The Splendid Medical Concubine: The Journey of a Concubine

Chapter 432 Extra 23 Xinyue

For most of the courtiers, this night was a sleepless night of tossing and turning. As soon as the morning of the next day started, the atmosphere in the Jinluan Palace was a bit strange.

The Minister of Punishment was wondering whether he should bring up the matter of the joint trial of the three divisions, when he heard Gu Jue's cold and calm voice coming from the front: "King Nanyang just returned to the capital from Hao Kingdom last night, Hao Emperor Wu Hadu Luo has agreed to cede Shuzhou to Daqi."

Gu Jue's words shocked the entire court into silence.

“…”

“…”

“…”

When King Nanyang went to Hao Kingdom, he actually took over a state of Hao Country without any blood? !

All the ministers were shocked and speechless for a long time.

It was quiet for a while in Jinluan Hall.

After a moment, a middle-aged official with a goatee walked out from the queue of civil servants, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, since Emperor Hao ceded territory to show his kindness to me, Da Qi, he should have the intention to make friends with Da Qi. Should I, Da Qi, Taking advantage of the situation to form an alliance with Emperor Hao?"

Several officials nodded slightly, thinking that what he said was reasonable.

An alliance between the two countries is a good thing. Even if it can exchange for a few years of peace, it is worth it.

Some people shook their heads, feeling that the second prince of Hao Kingdom had almost led a pack of wolves to hurt the new emperor before. This must be Emperor Hao's intention, and he decided that Emperor Hao had no good intentions towards Da Qi and should not be friends with him.

More courtiers were noncommittal, guessing that the new emperor should have had his own opinion.

Everyone was waiting for Gu Jue's decision.

"It's time for Qi and Hao to form an alliance." Gu Jue looked around at the ministers and said bluntly, "I have formed an alliance with Wuhejialou. Da Qi will help Wuhejialou regain the throne of Hao Kingdom."

"After Uhagalou succeeds to the throne, the two countries will sign a peace treaty, open up trade, and enhance cultural exchanges. Both countries will set up embassies in their capitals, with envoys from both countries stationed in the embassy..."

Gu Jue roughly talked about some of his and Uhagalou's plans for the future of the two countries. As for the specific details, they would have to wait until Uhagalou was restored and then be worked out through consultation between the two countries.

This was also the first time that Gu Jue announced his alliance with Uhagalou in court.

The civil and military officials in the court were startled again, and couldn't help but burst into an uproar again, whispering to each other in twos and threes.

After all, the person sitting on the throne of Hao Kingdom now is Wuhaduluo, not Wuhajialou, the eldest son of the first emperor of Hao Kingdom.

Most people couldn't understand why Gu Jue chose to cooperate with Wuhe Jialou.

But some people also thought that the late emperor Gu Lang had suspected whether Gu Jue and Wuhejialou were secretly colluding together. It seemed that the late emperor most likely did not unjustly accuse Gu Jue. Gu Jue and Wu He Jia Lou should have reached their willingness to cooperate when the late emperor asked Gu Jue to send Wu He Jia Lou back to Nanhao last year. Judging from Gu Jue's behavior, he probably had his own reasons for choosing Wuhejia Tower.

No matter what they thought in their hearts, the courtiers present did not dare to question Gu Jue. In just over three months, they had gradually adapted to Gu Jue's decisive style of killing.

Thirty percent of the generals in the court have been beaten, and soon the civil servants will also embark on the same path. At this time, who is looking for the new emperor? Isn't this the way to put his neck on the new emperor's knife edge? !

Several officials became more and more uneasy as they thought about it, especially those who had ghosts in their hearts and were in a trance. They had been awake almost all night last night, and now there were deep blue shadows in their eye sockets.

Since they didn't speak, Gu Jue took it as if they agreed, and then moved on to the next topic: "I leaked questions twice in this exam. The fraud case must be thoroughly investigated. I have handed over the case to the third division to preside over the trial."

Representatives from the Ministry of Punishment, the Minister of Dali Temple, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate immediately came out and expressed that they would live up to their trust.

Gu Jue continued: "The examination is a major event for the country. There cannot be any omissions. Let the Ministry of Rites re-examine and fill the gaps and standardize the examination process. There must be no more leaks."

