Pick all the cold branches

According to the edict of the first emperor, all concubines and concubines in the harem who had nothing to do were buried with them. In addition, there are three other people, all of whom are close and trusted by the superior. A close servant of the eunuch Chen, the Supreme Emperor specially hand-picked him to give him the honor of martyrdom, to accompany him in the imperial tomb, and to be at the side of the emperor forever.

The edict was written long before the late emperor abdicated. It was drafted by Cao Min, the chief assistant of the cabinet, and sealed behind the plaque in the Fengtian Hall. After the late emperor's visit, he was unsealed and read out in public. Even the current emperor was kept in the dark. , without prior knowledge.

As soon as the news came out, it was like thunder, and the whole court was in an uproar.

The first emperor wanted Empress Dowager Zheng, Concubine Wan and Chen Shiqin to be buried together.

In fact, Chen Shiqin was probably the only one, and the rest of the women, together with the late emperor and concubine, were wronged to accompany their deaths.Especially Concubine Wan, who is the biological mother of His Royal Highness King Rong, and also the adoptive mother of the present son, was dragged into the water entirely to stop people from talking, lest someone criticize the former emperor for favoring one another and using this to justify herself in order to survive.

But human martyrdom is extremely cruel. Except for the founder of the country, there are very few sects in this dynasty who actually left a will to name important people to be buried with them.The first emperor's move can be said to shock everyone.

In the south study room, Jia Fei sat at the head with frowning, and the next ones were Cao Min and other trusted cabinet ministers, King Rong, King Zhao and other brothers and princes, and of course Zhen Xian.

There was an unknown fire in my heart, and it couldn't break out, and it burned so badly that I was very anxious.

Father wanted to take Chen Shiqin with him, so as not to leave troubles behind and continue to stir up trouble.

But Jiafei couldn't feel happy anyway.

Concubine Wan is also Jia Yu's mother-in-law, even if he doesn't have much affection with this adoptive mother, he still has to worry about Jia Yu's feelings, how can he really let Concubine Wan go to be buried?

But if he only removes Concubine Wan from the list of burials, someone will immediately accuse him of being biased, and only allow Concubine Wan to live without giving Empress Dowager Zheng a way out.

Immediately afterwards, the pleading papers for Chen Shiqin would be presented to him like snowflakes.

Then, if he let Chen Shiqin go, and only asked the remaining women in the harem who failed to give birth to the emperor to be buried with the emperor, wouldn't he be killed for nothing?

Some of those women were even selected into the harem at the age of fourteen or five, and they were only in their twenties at this time, still very young. Why should such a beautiful youth die so meaninglessly?

Jiafei really didn't understand what his father wanted to do, why he suddenly changed his mind and wanted to kill Chen Shiqin immediately with such extreme means.

Maybe it was because his actions after succeeding to the throne were not good enough, and he even simply said that his actions were terrible in the eyes of his father, and he was very disappointed. He no longer believed that he could handle Chen Shiqin's possible second appearance.

If not, I'm afraid that the father has been closed in the Dagaoxuan Palace for a long time, eating golden pills every day has ruined his brain, so he will torment him when he was young, and he will be tormented for a lifetime, and when he dies, he will give him such a hand , sincerely did not want to make him feel better.

He could harden his heart and start killing Chen Shiqin in order to kill Chen Shiqin, but what about after the killing?How will he face the hearts of the world?

Even if all the people in the world can really honor the burial of the late emperor, or keep silent because of the reward in exchange for a human life, how can he pass the test of the people around him?

Xiaoxian would definitely not agree.

On the contrary, even if everyone in the world recognizes it, Xiaoxian will definitely object, and will argue with him, even quarrel, without any compromise, and turn the cart to the end...

Jia Fei rubbed his forehead with a headache, subconsciously glanced at Zhen Xian.

Xiaoxian's face was as pale as a sheet of paper, and he had suffered quite a lot of blows one after another, and it was difficult to recover for a while.He just hung his head halfway, and sat silently in his seat, no matter what the rest of the people said, he didn't have much reaction.Those cabinet ministers were happy that he kept silent, lest he would abduct His Majesty's holy will away if he opened his mouth.

Jiafei also doesn't know what the father said when he called Xiaoxian away at the end, how important it was to make the father, who could not even see his son when he was about to die, insist on seeing Xiaoxian.

