A Thousand Hills

Chapter 356

What kind of place is Jingxinan?
It is estimated that most people have heard of it but have never seen it. In fact, even if they have never seen it, they must at least be someone with a certain status in the elite circle of the imperial capital.What if a random person on the street asked him where the Jingxin Nunnery was?It is estimated that most of them only know the most popular Xishan Temple.

It is Crown Princess Xie, who only knew about this place when Emperor Mu Yuan put Princess Yongfu in Jingxin Nunnery to grind her temper when she was young.

It's been many years, but I haven't been there.

Xie Moru has never believed in gods and Buddhas. She went to Xishan Temple to talk about knowledge with Master Wenxiu, or to find Master Wenxiu for something. If she wanted to worship Buddha, she never worshiped him once.Therefore, Xie Moru would not go to places like Jingxin Nunnery.Especially before, I don't know how many people expected her to enter the Jingxin Nunnery and give up the position of Crown Princess!
Therefore, Xie Moru also asked Jiang Xingyun to handle the affairs of Fang Wei, Mrs. Marquis of Beichang.

Although Jiang Xingyun and Xie Moru are good friends, their personalities are completely different.

Xie Moru has always acted aboveboard, even if she wants to kill someone's household registration book, she will do things in a reasonable and reasonable way, so that you can die well and die with peace of mind.Jiang Xingyun is not, if she wants to kill anyone, one knife is enough.

Therefore, Jiang Xingyun has nothing against Jingxin Nunnery.She has never been to this place, and she has long wanted to see it.

Especially, as the intelligence collector beside Xie Moru, there is such a place in the imperial capital that she has never been to.

After Jiang Xingyun had breakfast, he got into the carriage prepared by the mansion and went to Jingxin Nunnery.

It's no wonder that the emperor and the people are not very familiar with Jingxin Nunnery. The location of Jingxin Nunnery is not accessible to ordinary people.

Jingxin Nunnery was built in the outskirts of Huangzhuang, neither facing mountains nor relying on water. In fact, if it weren't for the three characters Jingxin Temple written on the door, this place, Jiang Xingyun said, would be more like a courtyard under the shade of pines and cypresses .

There were guards guarding the door, Jiang Xingyun took out the token of the East Palace, and the guards respectfully invited Jiang Xingyun in.

Summer flowers are in full bloom outside the nunnery, but the inside of the nunnery is full of green pines and cypresses, solemn and solemn.As soon as you enter the gate of Jingxin Nunnery, you will feel a sense of coolness. Jiang Xingyun feels that it probably has something to do with the Fengshui structure of Jingxin Nunnery. Of course, it is also related to the luxuriant trees in the nunnery.

The abbot of the nunnery is an old nun about five or sixty years old in a khaki gauze robe, whose Dharma name is Master Bianjingxin.Hearing that Jiang Xingyun came to see Mrs. Beichang Hou, Mrs. Jingxin took Jiang Xingyun there immediately.

Jiang Xingyun had met the Marquis of Beichang, no matter who else he was, the Marquis of Beichang's appearance alone was a first-class good-looking among the middle-aged and elderly dignitaries.Beichanghou is almost sixty now, but because of his good background, he looks like he is in his forties now.

Compared with the days when the Beichanghou was in the imperial court and the emperor's confidant, the wife of the Beichanghou was imprisoned in the meditation nunnery for decades. Therefore, Jiang Xingyun maintained a certain amount of imagination for the wife of the Beichanghou.She felt that even if she saw a woman who looked like Grandma Beichanghou and insisted that she was Mrs. Beichanghou, she would understand.After all, this Jingxin Nunnery is not a good place to stay.

As a result, Jiang Xingyun couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Mrs. Beichanghou for the first time.

At first, many people said that there was a problem with the lineage of Princess Xie's mother's family, and that there were signs of rebellion from Princess Xie's mother's family. Jiang Xingyun felt that it was completely nonsense.But now, Jiang Xingyun believes that there is still some inheritance in human blood.

