

In the eyes of others, it was just that Zhang Anyi just fell into trouble, and Xie Zhao made a wedding dress for him.

But Ruan Muyang, who knew that Zhang Anyi had a private relationship with Xie Zhao, immediately knew that things were not that simple.She got a surprising thing from it, and it made sense after careful consideration - Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao are teaming up to bring down Luo Jie.

For some reason, Ruan Muyang had an intuition that it must be Zhang Anyi who suggested this matter first.

Because of her, and Zhang Anyi's change of the will made Xie Zhao, who was supposed to inherit the throne, miss the throne, the enmity between the two of them can be said to be very deep.According to Ruan Muyang's understanding, Xie Zhao is extremely conceited, and it is definitely impossible to throw an olive branch to Zhang Anyi.In order to fight against Luo Jie, the only person who can think of joining forces with the enemy must be someone as sophisticated as Zhang Anyi, who is extremely deep in the city, and plans every step of the way.

Because he teamed up with Xie Zhao, he turned the world around and almost brought the situation that had a very small chance of winning to a balanced state.

This move was beyond everyone's expectations, and Ruan Muyang was amazed and helpless in addition to being shocked.What she admired was Zhang Anyi's intelligence and boldness. Xie Zhao was definitely not someone who would let others take advantage of him. He was trying to win in danger. What was helpless was that things exceeded her expectations. She wanted to make Xie Zhao Die is more difficult.Xie Zhao's strength grew again. After Luo Jie fell, he fought with Zhang Anyi, and it was not certain who would win.What if Emperor Ling dies, the crown prince is still young, and the throne falls into the hands of Xie Zhao?
Ruan Muyang's heart was in turmoil.

What made her even more unexpected was that besides her, someone else really guessed the relationship between Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao based on this incident.

The case of Luo Jie's second son-in-law accepting bribes was investigated by Zhang Anyi, so the evidence is conclusive.Emperor Ling was furious, not only dismissed him, but also scolded Luo Jie.This incident finally made him jealous of Luo Jie.

On the third day after Luo Jie's second son-in-law was dismissed, the queen summoned Ruan Muyang into the palace.

Last year, Concubine Luo gave birth to a dragon son for Emperor Ling.This is a great threat to Queen Qiu and Prince Xie Shen.

Behind Concubine Luo is the mighty Luojie. The crown prince is fledgling now, and without Luojie's backing, if one day Lingdi dies suddenly, the situation of Empress Qiu and the prince and mother will be in danger.Therefore, Empress Qiu has been wooing Zhang Anyi, and has often summoned Ruan Muyang into the palace for the past two years to enhance their relationship.

This time, Ruan Muyang only thought that he went to the palace to talk with Queen Qiu as usual.

It's just that since she entered the Oasis Palace and noticed Queen Qiu's eyes, she felt that this time it might not be just a simple talk.

"Madam Zhang doesn't need to be polite to me. The imperial dining room has made some new cakes today. I invite Madam Zhang to come over and have a taste."

Ruan Muyang said respectfully: "Thank you, Ma'am."

She tasted it, and it was indeed something she had never tasted before. It had a creamy texture and a milky aroma.

After chatting for a few words, Empress Qiu suddenly brought up Xie Zhao's order to inspect the border, and Luo Jie's second son-in-law, and then looked at Ruan Muyang, examining her expression with a pair of autumn-like eyes and asked: "Zhang Madam, do you find it strange that these two incidents happened one after another?"

Ruan Muyang's heart tightened, he didn't know if Empress Qiu was suspicious or knew something, she didn't dare to reveal more and just asked: "I don't know what the empress is talking about?"

Empress Qiu's soft eyes suddenly turned cold: "I suspect that Mr. Zhang is secretly colluding with King Yong'an. It is a death penalty for a close minister to collude with the vassal king!"

Unexpectedly, Empress Qiu found out, Ruan Muyang was startled, immediately knelt down, and said: "Your Majesty, calm down, my wife's husband is loyal to the Holy Majesty and the Crown Prince, and he has no two intentions!"

"Oh? Then tell me, why did Master Zhang secretly collude with King Yong'an?" Emperor Ling thought that Xie Zhao was completely relieved because of the rescue, but Empress Qiu couldn't.She still remembers the last few years of the late emperor's life, what kind of fearful life he lived in the East Palace.Xie Zhao, the king of Yongan who was reused again, can be said to be another serious confidant between her and the prince besides Luo Jie and Luo Concubine.