All he knew was that his mood at this moment was really depressed and irritable, and his eyes were going to turn black with anger.

The first person who made him angry was Cao Min.

Father Cao's edict was drafted by Mr. Cao Ge himself.

Although it is said that he was the emperor and a courtier, Cao Ge was always his teacher, and he is still the chief assistant of his cabinet.He thinks that he is very respectful to Cao Ge, and he has never cut power and neglected. Why is Cao Min, an old fox, hiding such a big matter from him?

Is it because he reused Xiaoxian and Shiro after he succeeded to the throne, promoted a group of capable young officials, and cultivated his own cronies, which made Mr. Cao Ge feel in danger, so he knocked him like this to remind him The importance of the elderly?

Or is it that Cao Min and Chen Shiqin have been playing games for a lifetime, and at this moment, they think that this opportunity to strangle Eunuch Chen's neck with a white silk must not be missed, and they are afraid that the news will be missed early and something will happen, so they even hide it from him?

But he is the reigning emperor today.

His chief minister of the cabinet discussed important matters with the Supreme Emperor behind his back, and he didn't know until the Supreme Emperor closed his eyes.

At the same time, the eunuch next to the Supreme Emperor was planning to kill his son and concubine, even if he could not go out for half a step in the Great Gaoxuan Hall, he still almost succeeded.

What do these people think of him?

It is said that the Son of Heaven is supreme, and imperial power is the only totalitarian power in the world, so why is he, the emperor, so aggrieved?

What kind of emperor is he anyway?

All the cabinet ministers are still expressing their opinions, you say what you say, there are those who support the late emperor's decisive decision to ask the sage to be judged, and there are also those who oppose the tyranny of the former emperor and ask the sage not to follow the example of the emperor, so they quarrel first and fight in front of the emperor It's too late.

Jia Fei was not in the mood to listen to them tearing each other up, so he stared at them sullenly.Probably because the eyes were too terrifying, after staring for a while, there was silence in Nan's study room.

Cao Min was the first to stand up tremblingly, pleading guilty and resigning, and the rest of the crowd knelt down on the ground after watching their words.

When Jiafei saw these people putting on airs, his hands shook with anger, he kicked them all out, and then kicked out the two younger brothers Sanlang and Liulang, and after a glance, he saw that Jiashou was still sitting there, hesitantly wanting to get up and speak but refused. Too daring.

His Majesty's appearance made His Majesty angry for no reason. He casually picked up the paperweight before the case and threw it over, cursing: "You too!"

Jiashou blocked it with both hands, caught the paperweight that was flying towards him, and called timidly: "Second brother—" and didn't continue.

But he still stood there refusing to go, frowning, looking at Jiafei with worry.

This look made Jiafei suddenly feel as if a ladle of ice water was poured on the top of his head.

Qilang is more than ten years younger than him, and he has just reached Guannian.

He actually let his younger brother look at him with such worried eyes.

It shows that the emperor's disbelief is not completely unreasonable.

Thinking back to when he was only twenty, he was still squatting in the imperial mausoleum and counting pigeons every day, I am afraid that he is no better than Jiashou.

A depression in the chest gradually condensed, but it completely cooled down.

Jiafei let out a long breath, pressed his temple wearily, and slowed down his tone to Jiashou.

"You go back and get ready and go."

Jiashou couldn't help being slightly taken aback, "I...don't have to wait for my father's funeral in Beijing—"

"What are you waiting for? I still think that there are not enough people in Beijing to be annoying enough."

Jia Fei frowned, suppressed another round of Sheng Teng's anger, and then said carefully in a hoarse voice:

"You go to Nanzhili to stay for a while. There can be no troubles in Zhezhi. You have to watch things in Nanjing carefully. Discuss small things with Zhang Siyuan, and let the princess come back directly for big things. Enter the palace and see me. Write two copies of all memorials, The ones from the cabinet are still the same, they can’t be handed in directly to me through the cabinet, or you can give it to your fourth brother, or you can give it to Mr. Zhen, don’t touch the hands of the chief of rites.”

This kind of thing, just by talking about it, it is difficult to teach it immediately after a few days and nights.

Although Jiashou did have the most suitable status to go to Nanzhili at this time, he may not have the ability to control the situation.

