Phoenix Fight: The First Concubine

Chapter 119 My heart is at ease
If you didn't turn your face back then, but let you marry the daughter of the Chu family, then you would also lose the possibility of becoming the throne in the future!

Because what Xiao Mingrui just said about Huo Guang was exactly what Emperor Jianwu was worried about and what he wanted to say. How could he let such a family continue to prosper and threaten the Xiao family's rule?

Emperor Jianwu pondered for a moment and said: "How about this, isn't Xiao Wu still not engaged? In my opinion, let Wei Beihou's eldest daughter be designated as the princess."

Xiao Mingrui was still a little excited. As for the younger brother... a dead Taoist friend never dies, and this eldest daughter of Marquis of Weibei is much more noble than the daughter of that concubine just now, so marrying Xiao Mingchen to be a princess is naturally enough.

Hearing that this woman is very famous, Xiao Mingrui knew that he could not refuse.

Because this matter was probably decided by Emperor Jianwu long ago.

If Xiao Mingrui behaved well today, he would marry the eldest daughter of the Chu family to the fifth brother instead of marrying him.

And this is also a bargaining chip for him!

Because the fifth brother is his own younger brother, the Chu family will help him in this situation.

At this point, it can be said that Emperor Jianwu added political chips to his son, showing some meaning of cultivation.

Compared to marrying yourself, marrying a younger brother will always avoid controversy, and it is indeed the best way.

Don't look at the confrontation between the two as if it took a long time, but in fact it was just a blink of an eye.

Except for Gao Wugong who was waiting on the sidelines, no one else would know that at this noon, the father and son had a conversation that changed the fate of many people.

"My son thanked my father for my fifth younger brother. It's just that we have to be filial to our mother and empress now, so it's not appropriate to talk about marriage."

"It's okay, I will give you a marriage first, and we will get married next year. Presumably, this is what the queen wants to see."

Emperor Jianwu sighed.

Speaking of the deceased Empress Yuan, he also acted very sad.

But when he turned his eyes to look at his son, he said again: "I heard that you and the concubine have a deep relationship, even so, don't forget what the responsibility of the royal family is!"

Xiao Mingrui's heart shuddered: "My son will always remember my father's instructions."

When Xiao Mingrui came out of the West Nuan Pavilion of Qianqing Palace, the warm sunshine shone on his body, making people feel warm from the heart.

Xiao Mingrui looked up at the green willows and safflowers on the palace wall, and felt dazed.

After this time, there were finally more bargaining chips.

He thought to himself, wondering if his father had tried anything on the elder brother's side?
Xiao Luzi reminded him, "Concubine Hui, please go to Chonghua Palace, the princess is also there now."

"Okay, let's go and pick up the princess."

For some reason, Xiao Mingrui desperately wanted to see Murong Wei.

He wanted to share all this with her, to see her smile, so as to calm his shock just now.

For Xiao Mingrui, his little wife is the radiant sun in his not-so-warm life, giving him infinite courage and motivation to face the more treacherous life every time.

Many times, there is such a person, who is different, in your heart.

However, when he arrived at Chonghua Palace and saw Concubine Hui and Murong Wei talking and laughing, seeing her peaceful smile, the ups and downs in his heart suddenly calmed down.

A lot of what I wanted to say at first became unimportant.

Xiao Mingrui suddenly understood... In fact, he just wanted to be with her.

What does it matter what you say and do?
Two beloved ones are together, why bother to limit what to do?
The place where my heart is at ease is my hometown.

"The prince is here."

Murong Wei bowed her body to salute, and greeted her with a smile: "If your husband doesn't come, we will start first. The concubine mother has a lot of delicious vegetarian dishes here, and there are not many fresh vegetarian dishes at this time, so it's Fengtai. It was sent over there. I thought about going back and asking someone to set up a greenhouse to grow some vegetables."

Xiao Mingrui looked at her coquettishly, the radiant look when she spoke, the radiant look with the corners of her mouth raised when she said something she was interested in, and the caring look when she cared about his body.

My heart seemed to be filled to the brim in an instant, and it couldn't hold anything else.

"Okay, look at the things here. It's really good." He sat down in front of the round table of Huanghuali Fuguihua Bingdilian, "It's a pity that the fifth brother is not here, otherwise, we would have gathered together."

Concubine Hui regretfully said: "That's not true, since that kid opened the mansion, he hasn't seen anyone all day long, and he doesn't know what he's busy with."