Gu Jue also knew that no matter how standardized the process of setting test questions was, there would still be the possibility of leaking the questions. What he hoped the Ministry of Rites would do was to continuously reduce this possibility. It would be best if the question could be leaked after it was discovered. Can quickly locate the source of leaks.

Yang Xuanshan, the Minister of Rites, also came out and responded respectfully: "I obey the order."

There was cold sweat on his forehead. This was a troublesome chore. It was foreseeable that he would visit the house three times in the next few days without returning.

He thought that this matter was already troublesome enough, but he didn't want Gu Jue to finish what he said: "Also, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Etiquette will discuss improving the Gongyuan examination room before the re-examination."

What? ! Yang Xuanshan's jaw dropped in shock.

This Gongyuan examination room has been like this for thousands of years. At most, there is a slight deviation in the size of the dormitory, but other aspects are similar. The new emperor really wants to make changes. How does he want to change it? !

Gu Jue didn't seem to notice Yang Xuanshan's difficulties and put forward a few suggestions for improvement:

For example, the dormitory in Gongyuan is too small, only three feet wide. Two dormitories are changed into one so that candidates will not be unable to sleep at night;

For example, improving the clean rooms in Gongyuan;

For example, three meals a day are provided by the Gongyuan, especially because the provincial examination is usually held in August, and it is very hot in August. The candidates use the fire to cook, which inevitably makes the examination alley even more stuffy and the candidates are prone to illness;

Another example is allowing candidates to submit papers in advance, etc.

"..." Yang Xuanshan frowned even more tightly, always feeling that something was not good.

Since the founding of the Qi Dynasty, there have been three rural examinations and general examinations, each lasting three days, adding up to nine days and six nights. Gongyuan has always had such conditions, and it also means testing the candidates.

According to Xintei's suggestion, the environment of the examination room would be too comfortable, and it would seem to provide for the candidates.

Gu Jue said: "Yang Xuanshan, your Rites Department will draft a charter within three days."

What Gu Jue meant was that in addition to the suggestions he made, let Yang Xuanshan and other officials from the Ministry of Rites also make some appropriate suggestions.

As a result, Yang Xuanshan couldn't even say the word "no", and his head became even bigger.

The sun was rising, and the morning court was in full swing. The courtiers had different thoughts, and most of them were thinking about how much trouble this fraud case would cause in the court.

On the other side, Shen Qianchen left the palace in plain clothes and took a carriage to Shen's residence.

As soon as she entered the gate of Shen's house and got off the carriage, she saw Shen Qianhuang, who was wearing a green lotus-colored skirt, coming after hearing the news, with a gentle smile on her lips.

Next to her is a little puppy that looks like a white dumpling. The puppy is growing very fast. It is a lot bigger than the last time we saw it, and its temper is also more lively. It is wagging its tail crazily and saying "woof" The ground screamed non-stop.

The sisters have gradually become closer recently after their last frank conversation.

"How is mother?" Shen Qianchen took Shen Qianhuang's arm and asked in a low voice, blinking.

The meaning of these five words was unclear, but Shen Qianhuang knew as soon as she heard it that Shen Qianchen was asking Shen Zhi if she agreed to Pei Linye's marriage proposal.

However, Shen Qianhuang shook his head: "Not yet."

"Then I'll wait a little longer." Shen Qianchen sighed.

Shen Qianhuang: "..."

Shen Qianhuang blinked in confusion, feeling that there seemed to be something in Shen Qianchen's words.

The two sisters walked hand in hand towards the main room.

The little puppy continued to play around the two of them, sometimes chasing the flying flowers and fallen leaves in the courtyard, and sometimes circling wildly around the two sisters, as if it was about to fly.

"Woof woof" sounds kept coming and going all around.

Shen Qianhuang couldn't help laughing as she looked at the lively little puppy, her eyebrows curved with gentleness.

Shen Qianchen looked back and forth between Shen Qianhuang and the little nanny, feeling that Shen Yunmu was unintentionally inserting himself into the situation this time. For Shen Qianhuang now, raising a cat and dog has broadened her mind a lot.

Well, I should give the little brat some credit!

Shen Qianchen thought in his mind that he might as well give the other bright moon bead given by Qin Yao to Shen Yunmu.

