A Thousand Hills

Chapter 123

This year seems to be a bit more lively than last year. The Empress Dowager Hu in the palace and Duke Cheng'en's mansion are all looking forward to the second prince being the crown prince. Nothing more trouble.After Fang's sacrifice ceremony, Concubine Su's birthday, Mrs. Shou'an's birthday banquet, Brother Xu's first birthday wine in the fourth prince's residence, another bustling and turbulent New Year is ushered in.

After the fifth prince returned to the city, when he was talking to the fourth prince and his brother, the fourth prince swallowed the wine in his glass and said, "If there is any trouble in the future, I will learn from you and take your wife and son to hide. .”

The fifth prince sympathized with his fourth brother, poured another cup for his fourth brother himself, and said, "As soon as March is over in my place, the Ministry of Rites has nothing to do. Fourth brother, you are just the opposite. Once March is over, the weather will warm up." , the Ministry of Industry is just busy, so you can't get away, fourth brother."

"That's right." The fourth prince sighed, stopped drinking, stopped his glass and said, "I can't stop during the Chinese New Year. I really hope that the father will quickly settle the matter of the prince." Yes, his father hasn't made an order yet.One day's decree is not made, one day's people's hearts are uncertain.

The Fifth Prince deeply agreed.

Not only the fourth prince and the fifth prince are upset with the princes who feel hopeless with the big position, but also the second prince who seems to be sure in the eyes of outsiders.Especially the joint name of the ministers, only the Marquis of Nan'an did not submit the paper, and the second prince even asked Cheng Engong in private if the Marquis of Nan'an had any opinion on him.

What can Cheng Engong say, Cheng En is fair, "Your Highness doesn't know, he has always been stubborn, but it is absolutely unreasonable to say that he is disrespectful to His Highness. It's just that he is born with this temper, and he doesn't like anything except military affairs." , and ignore everything, after a long time, His Highness will know his temperament."

The second prince said, "The Marquis of Nan'an has been in the army for many years, so it's good to be familiar with military affairs. To protect the family and the country, it all depends on loyalty." He didn't say anything, and he didn't show any dissatisfaction. After a few words, Cheng Engong resigned.The second prince just asked Cheng Engong, Cheng Engong is Nan'anhou's biological father, so naturally he would not say that Nan'anhou was not good.The second prince just felt that he had always respected Nan'anhou on weekdays, but Nan'anhou had taken the wrong medicine, or did Nan'anhou prefer the fourth child?Thinking about it, the possibility of this is not high, the fourth and fifth are his own supporters, and the establishment of the reserve can be achieved today, thanks to the two of them.If the two of them had the intention of competing for the reserve, they would never propose to establish a reserve at this time.

The second prince couldn't understand the matter of the Marquis of Nan'an for a while, so he put it aside temporarily, but Qian Changshi said, "Marquis of Nan'an is a military general, and his Chinese affairs in Yu Dynasty have always been weak. Your Highness should treat him as usual." Don't go too far. Be close, and don't be cold.

The second prince nodded.

The official decree for the establishment of the crown prince was officially issued on February [-] of the following year, not for anyone else. The day of February [-] was also a first-class auspicious day predicted by Qin Tianjian himself.Empress Dowager Hu also said in the palace, "It is said that Venerable Wenxiu is the most effective. Do you want to invite Venerable Wenxiu to see this day?" This made many people want to die, especially Qin Tianjian, who was determined to Don't ask his son to take over the astrology, but tell his son to take the imperial examination at home and take the Jinshi to honor his ancestors, change his family, so that all generations will go to the imperial examination, and he will not be angry with this astrology!He is a majestic Qintian Supervisor officially appointed by the imperial court, but his reputation is not as good as that of a monk who recites scriptures in a temple!Qin Tianjian thought to himself, it's strange that Princess Fusheng didn't ask you to be the queen mother when she died, Princess Fusheng just has vision.I muttered to Queen Mother Hu very much in my heart, and deeply felt that this old lady was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

The decree is issued, but the establishment of a crown prince is not a matter of one decree. The decree has to be repaired in terms of hardware, such as repairing the East Palace, casting gold seals, making ceremonial guards, offering sacrifices to the Taizu, heaven and earth, and notifying neighboring countries to come to watch the ceremony, etc. There are all kinds of preparations in advance, and the day of the official canonization has to be counted by the Qin Tianjian. The Qin Tianjian has held back for seven to 49 days, and the auspicious day will not be until the third day of September after autumn. The most recent auspicious day.