Ruan Muyang knew that the combination of Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao must have annoyed the queen, making the queen mistakenly think that Zhang Anyi wanted to help Luo Jie ascend to the throne.

Queen Qiu is not as gentle and harmless as she appears on the surface, from her attitude towards the prince, it can be seen that she is a woman of some city, surpassing Emperor Ling.

But how did she see the relationship between Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao?Ruan Muyang had to admit that if Xie Zhao's confidant hadn't been recognized in Chuanyun Yard now, he would definitely not have discovered that Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao joined forces.

Even Luo Jie hasn't found out until now, how did Queen Qiu find out?

Based on Ruan Muyang's understanding of Empress Qiu, although she is not an ordinary woman, she has not surpassed many ministers in the court. Otherwise, when Emperor Wudi was alive, she would have planned the East Palace and would not have fallen into such a state, almost missing the throne.

Unless she has a counselor behind her.

What kind of expert is able to see everything in his eyes and see through everything quietly?
Who is Bu Lun? Ruan Muyang realized one thing. He had underestimated the strength of Empress Qiu in the deep palace.

She suddenly had a plan.

Empress Qiu did not let go of the slight emotional change on Ruan Muyang's face, but found that she was always dignified and quiet.

Forget it, she's just a housewife, I'm afraid she doesn't know anything.

This time, she just wanted to warn Zhang Anyi through Ruan Muyang.

But at this moment, Ruan Muyang suddenly spoke.

"What the minister's wife said next may be a bit outrageous, please forgive the empress."

Queen Qiu was a little surprised.Instinctively, what Ruan Muyang was going to say next was what she wanted to hear, so she asked all the palace staff to retreat, and said, "Speak, I forgive you for your innocence."

After all the palace people retreated, Ruan Muyang said: "Go back to your mother, my wife's husband does have a private connection with King Yong'an, and they cooperated with each other in this matter."

really.Empress Qiu's eyes flashed coldness again.

Ruan Muyang took a deep breath and looked directly into Empress Qiu's eyes, and said: "My wife said something outrageous, now Lord Luo is covering the sky with only one hand in the court, and Luo Concubine gave birth to a dragon son last year, I'm afraid it has already threatened the empress. And the status of the prince."

The worry in her heart was seen through and spoken out, and a murderous intent flashed in Queen Qiu's eyes.

"A few months ago, the minister's wife's husband was assassinated. Although it was an unresolved case, everyone knew that it was Luo Jie. They were already incompatible. The minister's wife's husband was the second assistant of the cabinet. Other than the Luo rank, the most powerful one has to admit that there is still a big gap with the Luo rank. Wanting to overthrow the Luo rank is like a mayfly shaking a big tree. Although King Yong'an entered the capital this time, he seemed very submissive on the surface, but His wolfish ambition will not change. The biggest enemy of King Yong'an is also Luo Jie. Therefore, the husband of the minister's wife pretends to join forces with King Yong'an, and with the combined strength of the two, he may be able to fight Luo Jie."

Empress Qiu smiled: "So Master Zhang and King Yong'an joined forces just to bring down Luo Jie?"

Ruan Muyang nodded: "To tell you the truth, the deep enmity between our husband and wife and King Yong'an cannot be explained clearly in a few words. Please believe me, we don't want to see King Yong'an get up again. So we joined hands to bring down King Yongan. After the Luo stage, the husband of the minister's wife will definitely point the finger at King Yong'an."

Speaking of this, she paused, and said sincerely: "At that time, I will still need your help."

Empress Qiu chewed her words carefully in her heart, and asked suspiciously: "Why should I trust you?"

"In the future, the courtiers will tell the empress all the news, so that the empress will always be in control of the overall situation behind the scenes. When Luo Jie falls, it must be the time when King Yong'an falls."

When Luo Jie fell, it was when Xie Zhao fell.

That's right, after much deliberation, Ruan Muyang decided to rely on the Queen's power to deal with Xie Zhao.

She believed that Zhang Anyi would break with Xie Zhao, but she was afraid of such an eventuality.If there is such an event, then she will lose in this life, so she has to make her own plans.Queen Qiu's strength is stronger than she imagined. This will not only dispel Queen Qiu's doubts about Zhang Anyi, but maybe use her hand to get rid of Xie Zhao directly in the end.

Although Empress Qiu still had some precautions and doubts, she was already more than half moved by Ruan Muyang's persuasion.She was not confused by the happy ending Ruan Muyang conceived, and kept calm all the time. "I didn't expect Mrs. Zhang to be so clear about the situation in North Korea and China."