"He can't, or I—"

Jia Yu was leaning on a chair beside her, with a thick woolen blanket on her body, seeing Xiao Qi'er's absent-minded and ignorant face, she became anxious, couldn't help but cut off the conversation, unexpectedly, she only said half a sentence, There was a violent cough, and when he hurriedly covered his mouth, the fishy sweetness had welled up his throat.

But he gritted his teeth and swallowed back, his eyes flushed.

Ever since Qilang confronted Shiro in Chaoshang and wanted to drive Shiro out of Beijing, Shiro's health has been not very good, and Chen Ji repeated it.Probably really hurt.

Jiafei looked at Jiayu's frail appearance, saw the hatred in Jiayu's eyes that had more than enough heart but not enough energy, and saw this younger brother whom he loved and cared for since he was a child, but had to work hard for him despite his illness, and felt distressed immediately. He became angry again and Xiao Qi'er didn't know how serious it was.

He went forward in two steps, pacified Shun Jiayu's back, and coaxed: "You are not allowed to go anywhere, just rest in your palace." He glared at Jiashou again, and said angrily : "You heartless little white-eyed wolf, why don't you roll over and help your fourth brother!"

He ordered someone to carry his chariot for Jiayu to ride out of the ban, and asked Jiashou to follow him in person, so that he could send Jiayu back to Rongwang's mansion.

Jia Yu held onto his sleeve tightly, called out "Second Brother" in a low voice, then paused, and spoke again after a long time, only to hear the mourning sound.

"If Your Majesty has already made up his mind, don't worry about your younger brother."

Shi Lang and Xiao Xian have completely opposite temperaments, and it is rare for him to address him as "Your Majesty" or "Chendi", but now he suddenly changed his tune.

Jiafei felt a pain in his heart, he couldn't help but squeezed his shoulder hard, frowned and said: "You and I are brothers, how could I ignore you."

Jiayu's eyes swelled, and she stared at him for a long time, her pupils seemed to have water ripples, "I want Xiao Niang to come into the palace to serve my mother for a while... Please allow me, Your Majesty."

Shi Lang asked Xiao Hengwu to enter the palace to accompany Concubine Wan, but he didn't intend to go.Mostly because he didn't want to embarrass him, and he didn't know how to face his mother's terrified crying at this time.

It's ridiculous that their father and emperor neither regarded their mother as a pillow person, nor did they seriously consider the situation and feelings of their sons.

But those of them who are sons have been taught not to disobey from birth.

Or, the royal father has actually considered it seriously, but the royal father thinks that these are not important enough.

With a sore heart, Jiafei looked at Jiayu and nodded, and promised in a low voice: "You can arrange it yourself."

He watched as Jia Shou helped Jia Yu onto the chariot, and then drove away all the palace servants who were waiting in front of him. When he and Zhen Xian were finally left in the study, he suddenly fell down like a mountain.

too tired.

Zhen Xian was startled suddenly, as if awakened from a nightmare, he rushed to support him.

He staggered two steps, let Zhen Xian help him to the couch behind the screen, buried his face in Xiao Xian's arms, and remained motionless.

Xiaoxian's chest is warm, with the fragrance of grass and trees that makes him obsessed.

This real touch gradually calmed him down.Too much tiredness, anger and sorrow that could not be vented, poured down at this moment.

He remembered that after the internal officials bemoaned the Taishang Huangxian to go, he finally walked into the Da Gaoxuan Hall and saw his father's lifeless corpse that had not been cooled by ice, but he restrained himself so much that he could not let out a wail.

After so many years passed since his mother passed away, his father finally passed away too.

It was very difficult for Jiafei to figure out whether this lingering feeling could be considered sadness.

Seeing his father lying silently in front of him, he was already just a piece of dead meat, he would never look at him coldly with unfathomable eyes, scold him and reprimand him for fiddling with his life... At that moment, he actually felt that he was Overwhelming confusion and fear engulfed it.

Like a wild animal that has been imprisoned in shackles for a long time, it finally got out of the cage and released its heavy burden. There was a tinge of pleasure, but it was fleeting.

He suddenly realized that he had long been looking forward to his father's death soon, but he had never thought deeply about what his father's death meant to him and to the world.