When Shen Qianhuang saw Shen Qianchen's eyes falling on the little puppy, she smiled and said, "Shuangying is too noisy. When Brother Mu went to study at Mr. Feng's place, Mr. Feng thought it was noisy, so Brother Mu handed it over. Give it to me."

Shen Yunmu is young, but she has to study literature and martial arts, and is busy with homework every day. Therefore, Shen Qianhuang spends half of her time raising this little puppy, and the dog also kisses her.

"Woof woof!" The little puppy, who looked like a glutinous rice dumpling, became even more excited when his owner called his name, and his fluffy tail swung more vigorously.

Shen Qianchen was not an outsider anyway, and Shen Qianhuang, regardless of his manners, squatted down and picked up the little puppy. While stroking its round head, he said with a smile: "Brother Mu always said sourly. , Now Shuangying likes me more!" "Woof!" the little puppy barked happily twice, as if to agree with her.

Shen Qianhuang smiled.

Shen Qianchen laughed louder than her, and his cheerful laughter spread like silver bells in the wind.

The two sisters came to the main room together, chatting and laughing with the dog. Before they sat down, a little maid came to report that Aunt Xu, who was beside Mrs. Mu Guogong, was here.

So, after a cup of tea, Nanny Xu came in with a smile on her face.

When Aunt Xu saw Shen Qianchen, she couldn't help being startled. Her eyes flashed, but she still reported to Shen Zhi honestly: "Auntie, Commander Pei went to the Duke's Mansion to propose marriage. Madam Tai wants you to Go and meet.”

"..." Shen Zhi lowered her eyes slightly, and an undercurrent passed under her thick eyelashes.

Shen Qianchen blinked meaningfully at Shen Qianhuang, who was holding the puppy on his right side.

Shen Qianchen was always well informed. She heard Gu Jue mention this matter early in the morning, so she left the palace specifically to push Shen Zhi.

The two sisters exchanged a look of understanding and said in unison: "Mom, let's go."

Shen Zhi: "..."

Facing the smiling faces of her two daughters, Shen Zhi pursed her lips and nodded in agreement, her eyes clear.

Then go for it.

So, mother and daughter went to Mu Guogong's mansion together.

The little puppy refused to leave Shen Qianhuang, so it also went to Mu Guogong's mansion, leaving only Dongmei to take care of Shen Yunmu in Shen's house.

Seeing the sisters Shen Qianchen and Shen Qianhuang accompanying Shen Zhi, Mrs. Mu Guogong was also very happy. She smiled so much that wrinkles appeared in the corners of her eyes and greeted:

"Azhi, Sister Huang, Sister Chen, please sit down."

"I asked the kitchen to prepare lunch and added your favorite dishes, so you will stay here for lunch today."

Shen Qianchen and Shen Qianhuang both responded with smiles.

Looking at Shen Qianhuang now, Mrs. Mu Guogong's mood is still a little tangled.

At the end of April, when Mrs. Mu Guogong knew that Shen Zhi had brought Shen Qianhuang back to her, she still didn't understand. Later, she heard Shen Zhi talk about the twins. At that moment, Mrs. Mu Guogong almost fainted from anger.

She scolded Jiang Minshan, but she hated Chu Lingxiao even more. This man was really too despicable and insidious, and his heart was worth killing.

In the past three months or so, Mrs. Mu Guogong has also met Shen Qianhuang several times. Seeing that she has become well-behaved again and no longer as obsessed as last year, Mrs. Mu Guogong gradually feels relieved. Now, I no longer have any grudges against Shen Qianhuang. After all, she is my granddaughter, so there is no need for an overnight feud.

She felt that Shen Qianhuang was separated from Shen Zhi at that time, that is, she was led astray by Jiang Minshan and Chu Lingxiao. After all, she was only a teenage girl, so it was no wonder that she would be at a loss when encountering drastic changes.

Now that the truth has been revealed, Shen Qianhuang has sincerely regretted it. From now on, they can just teach the children slowly as elders.

Now that Mrs. Mu Guogong saw that the relationship between sisters Shen Qianhuang and Shen Qianchen had become closer, her heart was completely relieved.

Whether or not the best time will come, whether the daughter really will come in the best time.

Mrs. Mu Guogong was really happy for her daughter.

Nanny Xu whispered something to Mrs. Mu Guogong. Only then did Mrs. Mu Guogong know that the two sisters were here for Shen Zhi's marriage, and her smile became even deeper.

