long live the queen

Chapter 62

After setting the next goal, the first thing Wei Yunqing has to do is to collect information.

When he first entered the palace, Wei Yunqing planned to visit the palace for a few days. He never planned to meet anyone, and his understanding of the people in the palace was very limited. They were all Lu Cui and Lan Tian when they were in Jinyang before. She listened.After leaving the palace, she was even less interested in the affairs of the palace.Now that she was forced to return to this place this time, she was so focused on getting out of the palace that she couldn't devote any of her energy to the people and things in the palace.Even though she thought about reforming Yang Yi before, her eyes never fell on other people.

But now, she must understand the situation of the entire palace, even including the previous dynasty.Yang Yi is an emperor, he has been in contact with not only the harem, but also the former dynasty, if he wants to change the people around him, he must be thorough.

This is a big project, but when Wei Yunqing was thinking about the whole plan, he still felt that it was much easier than transforming Yang Yi alone.Moreover, judging from the incident in the imperial dining room, although Yang Yi did not come to her now, he still gave her the greatest support—thinking of this, Wei Yunqing felt extremely complicated.

It is far from enough for Lucui and Lantian to understand the intelligence in the palace. After thinking about it, Wei Yunqing found that the only person he could find was Cao Jun.At any rate, she had some friendship with Cao Jun in the past, and it seemed that Cao Jun and Zheng Xiang were not at odds, so she might be able to draw him as an ally.

It didn't take much effort for Wei Yunqing to send someone to invite Cao Jun to come over. After arriving, Cao Jun also had a smile on his face, showing no perfunctory meaning.

"Eunuch Cao, please sit down." Wei Yunqing said politely.

Cao Jun laughed and said, "Your Majesty, if you have any orders, just say that the slaves are not tired, so you should stand and listen carefully."

"I just want to chat with Eunuch Cao, and I think it will take a while. Eunuch Cao should sit down." Wei Yunqing said with a smile.

Cao Jun understood that Wei Yunqing was going to have a long talk, so he didn't refuse. He thanked him and sat down. After the palace servants served tea, they retreated. Only Cao Jun, Wei Yunqing, Lantian and Lucui were left in the room.

"I don't know why my mother is looking for slaves..." Cao Jun asked with a smile.

Wei Yunqing smiled and said: "After I entered the palace, I didn't have time to understand the situation in the palace. I was ignorant before, and I was afraid that I offended many people. From now on, I will always have a longer memory. It is best not to offend others, but the situation in the palace , my eyes are darkened, and the only person I know in the palace is Eunuch Cao, so I can only trouble Eunuch Cao for some pointers."

Cao Jun was slightly stunned, then smiled and said: "I dare not give advice. However, servants are considered old people in this palace. They know a little about the situation in each palace, and they may tell you a thing or two for your empress."

He silently thought, you are protected by the emperor, even if you offend someone, who would dare to take you to death?But this is an opportunity to please Wei Yunqing anyway, he doesn't mind spending some time talking about the general situation in the palace.

"Then I have to thank Eunuch Cao." Wei Yunqing said, "I don't know anything about this palace, Eunuch Cao can tell you in detail, I just listen to it as a story. There is enough tea, so I won't be thirsty you."

Cao Jun said with a smile: "Look at what you said, the slaves must know everything, so how dare they hide anything."

"It's serious, let's just talk about it, you just treat me as an audience listening to the story, just let it go and say it." Wei Yunqing smiled.

Cao Jun was happy to get closer to Wei Yunqing, so he stopped being polite, and said with a smile: "The servant girl is making a fool of herself."

Probably because Wei Yunqing, as a woman in the harem, must be more interested in the situation in the harem. Cao Jun first mentioned the concubines in the harem.

Before Wei Yunqing came, the most favored woman in the harem was Concubine Zhuang. Her father was originally a small county magistrate, but after her daughter was selected, she was promoted to a title, and she was able to live comfortably on the imperial salary.Concubine Zhuang lived in the main hall of Jingren Palace, and the side hall lived in two low-ranking concubines, Lin Meiren and Li Cairen, who had never slept in bed.Wei Yunqing could understand this point, with Concubine Zhuang's domineering temperament, it was no wonder that the concubine living in her palace could find a chance to hook up with the emperor.Thinking about it, the life of those two concubines was not easy, and she had never seen them during the limited days in the palace.