"I'll let him enter the palace some other day to greet my concubine mother. He will enter the palace no matter what. He is also very busy recently."

Concubine Hui nodded: "He is not young anymore, of course he has to stand on his own. It's a pity that there is no way to prepare for his marriage during this time, but we can't delay it any longer. I'll find someone secretly."

Xiao Mingrui asked the left and right to step back while eating, Concubine Hui asked strangely: "What's wrong with you?"

Xiao Mingrui nodded and said: "I'm going to see my father today, my father intends to let my fifth younger brother marry the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Weibei as the princess."

Concubine Hui was taken aback, her expression changed a few times, she thought about the reason why the emperor did this, and after a while, she thought that the Chu family also has a relationship with Xiao Mingrui, and they will support Xiao Mingrui, the key is the Chu family's The power is stronger than that of Concubine Hui's natal Li family.

This made Concubine Hui a little uneasy.

But fortunately due to her status, she is Xiao Mingrui and Xiao Mingchen's adoptive mother after all, a queen mother will not be able to escape in the future.

She cares about the emperor's mind.

It seems that, just like what Murong Wei said, the emperor really treats the Chu family very well.

As soon as the queen left, she chose the daughter of the Chu family as the princess.

Concubine Hui's heart was sour, and she thought to herself, it's true that people compare themselves to others, and it makes people mad.

But she cheered up anyway, after all Xiao Mingchen's relationship with her was like mother and son, that couldn't be changed.

And judging by what the emperor means, he is very optimistic about Mingrui.

Although she originally intended to marry her niece to Xiao Mingchen, but Emperor Jianwu said something, she had no way to refute it to Emperor Jianwu.

"The eldest daughter of the Chu family, I have heard of it, she has always been famous."

Murong Wei was also very surprised. She didn't expect so many things at the moment, but she just thought it was very strange. Why did she suddenly say that she would marry the daughter of the Chu family?
Seeing Murong Wei's puzzled eyes, Xiao Mingrui smiled slightly, and didn't tell her what he talked about with his father at noon that day.

"Father said that he would wait a few months for inspection before granting the marriage, and then he would have to wait until next year."

"Heh, congratulations to my fifth brother, I will have a younger brother tomorrow."

Seeing that Xiao Mingrui didn't say anything, Murong Wei knew there must be something tricky about it.

Since he didn't say anything, she wouldn't take the initiative to ask.

"Yeah, this kid will be overjoyed when he hears the news. I think he needs someone to take care of him."

Concubine Hui laughed: "I'll get people to pay more attention to Ms. Chu later, and I can always get the details."

After lunch, after sitting for a while, Concubine Hui was going to worship the Buddha.

Xiao Mingrui and Murong Wei came out of the palace and went back directly to the mansion.

Xiao Mingrui asked: "Why is the mother concubine so devout to the Buddha today? I didn't see her playing with these things very much in the past. She spent three days fishing and two days drying nets."

Murong Wei clasped her hands together, pretending to be a ghost: "Benefactor, don't you know that wine and meat pass through the intestines, and the Buddha will keep it in the heart? Concubine Hui realized it and became a Buddha immediately."

Xiao Mingrui laughed so hard that he fell down: "Yes, you're still playing tricks on me! Then let me ask you, where is Master Xianyou?"

Murong Wei said solemnly: "Come from wherever you go, go wherever you go."

He held back a smile and pointed to the fresh peach blossoms placed in the carriage, "Okay, then master, tell me, where did these flowers come from?"

Murong Wei thought for a moment, put on an unpredictable and profound look, and said: "When you haven't looked at this flower, this flower and your heart will die together. When you look at this flower, the color of this flower will become clear for a moment."

Xiao Mingrui was stunned for a moment, then thought deeply: "It's actually very meaningful, Xiaosheng admires it."

Murong Wei waved her hand: "Thank you, thank you."

He smiled and stretched out his hand to pinch her face, Murong Wei broke her skills at once, frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "I'm not a child, don't pinch."

Xiao Mingrui seemed to really want to see her embarrassing, and wanted to make trouble with her, Murong Wei fought back, and the young couple started fighting in the carriage.

If this situation is seen by others, I'm afraid they will be surprised.

I don't know how long it has passed, but I have already returned to the Luo Palace.

Murong Wei stared at it with a target mirror, and said angrily, "Image, my image is completely ruined."

Wasn't that right, the clothes on her body were still neat and tidy, but Xiao Mingrui made a lot of noise, and the clothes were also messed up and wrinkled.