Since Emperor Mu Yuan had made an order, he stopped being stingy and circled the nearest auspicious day. At the same time, he let the prince enter the palace every day to assist the government. In addition, the selection of officials in the East Palace also began. Emperor Mu Yuan asked the second prince, "Do you have Officials you are familiar with, just tell me to arrange them in the East Palace, and you will get along better in the future."

The second prince hurriedly said, "My son is only a little familiar with the household department. If you want to be an official, you have to ask the father to help your son. As long as you are loyal and diligent."

Emperor Mu Yuan nodded, "There are subordinate officials in your mansion. They have served you for a while, and they are considered loyal. Let them continue to serve in the East Palace. On the other hand, the officials in the East Palace are unusual, and Prime Minister Su is the head of the cabinet. I'm afraid I can't get away, Li Xiang and Feng Xiang are two, one is the Taifu and the other is the Shaofu, how about it?"

Both of them are important ministers in the court, and Li Xiang is the person in charge of the household department. The second prince has been in the household department all these years, so it can be said that he is not familiar with it.Feng Xiang is the minister of the Ministry of Rites. He had just finished presiding over Chunwei last spring, and the ceremony for the Eastern Palace was also an assignment from the Ministry of Rites. Next, the second prince will also have to deal with the Ministry of Rites.Choosing these two as the prince's teachers is not a big deal.Emperor Mu Yuan said again, "Zhan Shi of the Prince's Mansion, I have granted Ning Jijiu a long time ago. Ning Qing has talent. At that time, it was only a false title, but now it has become a real lack. You have never been with him. He has a temper. Agitation, let’s do a little business with you for now, and we’ll see it later. The rest of the positions of attendants should all be chosen from Hanlin.” Hanlin is known as the Prime Minister, so which one will be the material for the future cabinet in the future, so don’t worry about it for Emperor Mu Yuan Previously, he was timid, dawdling, and procrastinating on the matter of establishing the prince, so that the second prince once felt that he might have picked it up from the street.Now hearing his father arrange for him the officials of the Eastern Palace, the second prince Fang felt his father's love again, and felt that he had become his own again.

Emperor Mu Yuan only roughly told the second prince that the most important positions will be arranged for his son by Emperor Mu Yuan, and the cabinet will draw up a list for the rest to consider. Anyway, the official registration will be in September, so there is no need to be in a hurry.After the father and son had a conversation, Emperor Mu Yuan took his son to the East Palace and said, "Actually, the first emperor ordered people to repair the East Palace when he was in power. It's just that when I was young, the first emperor left and went east. I have never lived here. Although someone cleaned it for a while. It’s a bit old-fashioned if no one lives in it.” The paint on the pillars of the corridor is already mottled, and the palace with few people inhabited reveals the unique desertedness and loneliness.The East Palace is in the imperial city, and its area is smaller than the second prince's mansion outside the palace. It is also divided into the inner palace and the outer palace, the courtyard residence where the female relatives live, the palace house for the prince's director, and a garden with lush vegetation. Emperor Yuan pointed to a pine tree in the garden and said, "This was planted by the first emperor with me on my fourth birthday. The first emperor also said that when I was older, I would let me move to the East Palace." Thinking of myself Good dear father, the corners of Emperor Mu Yuan's eyes were moist for a moment, and when he looked at the second prince, he felt a lot of fatherly feelings, pointing to the side of this pine tree and said, "When Ah Yuan is bigger, you and he will plant a tree here too. tree." The second prince's son's nickname is Yuan.

Some words do not need too much, one sentence is enough.The second prince suddenly felt sour in his throat, and responded with a choked sob, "My son will definitely live up to my father's expectations."