It's not that Mrs. Marquis of Beichang and Princess Xie have any similarities. They have no similarities in appearance, but there is an indescribable similarity in their dignified temperament and prudent demeanor.Moreover, don't think that living in Jingxin nunnery is all about living, Jiang Xingyun first thought that Beichanghou's maintenance was good, but only after seeing Beichanghou's wife did he know that there are people outside people, and mountains outside mountains.Although Beichang Hou has taken good care of himself, in front of Beichang Hou's wife, there are still some deficiencies, and he looks old.Look at Beichanghou, he doesn't look like Mrs. Beichanghou's great-grandfather, but to say that Beichanghou is her uncle, in terms of appearance, it is completely justified.

It was Jiang Xingyun, who was outstanding in terms of appearance, but in terms of maintenance, at the age of Mrs. Beichanghou, Jiang Xingyun thought that he might not be able to surpass this woman in maintenance.

Mrs. Beichanghou was dressed in a jade-blue Taoist nun's attire. She was watering the flowers in the courtyard with a water ladle made of half a gourd. The hand holding the water ladle was whiter than the finest mutton fat jade.Seeing the people coming from the courtyard, Mrs. Beichanghou just glanced at it lightly, and handed the water ladle to the little Taoist nun next to her to continue watering. She straightened up and looked at Jiang Xingyun intently.

Mrs. Beichanghou asked, "What's the matter?"

Jiang Xingyun never loses in momentum, he stepped forward and said, "By order of the Crown Princess, I'm here to ask my wife a few things."

Mrs. Beichanghou took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiped her wet fingertips, and asked casually, "Crown Princess? Who is the Crown Princess?" After thinking about it, Mrs. Beichanghou added, "Now Who is the crown prince? The prince born to Empress Hu?"

Having lived in Jingxin Nunnery for a long time, Mrs. Beichang Hou didn't know much about the outside world, but her expression and posture did not show the slightest discomfort of being out of touch with the court situation.She just asked openly, who is the prince?Which is the princess?
Jiang Xingyun said, "The prince is the fifth prince, born before Queen Su."

Mrs. Beichang Hou was a little surprised, and asked, "What about the second prince born by Empress Hu?"

Jiang Xingyun said, "Mourning the crown prince has passed away."

Mrs. Beichang Hou's face immediately looked happy. Although she didn't know how the mourning prince died, her background knowledge was comparable to that of ordinary people. The word mourning the prince was enough for her to see many secrets.Mrs. Beichang Hou did not hide her joy, pointed at an ancient pine tree with rattan tables and chairs, and said with a smile, "Then we can sit down and talk."

Jiang Xingyun went to sit down, Mrs. Beichanghou glanced at Master Jingxin, and asked, "Does Master want to listen?"

Master Jingxin looked at Jiang Xingyun, and Jiang Xingyun said, "It's fine for the master to do whatever he wants."

The meditation master then left.

Mrs. Beichang Hou poured two cups of tea and said, "I have been under house arrest for many years, and I don't know about the imperial capital. Fifth Prince? Empress Su? Is it Xiao Su who used to live in Fusheng Mansion?"

Jiang Xingyun didn't speak, Madam Beichanghou knew this was the case. Thinking that Empress Su had passed away, Madam Beichanghou couldn't help but feel a little sad, and asked, "Who is the Crown Princess?"

Jiang Xingyun said, "The daughter of Mrs. Wei before."

Mrs. Beichanghou's eyes hurt for a moment. Her pupils were extremely black. The pain caused her pupils to shrink slightly, and shallow vertical lines appeared between her brows. But it was only for a moment, and Mrs. Beichanghou regained her composure. , She said, "At the beginning, I advised Fusheng, apart from Fang's family, can you protect yourself? Look, don't talk about yourself, she can't even protect her children."

Jiang Xingyun said indifferently, "Princess Zongfusheng doesn't get rid of the Fang family, so can the Fang family sit back and watch her take power?"

Mrs. Beichang Hou said, "The Fang family will support her to continue assisting the government."

After many years, Mrs. Beichang Hou mentioned the old family affairs, and the resentment still lingered.Jiang Xingyun was unmoved, and said, "Back then, madam might not be able to be the master of the Fang family."

Mrs. Beichanghou was not annoyed, but just smiled, "It can be seen that there are talents from Jiangshan. The girl came here, I don't know why?"