Looking at Xiao Mingrui again, it's not much better, a few small strawberries were bitten by Murong Wei on his neck, which really damaged his image of being wise and martial.

As a result, the husband and wife looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

This is still difficult for husband and wife.

After tidying up and returning to the mansion, the small road behind was still muttering, why is the carriage so bumpy, and the prince and concubine's clothes were all wrinkled in the carriage.

It seems that people have to see if they can make the carriage more comfortable.

In a few days it will be May [-]th, and I said that I will be doing a water and land dojo.

In the royal temples and Taoist temples in the capital, all Taoist temples entered the palace for seven days, and performed rituals outside the palace for a hundred days, which is really very grand.

When Xiao Mingchen got from his elder brother the daughter that he was going to marry Weibei Hou Chu Jizu, he couldn't help saying in surprise: "No, I don't want such a father-in-law."

Xiao Mingrui said helplessly, "This is Father's decision."

Xiao Mingchen had a bitter face: "Why would the royal father ask me to marry the daughter of the Chu family?"

Xiao Mingrui didn't hide it from him, and told him about the previous conversation.

"If the fifth brother is unwilling, he can tell his father, after all, the news hasn't spread yet."

Xiao Mingrui was really thinking about his younger brother.

In the past few days, he has also checked the situation of Miss Chu's family. Judging from various conditions, she is a generous and gentle woman. For someone who is smart but a bit evasive like Fifth Brother, it is necessary to find a gentle and sensible wife. It's much better, because if two people who are too lively meet together, how can they live as housekeepers?
Besides, it can be neutralized somehow, so that the fifth brother's temper can be stabilized.

Xiao Mingchen's temper was a bit out of character, but it didn't mean he was stupid.

Soon, he understood his situation, and understood that his father's move was to increase the bargaining chip for his second brother. At the same time, he had fulfilled his promise to the queen, and he had given an explanation to the Chu family.

In this case, what if he wanted to object?
Besides, although I hate that future father-in-law, there is nothing wrong with his daughter.

Xiao Mingchen was silent for a moment, then smiled and said: "Father has already said it, I don't have the guts like yours to fight against him. Since Father has chosen, Father has always valued our first wife, so he won't be careless. That should be fine."

Xiao Mingrui felt a little guilty: "Elder brother can't let you marry the woman you like."

Xiao Mingchen shook his head: "I don't have a woman I like. Besides, I don't want to beg for trouble like you, second brother. When the time comes, I'm just guarding a woman. Are you tired? Tell me? We are still ordered by our parents and told by matchmakers. , didn’t you have a good time.”

Regarding this point, Xiao Mingchen didn't think there was anything wrong.

Besides, he felt that his brother had done so much for him, so he should do something for him.

"I also checked Miss Chu's situation, she is a nice woman."

Xiao Mingchen became interested, and said furtively, "Second brother, can you find out when she leaves the house? I'll meet you by chance."

Xiao Mingrui was still in a depressed mood but he couldn't laugh or cry, "Nonsense, it's still in the period of filial piety."

"Hey, what's the matter, I just want to meet people. I can't get married at that time, and I don't even know what I look like?"

Xiao Mingrui thought for a while: "I'll be watched by someone, and I'll let you know when the time comes. If Miss Chu goes out, you can take a peek. But she is a lady, how can I let you just look at it when I go out?"

Xiao Mingchen proudly said: "The mountain people have their own tricks."

Xiao Mingrui knew that he always had a lot of tricks, so he didn't ask too many questions, he just told him not to be self-defeating and be taken as a disciple.

Murong Wei heard about this, and became interested: "Everyone has to observe filial piety, and it's not convenient to hold a banquet. I think when the three-month filial piety period of Gongqing's family comes, they will go out to visit friends and have a banquet. You tell me, and I'll help you see each other."

"Okay, I'm also worried about Fifth Brother's temperament, don't be regarded as a disciple by then."

Xiao Mingrui saw that Murong Wei was looking at the account book and making plans, she moved very quickly, he was also very surprised seeing this.

I really don't know how much she knows, but I always feel that she gives people a sense of vitality.

"Father asked me to go to the Ministry of Rites as a servant to watch politics."

Murong Wei paused the pen in his hand, playing with taste: "Department of Rites? What a great place."

Although the Ministry of Rites is a Qingshui yamen, it is a noble place in the court.