Emperor Mu Yuan patted his son's hand, and the father and son left most of the East Palace. In fact, Emperor Mu Yuan had limited memories of the East Palace. Back then, his grandmother Cheng always wanted King Jingjiang to live in. His father and his aunt had no objections. After having him, his father and aunt did not agree to life or death, his father hoped that he would grow up and asked him to come in and live, but he did not expect that when he grew up, his father died.

Such a peerless good father, the peerless good father has gone early.Therefore, under the influence of a peerless father, Emperor Mu Yuan also had the warmth of a peerless father to his children.He felt that he would treat his son the same way his father treated him back then.Although he has eight sons now, Emperor Mu Yuan is not too many.

After talking a lot of heartfelt words with the second prince, Emperor Mu Yuan said, "I treat the third, fourth, and fifth leniently, and treat you and your elder brother harshly. You don't blame me, do you?"

The second prince hurriedly said, "My son knows that Father is looking forward to his success."

Emperor Mu Yuan was relieved, "Jiangshan is not easy to sit on. You will know when you sit. You are a son, and my expectations of you have never been the same as other princes. As for your eldest brother, he is the eldest brother, and I treat him as well." A little harsher."

The second prince thought to himself, father, you should always be strict with your elder brother.But he said, "Brother always treats younger brothers well."

"Then I can rest assured." Emperor Mu Yuan said, "This East Palace, I sent the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to go to your place. You have discussed with them how to repair it. You don't have to live here in the future. It doesn't have to be what you want. .”

The second prince quickly responded.

As the sun sets, it dyes the evening clouds in the sky with layers of magnificent and gorgeous colors. With the warm wind in spring and summer, with a hint of the fragrance of grass and trees that gradually become quiet and quiet at dusk, Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "I have dinner with you." You go back to the house."

The second prince couldn't wish more, and the grand ceremony of enshrinement was just this year, the second prince only hated that he didn't have enough time to spend with his father, and was eager to increase his relationship with his father.Empress Dowager Hu heard that her son had left her second grandson to eat in the palace, so she ordered some dishes to be brought over happily.When meeting such a real old lady, Emperor Mu Yuan just smiled.

The relationship between Emperor Mu Yuan and the second prince's father and son is growing day by day. In fact, the second prince's quality is not bad. He has worked in the household department for several years, and he has done well. The second prince is cautious and considerate, he is familiar with the affairs of the household department, but other ministries and departments also have their own vision and views, and there are occasional immature parts, and the second prince can understand it with a little advice from Emperor Mu Yuan.

Emperor Mu Yuan was quite satisfied, he felt that his son was neither arrogant nor impetuous, so it was right to let his son practice in the household department first.

The Second Prince's Mansion is about to pack up and move. The other princes and concubines of the Prince's Mansion gathered together to discuss the gift for the Prince's Mansion. Everyone usually walks in the palace, so the East Palace's gift is easy to prepare Just don't surpass Emperor Mu Yuan and Queen Mother Hu.

The fifth prince said to his wife in private, "Second brother made a lot of money by moving."

Xie Moru took a red apricot the size of a child's fist from a celadon plate, squeezed it, broke it, and handed half to the fifth prince, and smiled, "The prince should live in the East Palace. However, I like to live outside the palace. I am willing to go wherever I want, if I want to stay in the palace, let alone others, it will not be as cheap as it is now for the second sister-in-law to go out."

The fifth prince took the red apricot, took a bite, it was glutinous and sweet, and said, "It's not just that the second sister-in-law is not cheap, I'm afraid the second brother can't leave the palace casually." Thinking about it, the fifth prince came to a conclusion and said, "Sure enough It’s better to live outside.” He just got tired of living in the palace, not to mention the inconvenience of getting in and out of the palace, even eating is not as good as going outside.Open a mansion by yourself, eat whatever you want, when you are in the palace, you only have to eat what the kitchen cooks.Naturally, the cooks dare not wrong the princes, but how can it be cheap to make their own decisions?However, Donggong is sure that he has a small kitchen, and he thinks that the second brother will not feel wronged by it.The fifth prince repeated again, "It's better to go outside!"

Xie Moru smiled slightly, and when the second prince moved into the palace, he would find out that not only it was cheaper to go outside the palace, but also to meet ministers and relatives, except for the officials of the East Palace, the rest of the courtiers did not just see each other.