"Picture of Green Pines and Bright Moon."

Mrs. Beichang Hou looked up at Jiang Xingyun and said, "Tell me about the prince and princess."

"What does madam want to know?"

"Everyone outside knows something about the prince and concubine." Mrs. Beichanghou didn't want to inquire about any secrets, she believed that ordinary things were enough to detect a person's character.

Jiang Xingyun roughly said that it was nothing more than the marriage bestowed by Emperor Mu Yuan, the virtuous and good reputation of the crown prince over the years, the achievements of the crown prince in the country over the years, and the canonization of the two.Mrs. Beichang Hou sneered, "Mu Yuan is still so forward-looking in his actions. Since he meant marriage at the beginning, the crown prince was established, but the crown prince was put aside to dry. If the crown prince is not pleasing to the eye, he can either close it or kill her." Now, isn’t it quiet! Since you can’t do anything, why delay the canonization of the princess for a year? It’s better to be a good person at the beginning, and it’s better than procrastinating and not occupying both ends!”

Hearing Mrs. Beichang Hou's words, Jiang Xingyun suddenly felt a bosom friend. How many times did Jiang Xingyun think about similar words.But because she still has to eat and drink in the court, so she didn't say the product.

Mrs. Beichanghou said, "I know about the Qingsong Mingyue painting, but I can't tell you. I want to tell the princess."

Jiang Xingyun's sense of bosom friend just now turned into a "cut", but she was always calm, and said lightly, "If that's the case, I'll take my leave first."

Mrs. Beichang Hou didn't keep her any longer, but said, "Your appearance is not as good as your father's."

It was the first time for Jiang Xingyun to criticize his appearance face to face, and smiled, "Why, madam has seen my father too?"

"Back then, I wanted to find a handsome man to marry, but unexpectedly your father had already married a wife, so I chose Beichang as the second best."

This way of choosing a husband is more domineering than a princess, Jiang Xingyun thought, she knows how the Fang family destroyed their family!

In fact, Jiang Xingyun is not a good tempered person, if she asks Jiang Beiling what's the matter, Jiang Beiling will tell the news in a timely manner.It's not that Jiang Xingyun has never met Mrs. Beichanghou who dared to negotiate conditions with her.Moreover, generally this kind of person will not end well when they meet Jiang Xingyun.However, Mrs. Beichang Hou was an exception. This woman had been imprisoned in the Jingxin Nunnery for many years. If she could use means to force her, Emperor Mu Yuan probably would have used it long ago.But this woman is still alive and well, Emperor Mu Yuan has not been able to do anything to her these years, Jiang Xingyun does not want to rashly fight with this person.

However, we still need to be cautious about Mrs. Beichang Hou's meeting with the Crown Princess.

Jiang Xingyun went directly to the East Palace to talk to the Crown Princess, and thanked the Crown Princess, "I will discuss this matter with His Highness."

When Crown Princess Xie talked about the matter with the prince, the prince said, "What a shocking secret, I will tell you only after seeing you. If she wanted to, she would have said it long ago."

"Although I also want to know about the picture of Qingsong Mingyue, I don't like this kind of person who negotiates terms with me with secrets, so let's just forget it." Crown Princess Xie was also a little bit discouraged.

The prince was a little curious again, "Didn't you really want to investigate this matter at the beginning? Why didn't you want to investigate it after one step?"

Xie Moru said, "It's fine if Mrs. Beichanghou's life is a mess. I heard from Xingyun that she had a good life in Jingxin Nunnery. Think about it, a person like her can live well under house arrest. It can be seen that in her hands Her Majesty will only allow her to hold a big secret. I am not interested in such a secret that can save my life, and it will save Your Majesty from worrying."

The prince thought for a while, but didn't persuade his wife any more, and said, "It's better not to ask."

The prince originally thought that the matter would just be let go.

The prince is not in a hurry to know the secret of the Qingsong Mingyue Picture, anyway, the secret is not about him.As for the others, even though he is already in the Eastern Palace, the Eastern Palace is not a safe place. The crown prince has been the crown prince for 20 years, so he has fallen from the throne of the Eastern Palace.Although the prince has always been close to his father, he has always acted prudently, and he does not want to take risks on this, so he simply stopped mentioning it.