Sensing Queen Qiu's exploration and scrutiny, Ruan Muyang felt nervous, and explained: "To tell you the truth, the husband of the minister's wife does not shy away from the minister's wife when he talks about the affairs of the court. He told the minister's wife all these things. After all, the prince is orthodox, and he also wants to rely on the empress and His Royal Highness the prince."

After she finished speaking, there was silence.

Ruan Muyang quietly waited for Queen Qiu's attitude.What she said was quite candid.

At this moment, applause and footsteps suddenly came from the main hall.

Ruan Muyang's heart suddenly rose.

There are others here.

Doesn't that mean that what she said just now has been heard by others?She was afraid that she would fall into Queen Qiu's trap.

"Mrs. Zhang is well said." Accompanied by a voice with a smile, a promoted figure came out from behind.

It was Yin Ji.

Ruan Muyang looked at him in surprise, speechless.

Why is he here?

In fact, Yin Ji has been hiding behind. Ruan Muyang started from Ganquan Palace, and he could hear every word he said clearly.

Empress Qiu didn't seem to expect that Yin Ji would show up at this time, she frowned and said, "Why did Master Yin come out?"

"Empress Empress." Yin Ji bowed to Empress Qiu, then looked at Ruan Muyang and said, "Master Zhang and Mrs. Zhang's plan is really amazing. Now that Luo Jie is growing alone, if he wants to bring it down, he can only join hands to get rid of it first." Then, let’s settle our grievances according to our ability.”

"I didn't expect Mrs. Yin to solve the problems for the empress and the prince." By this time, if Ruan Muyang didn't know that the "counselor" behind the queen was Yin Ji, he would be too stupid.

It's just that she didn't expect Yin Ji to be so scary.He was either in the Hanlin Academy or in the East Palace all day long. He seemed like an insignificant pawn. Who would have known that he could see clearly the situation in the court and conclude that Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao were the ones who teamed up with Xie Zhao just based on the matter of Luo Jie's second son-in-law? ?

I'm afraid neither Zhang Anyi nor Luo Jie paid attention to the fact that there is such a person.

Now that Yin Ji has come out, Empress Qiu no longer hides it, and said to Ruan Muyang: "Since this is the case, I will not hide any more. If Mrs. Zhang wants to send any news to me in the future, I can use Mr. Yin." From Queen Qiu's words, it can be felt that she trusts and relies on Yin Ji very much.Even though, she was a little dissatisfied with Yin Ji's self-talk.

For some reason, knowing that the person behind the queen was Yin Ji, Ruan Muyang felt that his plan was almost done.

She immediately said: "Thank you for your trust. Luo Jie corrupted the law and formed a party for personal gain. What the empress fears is also what the ministers and their husbands fear. His Royal Highness is orthodox, and the world will naturally belong to His Royal Highness in the future."

Queen Qiu nodded and said, "Then it's up to Mr. Zhang. If necessary, Mr. Yin can also help you."

"Yes, Madam, don't worry." Ruan Muyang said, "It's getting late, my wife will leave first."

Queen Qiu seemed to have a lot of things to think about, so she nodded and said, "Go down."

Yin Ji said: "I will send Mrs. Zhang off."

Queen Qiu didn't stop her.

Walking out of Oasis Palace with Yin Ji, Ruan Muyang kept silent and didn't speak because his heart was complicated.

She found that Yin Ji was no longer that frivolous apprentice outside Yangzhou City.Seeing him in Ganquan Palace today is as surprising as seeing his name on the gold list back then.

Because of his bad deeds in the past and because he was younger than himself, Ruan Muyang was always a little arrogant when facing him, but now he can no longer regard him as the Yin Ji he was back then.

Watching the palace servants who sent them out turned back, Yin Ji finally said, "Does Mrs. Zhang have a lot to ask the next official?" He saw Ruan Muyang's expression in his eyes from the beginning to the end, and couldn't say it in his heart. Complacent, his tone became frivolous.

He was indeed the one who found out about Zhang Anyi and Xie Zhao and told Queen Qiu.

Knowing that Empress Qiu was going to summon Ruan Muyang today, Yin Ji specifically asked to hide behind, saying that he wanted to guess Zhang Anyi's attitude from her words, but in fact it was more selfish and wanted to see her.

"You hide it really deep." Ruan Muyang was a little angry for no reason, "How did you find out?"

"I'm afraid it's not good for people to see us talking together, come with me."