The next favorite was Xu Zhaoyi, who made an exception and lived in the main hall of the Yonghe Palace, and the side hall lived in two selected servants surnamed Wang and Liu. Except for Xu Zhaoyi, Wang Xuanshi and Liu Xuanshi had also served in bed.According to Cao Jun, Xu Zhaoyi's character is gentle and lively, which makes people feel like a spring breeze.Her father was a scholar, and after she was elected, she was also conferred a noble title. His daughter was favored, and his life was nourished.

The tradition of choosing concubines in Daliang is to choose excellent women from poor families to enter the palace. Therefore, for hundreds of years since the dynasty was established, the problem of foreign relatives is very rare.

The main hall of Chengqian Palace lived in Concubine Xu Gui, the highest-ranking concubine before Wei Yunqing came. Her father was the chief guest minister of the Ministry of Rites. Stupid, the status is the highest, but he is not favored, so far the number of bedtimes can be counted on one hand.However, Yang Yi has no heirs in the harem, she has the highest status, and is in charge of all affairs in the harem, and no one dares to despise her.Ma Zhaoyi lives in the side hall of Chengqian Palace, who has never served in bed and has a good relationship with Concubine Xu Gui.

The rest are low-ranking concubines, who are currently living in Jingyang Palace, and none of them have slept with them.

Yang Yi is not very old, and there are not many concubines in the harem. He is more interested in playing, so there are fewer concubines who have slept with him.Besides his not-so-big harem, there was only one concubine with her daughter, who was the emperor's half-sister, living in the Changchun Palace, and they lived in seclusion, so Wei Yunqing had never seen them.The little eldest princess is now 12 years old, but few people know her temperament, and Cao Jun has not deliberately tried to understand it.

Of course, this was all before Wei Yunqing's arrival. After her arrival, the structure of the harem changed to a certain extent.She has become the highest ranking and most "favored" concubine. Although she has never served in bed, everyone knows that even if you offend the emperor, you can't provoke her.Of course, there are also those who do not believe in evil. For example, the concubine Zhuang, relying on the emperor's love for her in the past, did not pay attention to Wei Yunqing, and Yang Yi also showed affection for the old concubine Zhuang when dealing with the conflict between the two. Therefore, Concubine Zhuang did not stop fighting.

As for the matter of being in charge of the central palace, Yang Yi also knew that Wei Yunqing was forced to enter the palace by him, so he did not sensibly throw Xu Guifei's rights and obligations on Wei Yunqing's head.

"Nowadays, which concubine in this palace is as beautiful as your empress? Even in the past when Concubine Zhuang was the most favored, she was not as beautiful as you." Cao Jun smiled and flattered.

Wei Yunqing forced a smile, and asked along the way: "Then what is the eunuch organization in this palace like?"

Cao Jun smiled and said: "This inner court, our eunuchs are in charge of twelve prisons, four divisions, and eight bureaus, a total of 24 yamen. The chief of the 24 yamen where the servants and maids are located is the head of the [-] yamen. Son, they are all under the supervision of the eunuch, the supervisor of rituals and the admiral."

He coughed and said, "At present, the position of admiral and eunuch is temporarily vacant, and Eunuch Zheng will take over temporarily. The former...followed the emperor's personal conquest, and unfortunately died on the battlefield to escort him."

Wei Yunqing was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered what Yang Yi had been saying all along, he had heard the slander from the servants about Yu Jia's personal conquest, and it must be this person he was talking about.Yang Yi seemed to have a lot of resentment towards that person, she had never heard Yang Yi mention his name.

"Under this admiral eunuch, is Eunuch Zheng, the eunuch with palm prints, and now he is also serving as admiral eunuch, which shows that the emperor has a lot of trust in him. This kind of honor and favor is hard for a servant to flatter a horse. "Referring to Zheng Xiang, Cao Jun's tone was a little weird, with some sour taste, "The servant girl is currently the eunuch holding the pen, under Zheng Gonggong, and the servant girl has the same position as the servant girl, and there are two other father-in-laws, Fang Jin and Eunuch Fang He Zhou is loyal to Eunuch Zhou, Eunuch Zhou is also the admiral of Dongchang, besides that, there are also a few eunuchs in the hall, I think Lai Niangniang has never seen it, and has no interest in it."