On the contrary, something happened in Concubine Zhao's palace, which was really disappointing.

This matter has to start with the canonization of Princess Heshun.Adhering to the truth of making the best use of everything, Emperor Mu Yuan chose a girl from the family members of the offending official Ning's family and named her a princess, intending to use it for marriage.You know, getting married is not simply a matter of picking a girl.The girl is picked out, and etiquette has to be taught.Emperor Mu Yuan handed over the teaching of etiquette to Concubine Zhao, not for anyone else, Princess Herou was taught by Concubine Zhao before.Concubine Zhao Gui has experience and is the concubine in charge of the palace, so this matter is also handed over to Concubine Zhao.

Concubine Zhao didn't refuse, it's okay for her to do such a thing.

Concubine Zhao Gui is a sophisticated person, and it is even a trivial matter to train a concubine princess.After Princess Heshun learned the rules, Concubine Zhao Guifei took Princess Heshun to the Palace of Mercy to pay her respects, and also for the concubine to show to the Queen Mother, she managed to bring him out.

Zhao Guifei's thinking is correct. Emperor Mu Yuan entrusted him to her, and she taught him well, so she came out to show everyone, which is what she should have meant.What's more, Princess Heshun made the marriage in the name of the princess after all.

This is not a coincidence, because since Xie Moru was officially canonized, he must go to the Palace of Mercy every day to pay his respects.In the past, Empress Dowager Hu would not let her in, but now that Xie Moru was officially canonized, it would be impossible for Empress Dowager Hu not to let her in.

Therefore, the Queen Mother Hu did not like to thank Mo Ru, and she would hold her nose and thank Mo Ru every day when she came to her palace to pay her respects.

Xie Moru went early, and Concubine Zhao Guifei didn't go too late. Seeing Princess Heshun, everyone couldn't help saying a few words.How Xie Mo waited for someone, she was able to make Princess Heshun look ashamed when she was ten years old, seeing Princess Heshun, seeing her low-browed and pleasing appearance, Xie Moru would not care about it like a little girl.

However, a dramatic scene still happened.

It didn't happen in the Charity Palace, but the Empress Dowager Hu said she was tired and sent everyone to rest.Xie Moru also resigned with all the concubines, Princess Heshun was still following Concubine Zhao, she saw that Xie Moru was going to leave, she said she had something to say to Xie Moru, Xie Moru had a rare good temper, and looked straight at Princess Heshun.Princess Heshun held up the delicate skirt, and lightly approached Xie Moru, and then, showing a pair of resentful eyes in front of Xie Moru, said softly, "I will never forget the great kindness you have done to the Ning family!"

Xie Moru said indifferently, "The Ning family? Who is the Ning family?"

If Xie Moru showed coldness and hatred, Princess Heshun probably wouldn't react so strongly.Xie Mo was so calm and breezy, with an appearance that he didn't remember the Ning family at all, Princess Heshun suddenly felt more hatred, and said through gritted teeth, "Your Majesty probably killed too many people, so I don't remember it!"

Xie Moru ignored Princess Heshun at all, looked at Concubine Zhao, the eyes of Concubine Zhao knew something was wrong when she met the Crown Princess, she hurried over, and said with a smile, "What did He Shun talk to the Crown Princess for so long?"

Princess Heshun immediately looked virtuous and gentle, Xie Moru smiled, "Princess Heshun said, I have a great favor to the Ning family, and I will never forget it in my life. The imperial concubine also knows that there are many trivial matters in the East Palace, and our relatives can't see each other every day." Yes, I don't know what the Ning family is. I said I don't know, and Princess Heshun said, I probably killed too many people, so I don't remember."

Xie Moru smiled, "I'm not the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, and I'm not a executioner. How can I know about murder? I really don't know what's going on with the Ning family. The imperial concubine knows it. If you know, you might as well remind me."

Concubine Xie Guifei's complexion changed drastically, she looked at Princess Heshun coldly.Princess Heshun knelt on the ground with a pale face, and cried, "Where did I say those words, it's all right if the Crown Princess doesn't like me, how can you insult me ​​for nothing with such a noble status!"