The husband and wife discussed again about the congratulatory gift for the East Palace. The things in the prince's palace should not be repeated, and they should have their own characteristics, and they should not be thin.

It was May, and the fourth prince had just finished repairing the East Palace.

People from Qi Guogong's mansion reported the good news to the Fifth Prince's mansion, and Xie Moyou gave birth to a son in the morning.Xie Moru married into Qi Guogong's mansion, Xie and Qi's family are serious in-laws, Xie Moru is Xie Moyou's eldest sister, Xie Moyou gave birth safely, Qi Guogong's mansion naturally wants someone to go to the fifth prince's mansion to talk to Xie Moru.Xie Moru ordered the palace people to reward the person who sent the post, and said, "Tell your wife and third grandma for me, I'm afraid I won't be able to go to wash my third son, so congratulate them for me." Xie Moru's temper is naturally like this, she In times of adversity, she will not rely on others, but she will not be a saint if she is in a high position, so even if she is married, she is still indifferent to Xie Moyou.

Furthermore, Xie Moyou married the third son of Duke Qi's mansion. With Xie Moru's current status, even if Xie Moyou married the eldest son, it would not be impolite for her not to go to the third baptism of the grandchildren of Duke Qi's mansion.

Sent away the servants of Duke Qi's mansion.

When Xie Moyou's eldest son had a third baptism, Xie Moru sent a gift for the third baptism.

After the three baptisms, Mrs. Xie came to the Fifth Prince's Mansion to talk, and told Xie Moru a little about the three baptisms in Qi Guogong's mansion. Using this as an excuse, she asked vaguely if there was any movement in Xie Moru's body. They have been married for two years, Xie Moru Worry's son is born, Xie Moru is still calm here.Mrs. Xie herself was anxious for Xie Moru, and Xie Moru dismissed the maid beside her, Fang said, "Let me discuss it with His Highness, I have never had one, and if I think about it, I should give His Highness a few side concubines to benefit the heirs."

Mrs. Xie said in a low voice, "You might as well choose a few sensible girls first." Some of the girls who were married to Xie Moru back then had served Xie Moru since childhood. To be honest, their looks were not bad.It's the same when Ling Yatou is born and brought to Xie Moru to raise her.

Xie Moru said, "The eldest son of the concubine is very important. If the mother of the eldest son of the concubine is too humble, it is not decent. What's more, when the queen mother wanted to give the palace man, I said, if it is an upright concubine. I have something to say first, how can I let the girl go?" Serve Your Highness."

Xie Moru has always had his own ideas, but Mrs. Xie was worried, and said, "The side concubine has a rank at the beginning, you have to think carefully, let alone the mother of the eldest son. I am afraid that if you look good for a while, your heart will grow stronger in the future , It’s not good again.” Because it was the private conversation of grandparents and grandchildren, and there were no palace people around, Mrs. Xie simply opened the conversation and said, “Don’t talk about others, the truth is that children are more valuable than mothers, and mothers are more valuable than sons. , It’s vulgar to say, but the truth in the world is roughly the same, and you should remember it clearly.” Mrs. Xie is not worried now, with Xie Moru’s ability, even without parents and children, she can have a comfortable life for 20 years. ?Everyone is old.Xie Moru belonged to her natal family and had only concubine brothers. Moreover, even if Xie Zhi and the others were capable, Xie Moru was in the royal family. In the future, Xie's family would be powerless to help.If I don't have my own children, I'm afraid that the future will be difficult after the prosperity.

Mrs. Xie tactfully asked Xie Moru if he wanted to seek medical treatment from a doctor, Xie Moru waved his hand, there was no one around the fifth prince, and the husband and wife were very harmonious, but there was no movement, it can only be said that the fate has not yet arrived.Before Mrs. Xie left, she told Xie Moru repeatedly, "I'm afraid I won't be able to see what will happen to you in the future, but I always think that none of my descendants can match you. Those who are able work hard for those who are wise. When things happen, you still have to worry about it." Think about yourself more."

Xie Moru said, "Don't worry, grandma, I know."