Wei Yunqing nodded, indeed she only needs to get a general idea now.She is not very interested in the concubines in the harem, and their influence on Yang Yi is relatively limited, but the eunuchs in power in the most powerful eunuchs in the eunuch organization have a greater influence on Yang Yi.For example, that Zheng Xiang, the eunuch in charge of the chief inspector of ceremonies, and temporarily acting as the admiral eunuch, often follows Yang Yi, and he comes up with any bad ideas. If he can be taken away, I am afraid that Yang Yi will be quiet around him. too much.

"Eunuch Cao, I seem to have offended Eunuch Zheng before." Wei Yunqing sighed, pretending to be worried, "Eunuch Zheng is so favored, almost all the harem is in his hands, and I don't know how I will live in the future..."

"Your Majesty, you don't need to worry. The Emperor's heart is with you. No matter how favored this Eunuch Zheng is, can he compare to you? You are the Emperor's favorite, but he is just a domestic slave. How can he compare with you?" Cao Jun's eyes rolled The son turned slightly, and said with a smile, "What's more, you are not alone in this palace. The servants can't see that your mother is being bullied, and they will always stand in front of you and teach you a lesson for those ignorant people who dare to offend you!"

What Cao Jun said was a sign of loyalty. He wanted to form an alliance with Wei Yunqing to deal with Zheng Xiang together.

Wei Yunqing couldn't get what he wanted, so he smiled and said: "Then I would like to thank Eunuch Cao, with you as an old man here, no one will be able to bully me, so I can feel at ease."

"Your Majesty is honored, and the servants will definitely do their best to teach your Majesty to live comfortably. Only in this way can the servants be happy." Cao Jun laughed.

Wei Yunqing also smiled, and the two looked at each other, knowing everything in their hearts.

Wei Yunqing wanted to use Cao Jun's influence in the palace to investigate and deal with many people including Zheng Xiang, and Cao Jun, in order to take a higher step, also wanted to borrow Wei Yunqing's position in Yang Yi's heart. The alliance between the two is mutually beneficial Reciprocity, everyone is happy.

Later, Cao Jun briefly talked about the situation in the previous dynasty.He thought that Wei Yunqing was not interested in the affairs of the previous dynasty, and when the alliance was first formed, Wei Yunqing didn't want Cao Jun to notice her "ambition".After all, this is ancient times, and Daliang has a tradition of "no political affairs in the harem". It is understandable for her to ask the eunuchs about the situation of the concubines in the harem. Asking about the affairs of the previous dynasty in too much detail will make people suspicious.And the alliance between her and Cao Jun is just at the beginning, and it is not stable. Even if he finally realizes her purpose, he should try his best to move forward.

The highest authority in the previous dynasty was the cabinet.The first assistant of the cabinet is the boss of the cabinet, followed by the second assistant.There is no fixed number of people in the cabinet, but basically there are about six people, as before. After the death of Sun Shoufu, the position of the first assistant was temporarily vacant, and the second assistant Mao Yirong temporarily led the cabinet to handle political affairs.Under the cabinet are six ministries, which are in charge of various affairs of the country and have great power.In addition to the national government departments, there are six departments, the Hanlin Academy, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Dali Temple, etc. The state agencies have too many affairs to be in charge of, and naturally there are many departments. Even Cao Jun may not know each department. He also briefly talked about the situation, so that Wei Yunqing could get a general idea.

Wei Yunqing only heard the general idea, but also felt a headache.The country is so big, and there are so many government agencies. If you ask the emperor for everything, the emperor will be busy even if he doesn't sleep, right?If she becomes the emperor, she probably only wants to be a foolish emperor like Yang Yi who only needs to eat, drink and have fun. Who doesn't want to live a relaxed life and have to make trouble for herself?
But as an emperor, Yang Yi should fulfill his obligations since he enjoys the rights. He only wants to enjoy the benefits of being an emperor, but he is unwilling to take on the responsibilities of an emperor. Why doesn't he simply give up the throne?