Xie Moru's smile deepened, "I've seen a few royal sisters, but I've never seen Princess Heshun like this. It's really unlucky to cry when nothing happens." After speaking, he lifted his foot and left.

Before Xie Moru mentioned this matter to the prince, Princess Changtai heard the letter and rushed to the East Palace. Xie Moru and Princess Changtai had always been on good terms, so when she saw her coming, he smiled and said, "I didn't see you at the empress dowager's place this morning. When I came to Huang Jie, I thought you had something to do and would not come today."

Princess Changtai smiled, "Our Dalang's daughter-in-law was not feeling well in the morning, so she was examined by the imperial doctor, and she turned out to be pregnant. Because she is busy with her work, it is a bit late to enter the palace today."

Xie Moru congratulated Princess Changtai again, and smiled, "Dalang's wedding is over, and Erlang's marriage is coming soon, right?"

"Dalang, I don't have anything to worry about. It's Erlang. I don't know what kind of personality I have. I told him about marriage, but he put on a face of lovelessness and insisted that he would get married after passing the Jinshi exam. Hey, I It’s really frustrating.” Princess Changtai said, “I’m telling the truth, a son is really not as caring as a daughter.”

Xie Moru smiled, "A son has the benefits of a son, and a daughter has the benefits of a daughter. Erlang has his own ambitions, so there is no need to force him. The children of our family are not afraid that they will not be able to marry a wife anyway. Look at Ping Yuanhou, first the aunt is anxious. What is it like, and what happened afterwards."

Princess Changtai laughed, "If Erlang can have half the ability of Marquis Pingyuan, I will wake up laughing from my dreams."

"Then I'll wait until Miss Huang wakes up laughing."

The two chatted and laughed, and Princess Changtai said, "I went to pay my respects to the emperor's grandmother today, and I heard what Emperor Yongfu said about Princess Heshun. Hey, there are such people who don't know what is good or bad in this world. Don't be angry because of this." it is good."

"Don't worry, Miss Huang, I will never get angry with such people again."

Princess Changtai said, "I have something to discuss with you, but I don't know if it will work or not?"

Xie Moru didn't agree, but said, "Sister Huang, tell me, if I can help, I will definitely help."

"Hey, if it wasn't for Princess Heshun, I wouldn't open my mouth again." Princess Changtai said, "Let me tell you the truth, you are in the palace now, and I am afraid you don't know what's going on outside. The case of the Ning family was originally last year. In winter, the second wife of his family was also taken to the Criminal Department of the Imperial Capital. It stands to reason that he would be executed in autumn and winter. If the sentence was pronounced in winter last year, the case would be closed. The case of the Ning family has been delayed for more than a year because of the busy work. The court always kills people in autumn and winter. Even after the new year, the sentence of beheading is also sentenced, but the execution will not be carried out until this autumn. This is also the luck of the Ning family. Since the father chose his family's female family members to marry, this may be a turning point. I will not mention this matter again. However, knowing that Princess Heshun is so ignorant today, what good will it do for my court to have such a person get married Woolen cloth?"

Princess Changtai said, "If you want me to say, since she has resentment in her heart, she is not the one to choose with her relatives. Your Majesty also knows that the case of Li Zhongnan, Governor of Central Shu, and Madam Zhao Chongyi's natal brothers was also filed last year. Li Zhongnan did it." He has been an official for a lifetime, and he is also a faint-hearted man, calling a concubine to ruin his reputation outside. Now it has been found out that the matter of lying to people's daughters has nothing to do with Governor Li. But he is not strict in teaching his son! These The important affairs of the court are not related to us, and I am just chatting with the empress."