Xie Moru thought about it for a while, she was born in a prominent family, so naturally she would not be unfamiliar with Ji concubines. Since she married the fifth prince, the fifth prince has no other concubines around him, and she has not offered to give it to her. The fifth prince Zhang Luo.It's just that if she has never had any children, it's not easy for the fifth prince to have no heirs.Xie Moru thought about it, and discussed it with the Fifth Prince first.

Taking advantage of Xie Moyou's son's three baptisms, the two talked about it over dinner, Xie Moru sighed, "Grandmother came today and asked me if my stomach was moving."

"Hey, the old lady is very concerned about this matter? Why are you so anxious? We haven't been married for long, and it will happen naturally when the fate comes." The fifth prince is very optimistic, and there is no sadness on his face.This is also normal, if the fifth prince is really worried about his heirs, and the two get along day and night, with Xie Moru's sensitivity, Xie Moru will not fail to see it.

Even in a noble family, a man who has been married for two years and has no heirs is also a worrying thing.Not to mention the royal family, Concubine Su has always treated her very well, and never asked about her heirs, and the fifth prince is like this, Xie Moru couldn't help but hold the fifth prince's hand and said, "I know you are good to me, I want to Let's discuss it with the concubine mother, the concubine mother is not in good health, wouldn't it make her worry about this matter. The better you treat me, the more I feel that you have no heirs to be sorry for you." She sighed softly , "There are also people who persuade me to let the maidservant serve you, but I thought, although we are for the sake of the heir, even if it is for the heir, we have to think about the son. If we think about the son, how can we make the son feel unreasonable?" Actually, it doesn’t mean that everything is good if you are born well, but, according to our identities, if we want to choose someone with good background and good character, I’m afraid we can find one. Second, I don’t choose one based on status. Looking at people, it's just for you, I always feel that I can't wrong you."

Although the fifth prince is happy, he is not stupid at all. He was born in the royal family and has seen a lot.In a wealthy family, in order to pass on the family line, it is not uncommon for the son to leave the mother. If the son can leave the mother, one can imagine the status of the biological mother.If Xie Moru was looking for his own self-interest, it would be most beneficial for him to keep his son and leave his mother.Xie Moru wanted to arrange for a woman from a good family who was knowledgeable in books and etiquette, so it can be seen that he was really wholeheartedly for him.The fifth prince couldn't help but said, "You don't want to wrong me, so do I want to wrong you?"

"With your words, I will not be wronged."

The fifth prince finally said, "We are still young, this is not something to be rushed at all, don't worry about it..." As he spoke, the third prince lost his mind and said with a smile, "Alas Ah, when I named you back then, I really shouldn't have called you Mo Ru, but Mo Ji."

Xie Moru smiled, "You're making fun of me again."

"Have fun with you." The fifth prince said solemnly, "I always thought that my reincarnation is a bit accurate. I was born in the royal family. I don't have to worry about eating and drinking. I also have honor. If I marry you, we can also talk about it." Come on, this is God's kindness. In this life, everything doesn't have to be perfect. Let's live a good life. If there is another person, I will go to her. I have to think about you alone in this room. Here you have to think again, she is also the daughter of a good family, and I don’t feel sorry for her. Let’s just live in peace and life, don’t think about it, aren’t we happy now? If we are happy, why should we think about it? Those who are not happy, it is better to let nature take its course."

Xie Moru always thought about things long-term, said, "Right now, the eyes of the Palace of Mercy are all focused on the affairs of the East Palace. When the East Palace is registered, many people will be overwhelmed. Even if the Palace of Mercy can't remember it, someone has to remind her. What's more, Your Majesty will not see you have no children. If you want to rely on me, how can I push you to other women. But, instead of letting others arrange, it's better if we do it first, and we can choose someone who suits you Sincerely."

The fifth prince said in a deep voice, "You don't need to pay attention to the Palace of Mercy and Father, I am a big man, the Lord can still do this."

There was a flash of light in Xie Moru's eyes, and the Fifth Prince thought it was tears, but Xie Moru didn't shed tears, that stream of light disappeared from the end of her eyes, as if it had never existed.

(End of this chapter)