Thinking of Yang Yi and Wei Yunqing made her feel angry, she shook her head and didn't think about him, and only focused on her next plan.

Because of Yang Yi's attitude, what she wants to do to Yang Yi's people will not be without resistance, but it will not be so great that it will be difficult for her to move forward.But if she made a big move, Yang Yi would react to a certain extent sooner or later, but he didn't know whether that reaction would be good or bad for her.

After sending Cao Jun away, Wei Yunqing's first step in thinking about her huge plan was to establish her own powerful team.Things are made by people, and it would be embarrassing if no one is available to do things.The people she trusts now are Lantian and Lucui, and she is not familiar with other people in Yanxi Palace. It is unrealistic for Lantian and Lucui to do everything in the future.

Wei Yunqing asked Lucui and Lantian to summon the palace servants of Yanxi Palace in batches, and she personally conducted the interview and looked over one by one.The people sent to the palace have all been trained, and they are all decent in terms of etiquette, but the difference in individual quality is still obvious.Wei Yunqing can't tell whether the other party is loyal or not, and she doesn't intend to test anything. Anyway, it doesn't matter if they have someone else to do what she asks them to do in the future. What she cares about is whether this person is smart or not, whether he can do it succeed.

After a round of interviews, Wei Yunqing left behind three servants and four court ladies.The three servants are not very old, but they are very smart. One of them is very clever, which reminds her of Xu Guier in Qianqing Palace. Unfortunately, Xu Guier belongs to Zheng Xiang. It is still unknown whether he can incite rebellion. up.This particularly clever one is called Zhang Xiaoxie. He said that his mother wanted to eat crabs when she gave birth to him, so he took such a name.The other two servants are called Kong Babao and Feng Tian.And the four maids are called Mingzhu, Xuemei, Chunlei, Yunxin, or steady, or careful, or intelligent, or thoughtful.

Of course, this is only a preliminary screening, and the specific situation depends on the effectiveness of their next work.

Although he got some information from Cao Jun, it wasn't too detailed, so Wei Yunqing recruited these seven people and asked them to find ways to get information from other palaces, as much as possible, anything is fine.Since these seven people were chosen by Wei Yunqing, they are naturally smart people. Knowing that the errands Wei Yunqing arranged for them this time can be regarded as a test, if they are done well, they will be more in her eyes. The future is limitless, but If it goes wrong, then you won't be able to turn over.

Therefore, after receiving Wei Yunqing's order, the seven of them immediately took the order and went out, each using their own strengths to find ways to obtain news from the various palaces.

But before the results of the seven people came out, Wei Yunqing encountered something.

On this day, Wei Yunqing just learned from Lan Tian that Yang Yi still didn't go to Wen Huai to study today, and was annoyed, so someone came to inform him that Liu Xuan waited to see him.

Wei Yunqing didn't remember who this Liu Xuanshi was, Lan Tian reminded: "Mother, this Liu Xuanshi is currently living in the side hall of Yonghe Palace, living with Xu Zhaoyi."

"What did she come to see me for?" Wei Yunqing wondered.Since she became an imperial concubine, only Concubine Zhuang came to trouble her... No, that time she took the initiative to trouble Concubine Zhuang.Others may be jealous of something, or they are still waiting to see, or it may be that Yang Yi said something, and no one has come to her. The arrival of Liu Xuanshi is really a new thing for Wei Yunqing.

Now that he was ready to intervene in Yang Yi's affairs, Wei Yunqing didn't want to hide in the turtle shell anymore, so he asked Liu Xuanshi to come in.

"My lady, my concubine came to visit abruptly, and I hope my lady will forgive me." As soon as Liu Xuan came in, he saluted dignifiedly.

Wei Yunqing said: "There is no need to be too polite." The other party was polite to her, and she was also polite to others. As for being polite enough to make others not polite, or to match her sisters, she couldn't do it.

Lu Cui immediately showed tea to Liu Xuanshi, Liu Xuanshi smiled at her, then looked at Wei Yunqing, his eyes suddenly turned red.