"Your Majesty also knows that my mother was born in Duke Chu's mansion, and Li Zhongnan's wife is said to be my mother's concubine's niece. Mrs. Chu Guogong told me several times, and I also told her that there is nothing I can do about the lawsuit from the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Since the family has committed a crime, this is also retribution. Just a few days ago, I heard about the marriage of Princess Heshun. The Li family also had a daughter who was willing to be loyal to the court. But at that time, the father had already chosen the daughter of the Ning family. I can let it go. But today I know about Princess Heshun, I always feel that this is not a proper person, not for my own selfishness, but for the court, I would rather marry a sensible past than send such a careless person , What about the past when she only knew how to be smart? She didn’t know how to be grateful, so she just went back and forth.” Not to mention Princess Changtai’s own selfishness, as far as Princess Changtai’s heart is concerned, this Princess Heshun is also out of tune.Do you think the marriage is the court begging you or what?If it weren't for this opportunity, you would still be eating in prison!
If you want Princess Changtai to say, this is not knowing what is good or bad!

Xie Moru generally knew what Princess Changtai said, and she even knew who was the one who had a relationship with the Ning family and dragged the case over the New Year.Speaking of which, they are not outsiders, they are the relatives-in-law of Ning's family, Jin Ning Bo Wang's family.

Xie Moru smiled, "The matter of Princess Heshun, I think it came from the concubine Zhao and Her Majesty who reported it. Just like the princess said, even if you follow me, I would like to see a sensible person get married. Don't say anything else, a sensible person will explain. Vernacular. Ever since I became the crown princess, this is the first time someone threatened me in front of me, but it scared me to death."

Princess Changtai held back her laughter, threatening the princess and the like, thanks to Princess Heshun who figured it out.Princess Changtai saw that the Crown Princess didn't mind that Li's daughter replaced Ning's daughter, she was very happy, and said with a smile, "You don't know, Sister Yongfu told me in private that this Princess Heshun is not clear-headed."

Thinking of Princess Yongfu's previous temper, Xie Moru couldn't help laughing.

Princess Heshun is really not as important as she imagined. She thought that if the court wants to use her as a marriage partner and canonize her as a princess, then no matter what, the court will keep her safe, treat her well, pardon her family, and buy her off.

Xie Moru doesn't know He Shungong's many brain holes, if he knew, Xie Moru would probably comment: It really deserves to be of the Ning family's direct lineage, and it is as stupid as Aunt Ning!

If it were her, the Crown Princess would not need to do anything. Many people know about today's events, and Concubine Zhao did not report anything different to Emperor Mu Yuan.Emperor Mu Yuan treated this kind of thing very simply, if it doesn't work, just don't use it.He has plenty of people available, Emperor Mu Yuan is worthy of Princess Changtai's father, said, "Since she doesn't want to, she can go back and forth wherever she wants." In a word, Princess Heshun was stripped of her princess clothes and sent back to the prison of the Ministry of Justice.

Princess Changtai took the route of the East Palace, so the crown prince mentioned Li's daughter, and the crown prince also said, "Why don't you meet someone first, if you are sensible, then make adjustments."

Emperor Mu Yuan said, "You don't need to be so troublesome. Choose a few more and let the secretary of internal affairs teach you the rules. Use whichever one you learn well." There are many daughters of prisoners. It was the first time I saw someone who dared to threaten the princess.Although Emperor Mu Yuan didn't like Xie Moru, Xie Moru was the crown prince and concubine after all, how could he be offended by the daughter of a criminal official!
The prince accepted the order.

Emperor Mu Yuan said again, "At first, your daughter-in-law insisted on going to Jingxin Nunnery to investigate the Qingsong Mingyue Picture. How did the investigation go?"

The crown prince said, "North...no, Miao An only said it when she saw the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess said that she doesn't like people to negotiate terms with her, so she doesn't mind going." Miao An is the dharma name of Mrs. Beichanghou.

Emperor Mu Yuan was more urgent than the prince and his wife, and said, "Since that's the case, how about seeing her? I have already arranged for Jingxin Nunnery, and there is no danger."

The prince could only say, "The son will go back and talk to the princess."

The crown prince made sound transmission tubes for his father and his wife, and Xie Moru was not surprised when he heard Emperor Mu Yuan's arrangement, but said calmly, "Since His Majesty wants me to go, I have to go."

The prince said, "Don't worry, I will go with you when the time comes."

A smile appeared in Princess Xie's eyes, "Okay."

Knowing that Emperor Mu Yuan cared so much about the secret of the Qingsong Mingyue Picture, Xie Moru felt more at ease.

(End of this chapter)