Most of the officials who have been promoted to the cabinet have worked as officials in the Ministry of Rites, or they are ministers of the Ministry of Rites, or ministers of the Ministry of Rites.

Familiar with the national regulations, etiquette system, organized large-scale celebrations, funerals, presided over the wedding and funeral ceremonies of the prince's family, responsible for the selection of examiners for the annual local examinations, personnel dispatch, etc., is a place that needs to be taken seriously.

After completing the errands of the Ministry of Rites, I learned about the country's most important celebrations and the country's most important talent promotion ceremony... the procedure of the imperial examination, and I also understand how the imperial court works. Besides, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites also supervises the Imperial Academy. , This is where the future mainstream officials of North Korea and China were born.

So it is both clean and expensive.

Once promoted to this place, they are all potential stocks and are eligible to enter the cabinet.

Although he was only asked to observe politics, he was obviously also responsible for things.

"However, let the eldest brother go to the Ministry of War to observe politics."

Murong Wei was surprised and said: "Military Department... how come, can he break into the military department?"

King Qi doesn't know much about these military and state affairs, so what do you ask him to go to the Ministry of War?
Could it be that he went to the empty office of the Ministry of War to draw maps and serve as a staff officer?

However, if it is a place like the Military Selection Division that controls the promotion of generals, it will be of great benefit to Qi Wang!

Xiao Mingrui took the book and looked at it, stretching his body: "I don't know if I can fight in... But at least, I think the eldest brother wants to make military achievements."

"Military merit? There hasn't been much fighting recently, has there been a riot somewhere?"

"Yes, Guangxi chieftain Wei Yinbao rebelled and captured several counties. This is the news that came today. Father was furious, and the cabinet immediately prepared to dispatch troops to put down the rebellion."

Murong Wei didn't know about this yet, so she was surprised when she heard it.

"Isn't this looking for death?" Now that the imperial court's martial arts are at their peak, it is an act of looking for death if they want to start some kind of rebellion at this time.If the emperor is not destroyed, who will you destroy?

"There are fewer Han people there, and Wei Yinbao has always been ambitious. He doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth. He dares to capture the county seat, kill the court officials, and the big family in the city. Naturally, he must be punished for such behavior. The father is at this time. The Ministry of War seems to be sending him there."

Murong Wei was thoughtful: "Is that going to fight with the governor?"

"If he's right, he will be the governor, and the fourth brother will also go. The imperial court will send Hu Xiancheng, the commander-in-chief, to participate in the suppression of the rebellion."

Murong Wei thought for a while and said, "It's really interesting. King Qi has never cared about military matters. Does he know how to fight? Even if the fourth brother likes military affairs, it's impossible for him to go to the battlefield after he goes there, right? I think, It’s good not to make trouble then.”

"It doesn't matter whether you understand it or not..." Xiao Mingrui said with deep eyes: "Father did this to give big brother a military merit. To be honest, I want to go by myself."

As he spoke, his tone was a little lost.

His good father never forgets to strike a balance.

Isn't it the same now?
He was transferred to the Ministry of Rites, and the eldest brother went to the Ministry of War.

In the past, the king of Qi had no military merits, and he could not get involved in the army system. This was his weakness.

Now it's interesting, King Qi can also get involved.

If he performed better, no matter what, he could get a lot of praise, and this military merit can be regarded as falling on him.

In fact, he prefers to lead troops to fight compared to fighting in the court in Beijing.

"Who said that this military merit is easy to earn? Although it seems that you can't earn anything if you stay in the capital, I don't think so."

Murong Wei picked up a pen and wrote down the pros and cons on a piece of paper.

"Husband, you write down the advantages and disadvantages of what you think King Qi has gone through, and then write down your advantages and disadvantages in the capital, don't you know how to choose?"

Xiao Mingrui raised his eyebrows and looked at her: "I think you are confident?"

Murong Wei smiled and said, "I don't know about your men, so let's do it, let's write our own. See if there are any similarities in the end."

"Okay, then let's write our own."

Xiao Mingrui took a pen to contemplate for a moment, and wrote down the advantages and disadvantages he thought.

After a quarter of an hour, Murong Wei finished writing, looked back and said with a smile: "Husband, can I have a look?"

Xiao Mingrui tacitly exchanged hands with hers, and saw the good and bad points of King Qi written on it.

The advantage is to gain military merits, cultivate strength in the army, and gain status in the court.