Of course Mrs. Mu Guogong hopes that this marriage will come true. The only thing she is worried about is whether granddaughter Shen Qianchen, as the queen, will be discussed if her biological mother remarries. Her granddaughter had a very hard life in the past ten years, and she was the one who suffered the most injustice in the whole thing.

As soon as Shen Zhi sat down, she asked straight to the point: "Mom, where is my cousin?"

In the past few months, Shen Zhi has thought about it a lot, struggled, struggled, wandered, and tossed about, and now the dust has finally settled.

Mrs. Mu Guogong put her fists in her sleeves nervously and wanted to ask her daughter what she was thinking, but in the end she didn't say anything.

So, Mrs. Mu Guogong hired a maid to guide Shen Zhi, and told herself in her heart: Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Marriage between a man and a woman depends on your own will, and the daughter must be willing.

Pei Linye is a foreigner and cannot stay in the inner courtyard of the Shen family. He is currently waiting in the Moon-Taking Hall in the front yard.

Pei Linye held a tea cup in his hand and was drinking tea with his eyes lowered.

Upon noticing the movement outside, he immediately raised his head and looked accurately in the direction where Shen Zhi was walking.

The maid of the Shen family wisely stepped away. Pei Linye came several times to propose marriage, so the servants all knew why he came today.

"..." Shen Zhi also saw Pei Linye in the hall.

When their eyes met, the passage of time seemed to slow down.

Shen Zhi's steps slowed slightly, and then she continued to walk forward, her steps steady yet elegant.

Ever since her two daughters persuaded her last month, Shen Zhi also listened and no longer deliberately avoided Pei Linye.

In recent days, the two of them have actually been in contact. For example, when they went to Wanlinyuan Hunting Ground for autumn hunting at the beginning of this month, Pei Linye took Shen Zhi and Shen Yunmu into the mountains to hunt, and even hunted for the mother and son, as well as Shen Qianhuang. Rabbit dug up a few wild chrysanthemums with roots from the forest and gave them to Shen Zhi.

He remembered that she liked growing flowers, and he also knew that Brother Mu liked rabbits.

Thinking about this time, Shen Zhi's phoenix eyes that were very similar to Shen Qianchen's became a little softer.

Seeing Shen Zhi coming, Pei Linye put down the tea cup in his hand and stood up.

His eyes lit up at first, as bright as the scorching sun, and then became complicated, filled with anticipation, nervousness, entanglement, apprehension, and so on.

At this moment, he only had Shen Zhi in his eyes.

When he was seven years old, his father remarried Mrs. Mu Guogong's cousin Xia as his stepmother. It was also in that year that he met Shen Zhi. They grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. He had liked her since he was a child and wanted to marry her, have children with her, and spend his life with her.

But he knew that with his status, he was not worthy of her.

His father, Pei Tingyang, was only a third-rank General Zhaowu, but Shen Zhi's father was a first-class Duke. The identity and status of the two families were very different.

Even if he had the favor of his father, he could only get a sixth-grade military position in the army. Seniority is judged by military merit in the army. Therefore, he went to the North, hoping to earn another military merit, and then he would have enough confidence to go to the Northland. The Shen family asked for marriage.

But he didn't tell Shen Zhi his feelings, and he didn't dare to ask her to wait for him. After all, he went to the battlefield to risk his life. He didn't know if he could come back alive, so why bother her.

Three years after he went to Beidi, he heard the news about Shen Zhi and Chu Lingxiao's engagement. That night, he got very drunk, pretended that nothing had happened, and continued on the battlefield.

He hid his feelings for her deep in his heart and did not tell anyone. He only hoped that she would be happy in this life.

He had stayed in the North for more than ten years, and was brought back to the capital by Gu Langxuan the year before last. At that time, he thought that Shen Zhi and Chu Lingxiao were happily married, and he never thought of getting close to her... until Shen Qianchen's life experience. The mystery was revealed, and it wasn't until Shen Zhi decided to reconcile with Chu Lingxiao that his long-frozen heart began to beat again.

He told himself that this time, he must seize the opportunity.

He wanted to tell her what he felt.

Now he is no longer the naive and frail young man he was more than ten years ago. Now he is confident that he can give her happiness!

(End of chapter)