"Liu Xuanshi, what are you..." Wei Yunqing asked in surprise.

Liu Xuan waiter took out a silk handkerchief, wiped his eyes, then quietly looked at Wei Yunqing, hesitantly said: "Madam, I don't know about this matter... I should say it or not."

Wei Yunqing thought, you made it clear that you came here for the things you didn't know whether to say, so why are you so hypocritical?

She wanted to reply that since you don't know, then don't say it, but she said it very politely: "Liu Xuan waiter, but it's okay to say."

Liu Xuanshi wiped his eyes again with a silk handkerchief, and said with a choked voice, "The concubine didn't come here for herself, but for Xu Zhaoyi."

"Xu Zhaoyi?"

"Well, this matter really has nothing to do with my concubine, but Xu Zhaoyi swallowed it without saying a word. The concubine couldn't stand it anymore, so I came to bother my mother, and I ask her to forgive me." Liu Xuan Waiter Road.

"Liu Xuanshi is kind, of course I won't blame you, but it's okay to say it." Wei Yunqing replied patiently, but he had already complained in his heart: You can say what you want, there are so many jitters, and some are not annoying. Annoying, annoying or not!

However, seeing that the other party was a beauty, Wei Yunqing suppressed the restlessness in his heart and patiently waited for the other party to reply.

"Actually, it's not a big deal." Liu Xuanshi said another nonsense before continuing, "The Winter Solstice Festival is coming, and Xu Zhaoyi should get a piece of auspicious cloud brocade from the Jiangyin Weaving Bureau as usual, but Concubine Xu said that this year There is not enough Xiangyun Brocade in the Weaving Bureau, and Concubine Zhuang wants them to leave. Xu Zhaoyi has to ask Concubine Zhuang to ask for it, but Concubine Zhuang's temper... Your Majesty, you know, how could Xu Zhaoyi get her back from her hand? ?”

"Oh..." Wei Yunqing nodded, it turned out that this was just a murder caused by a piece of cloth.She showed doubts on her face: "But what does this matter have to do with me? Liu Xuanshi, it's not that I don't want to help Xu Zhaoyi, it's just that I'm just an idler in the palace. Concubine Xu Gui is in charge of everything in the palace. To be fair, I still have to go to Concubine Xu Gui, what I say doesn't count."

Liu Xuanshi was startled, she knew that Wei Yunqing had a fight with Concubine Zhuang before.It's not an ordinary verbal fight, it's a fight!How much hatred does this have to make the two harem women fight together?She thought that with the degree of hatred between Wei Yunqing and Concubine Zhuang, when she heard that there was a chance to trouble Concubine Zhuang, even if she didn't actively help, she should show something, instead of just hanging up like she is now.

"But... Concubine Xu Gui only reasoned that she couldn't do anything about Concubine Zhuang, and she refused to uphold justice!" Liu Xuanshi was a little anxious, and his speed of speech increased.

Wei Yunqing said seriously: "Then you should beg her. Begging, maybe she will agree? You see, she just refuses, but I can't do it. You come to me, really It's better to ask her."

"But, but... Your Majesty, you are the most important person in the emperor's heart. What you say is much more useful than anyone else's." Now that Liu Xuanshi is here, he will not give up so easily.She had also heard from other people before that this newly promoted imperial concubine is also from the common people, and she is very easy-going, especially to the palace people, she is very kind, she does not look like a high-ranking imperial concubine. Speaking of this matter here, if this imperial concubine had the temperament of Concubine Zhuang, she would not even dare to come.

Wei Yunqing looked surprised: "Who do you hear that I am the emperor's most important person? This is a complete slander! Have you ever seen a favorite concubine who has never slept with her? Haven't you? Who told you? Such untruthful words are really sinister, you have to be careful of the other party's behavior!"

Liu Xuanshi was stunned in place, unable to recover from life and death.

Wait... what just happened?Did the imperial concubine describe being favored by the emperor as "slander"?This... this... where did this person come from with sinister intentions?Doesn't everyone in the palace know that the imperial concubine is favored?Why does everything taste wrong when it reaches the imperial concubine's mouth? !

(End of this chapter)