The disadvantage is that it has been away from the center of the capital for too long, and it is not easy to control; the local officers and soldiers come from many provinces, each has contradictions, and it is difficult to integrate; There are too many officers and soldiers, and the generals are too straight. If you win a big victory, you should, and if you lose, the governor is incompetent.

Looking at myself again, the disadvantage is that I can't get military merits, and I'm not as good as the opponent in the limelight.

The advantage is that the one who establishes the capital wins the world, can control the court's movements at any time, and control the opponent calmly, and get away at any time.

He can control the direction of public opinion in the imperial court, secretly develop the power among the courtiers, and if he does not make a sound, he will become a blockbuster.

With military achievements, why do we need to add more flowers?
A few years later, the world has changed, and no one knows what changes will happen to the court in a few years.

Murong Wei read what Xiao Mingrui wrote, and rubbed her wrist, "It seems that my husband has already made up his mind. You said that the center of steadiness does not move, and this point is in agreement with me."

Xiao Mingrui flicked the paper, "You have so much confidence in me? You think it's more beneficial to stay in the capital? From this point of view, it's not worth the loss for the big brother to leave the capital for the unknown military achievements."

"Isn't your husband more aware of this than me?"

Xiao Mingrui saw her get up and fiddle with the blooming flowers in the blue and white porcelain arc, and did not refute.

Yes, he knows all about it.

If you stay away from the center, no matter how great your achievements are, if you cannot return to the capital, you will soon find that the people on the starting line with you are already in high positions, far surpassing you.

Xiao Mingrui believed that his father must have tested his eldest brother before and gave him this big cake, and King Qi also understood that this would do him more good than harm.

Because staying in the capital will do nothing.

At least from the immediate perspective is beneficial.

So no matter what, King Qi is going, and his idea is to put down the rebellion and return to Beijing as soon as possible.

This is the same reason as Xiao Mingrui went to Saibei to fight with the army.

Sometimes there are things that have to be done.

Although King Qi had to face many problems when he went this time, he had to integrate the officials and soldiers of Qiuba, be responsible for the operation and distribution of food, grass and luggage, coordinate the relationship between local officials and the army, arrange a good strategy, and finally let the general lead the troops to fight.

Overall, this is actually a specific and micro-task.

If you can't complete this task, then just go back to the capital and become a virtuous king, and don't think about fighting for the throne.

Because, even if you can't handle this difficulty, do you still want to manage so many messy things in the world?
Therefore, even if King Qi knew the trouble of this matter, he had to. This was also the task given to him by Emperor Jianwu.

It is a ladder that determines whether he is defeated or superior.

At least, the two brothers stood on the starting line.

Although King Qi has already had quite a few criticisms from Emperor Jianwu, he will not choose an heir casually.

"I don't know who is in charge of the household department?"

Murong Wei suddenly asked.

Xiao Mingrui looked solemn: "It's Master Zhou, he's going to Beijing soon, this time he's transferred from the governor of the southeast to the Minister of the Household Department."

Zhou Biyang, Xiao Mingrui's mentor, was forced to leave the capital because of a political dispute in the tenth year of Jianwu, but in the past five years, he has also achieved a lot of political achievements. He is indeed a capable official .

Murong Wei heard him talk about it, and he respected this Master Zhou very much, and he always blamed himself for being unable to keep him and keeping him away from the capital.

Now Emperor Jianwu actually transferred Zhou Biyang to the capital, and as soon as he came back, he became the Minister of the Household Department who was absent because the original Shangshu retired due to illness. This move is very meaningful.

"Master Zhou is coming back?" Murong Wei cupped her hands and said, "Then I really have to congratulate the lord, it seems that the lord is Jane in the heart of the emperor."

Xiao Mingrui was also very happy when he mentioned this matter, and said with a smile: "When Master Zhou returns to Beijing, I will invite him to the mansion as a guest. I haven't seen him for five years, and I miss him very much."

At this moment, I saw Su De coming to discuss something important with Xiao Mingrui.

Murong Wei obediently said that she was going to see if the dinner was ready, so she left Su De and Xiao Mingrui behind.

"My lord, I have already left the palace, and now I have been taken to that place."

Su De is not very clear about the purpose of the prince to get the maid out of the palace, but he knows that the prince attaches great importance to it.

The old eunuch murmured to himself: Could it be that the prince has taken a fancy to that woman?

Just looking at Xiao Mingrui's expression, he didn't show much excitement. When he heard Su De's words, he just smiled slightly, "In that case, just do as you said. Remember, don't let anyone find out."

(End of this chapter)