Seeing Yin Ji reaching out to pull her, Ruan Muyang took a small step back vigilantly, with warning in his eyes.Why is this man still so frivolous?

Yin Ji smiled indifferently, and said exaggeratedly: "Mrs. Zhang, please."

Ruan Muyang followed him to an unused palace, and there was no one around.Seeing the proud look of Yin Ji's raised lips, she felt that she had fallen for him, frowned slightly, and said in a cold tone: "There is no one else, you can talk about it."

Still this domineering, noble and inviolable look.

But he just can't forget it.

Yin Ji laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "The lower officials are not the only ones who can tell."

Ruan Muyang's heart tightened: "Who else?"

"And you, Mrs. Zhang." Although Yin Ji's attitude was rascal and frivolous, his tone was firm.

He has been to Zhang's mansion and Zhang Anyi's study, and knows that he handles affairs in the study.Moreover, a person with his personality would never want to involve her in such a big matter.

Unsuspectingly exposed, Ruan Muyang felt as if he had been seen through, his heart almost jumped out, and he subconsciously said, "Yin Ji, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Yin Ji had long been used to her attitude, and continued, "Master Zhang didn't tell you these things, did he? You guessed it yourself." When he mentioned this matter, he looked at Ruan Muyang with admiration in his heart.

In the past, he only thought that she was crueler, calmer and smarter than ordinary women.

She is not at all like the young lady raised in the servant's mansion.

"You are so courageous, you dare to use the name of Mrs. Zhang to cooperate with the empress." Yin Ji frowned, looking at her in an incomprehensible manner, "but what are you trying to figure out?" He also didn't call her "Mrs. Zhang", as if he was back in the temple outside Yangzhou City, and he pretended to want to see her.

Now that he had been spotted, and he was facing Yin Ji, Ruan Muyang did not stop doing anything, and admitted: "I have no comment."

"You can be so righteous in doing bad things, I admire you." After teasing, Yin Ji changed the subject, "It seems that Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang are hiding a lot of things from each other, which is not as rumored outside Love." Speaking of this, the smile on his face came from the heart.

What he said touched Ruan Muyang's sore spot: "Lord Yin, please respect yourself."

"It's enough for Mrs. Zhang to be self-respecting." After revealing her secret, Yin Ji's attitude became even worse, and the frivolity in his words was hardly concealed.

Ruan Muyang was dignified and calm. He had met very few disciples in two lifetimes, and he had no experience in dealing with such people. He was so angry that he had no choice but to change the subject, saying: "Lord Yin Now that you know everything, why didn't you expose me in front of the queen?"

Yin Ji replied, "You know, I won't expose you." His tone softened instantly.

Ruan Muyang was speechless for a moment.She had always known Yin Ji's thoughts, but she was unable to respond, and she was unwilling to give him any thoughts.

"When I met you outside the city of Yangzhou, you were still a child of fifteen or sixteen years old, and I was already married at that time."

age?He doesn't care, it doesn't irritate him.

Knowing that if she continued to speak, as dignified as her, she might turn her head and leave, and also knew that if she said something like "I don't want you to respond", it would definitely burden her, Yin Ji smiled, still the usual, In a tone that would make Ruan Muyang angry, he said, "I'd be happy to see you husband and wife concealing things from each other."

Ruan Muyang raised his eyebrows high, and the emotion in his heart was dispelled by his anger. "It's best for Mr. Yin not to expose it. Don't worry, Mr. Yin. What I want to say about cooperating with the queen is not a lie. Only the prince is orthodox."

Seeing that the red palace walls made her lips more red and her teeth whiter, Yin Ji blinked, and finally took his eyes away from her face, and said: "The matter of 'cooperating' with Mr. Zhang is fully entrusted to the empress." Officer, if Mrs. Zhang has anything to do, you can still ask Han Shi to find me in the official residence, and there will be many opportunities for us to meet in the future."

After watching Ruan Muyang leave the palace, Yin Ji turned back to Ganquan Palace.

"Master Yin and Mrs. Zhang know each other?" Queen Qiu's eyes were full of inquiry.

Yin Ji replied: "When I was compiling "Guanghua Shengdian" with Mr. Zhang, I had a few encounters with Mrs. Zhang."

Empress Qiu dispelled her suspicions, nodded and asked again: "Master Yin, do you think her words are credible?"

"Although you believe it, you have to be on guard. Why don't your empress and His Royal Highness let them fight with snipe and clam, and praying mantis catching cicada?"

(End of this chapter)