He didn't even think about what he would do and how he would deal with himself once his father really died.

Only at this moment, he seemed to be back to the child when he was ten years old, locked in a lonely palace, lost his mother, lost his father, his eyes were dark, he couldn't see the way out, Ren Ruhe went crazy There was no response to screaming.

He actually expected his father to die.

This cold black tide born from the bottom of his heart shocked him, but it was strange but could never be separated.

Jiafei couldn't help but tightened his arms, feeling himself trembling.

But Zhen Xian still hugged him quietly, without saying a single unnecessary word, no different from the gentle boy many years ago.

The body temperature pressed against each other gradually soothed the restless emotions.

Jia Fei took a deep breath, trying to stabilize his trembling voice.

"If I make a choice that doesn't satisfy you—"

His arms are so strong and his heart is beating hot.But his voice was so low, as if he would fall down at any moment, into an endless abyss.

Zhen Xian was suffocated by his strangulation, but couldn't break free, so he could only smile wryly.

"Your Majesty doesn't need to satisfy me..."

He has known His Majesty since he was ten years old, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye.What kind of person His Majesty is, he thinks he knows better than anyone else.

Your Majesty may occasionally take a slanted sword, and may occasionally gamble willfully, but his heart is always upright.

His Majesty the Emperor, whom he loves so much, dares to do what no one dares to do. He can fight against foreign enemies for the country, spend a lot of money for the people, and can go out alone to fight against tigers and wolves when the humerus is silent like a cicada and all the officials are silent.

The reason why His Majesty was able to reach this point today, and to aspire to the supreme power in the world, was not only because of being born as a prince, nor was it only because of the destiny.

And in his three lifetimes, he was lucky enough to meet His Majesty at a young age, accompany the King, and witness the hardships and fearlessness of this journey, so what else can he be dissatisfied with?

He had no doubts about his Majesty.

Zhen Xian suddenly felt his eyes swell.

His heart surged, almost breaking through his chest.He could only fold his arms tightly and hug Jiafei back.

"Your Majesty, as long as you satisfy yourself, that's enough."

Other than that, Xiaoxian didn't say anything.Not a word of advice to him.It's not even like Jia Yu, who still hesitates to talk to him in every possible way, and keeps talking to him.

Xiaoxian is indeed the only person in this world who understands him and believes in him deeply.

He hugged Zhen Xian tightly in his arms and refused to let go for a long time, until he heard Zhen Xian sigh several times.

Xiaoxian lowered his eyes and whispered to him:

"The current situation is complicated. Your Majesty should not bother to pursue the old case of my family."

Jiafei's eyes flickered, and he immediately noticed something strange, "...what did the emperor tell you in the end?"

But Zhen Xian only frowned and shook his head, refusing to say anything to him.

Among the objects used by the late emperor during his lifetime, there is a jade pillow, which was kept by the late emperor for many years, and was ordered by the late emperor to be buried in the coffin.

There are thousands of treasures in the palace, and countless more beautiful ones, why the former emperor only wanted this old jade pillow that had been used for many years.For a while, those who knew the inside story speculated a lot, but they still couldn't figure out the reason.Only Zhen Xian sighed silently when he heard it.

The date of the great funeral has not yet been decided, but the day for His Royal Highness King Zhao to go south has already been set.

On the day of departure, Zhen Xian and Yu Qing went to see him off on behalf of the emperor.

Back in the day, when the Holy Majesty was still His Royal Highness King Jing, he left Beijing to fight against the Japanese. He also bid farewell to the capital at the same place. His Royal Highness King Zhao and the Princess came to see him off.Now things are different and people are different, living in a different place, it is suddenly desolate and desolate.

Today's Zhaowang Jiashou is a handsome young man with a jade crown compared to back then, but there are still many clear and pure colors in his eyebrows and eyes.

Before he left, he tugged at Zhen Xian's sleeve, reluctantly, and asked aggrievedly, "Does Mr. Zhen think I'm wrong too?"

He paused for a short moment, as if he wanted to hold back, but he couldn't hold back, so he asked again: "Even if I was wrong... are all the things that the fourth brother did right?"

Zhen Xian was at a loss for words for a while, but didn't know how to answer.

His Highness King Rong's actions, if we want to talk about right and wrong, we can't simply say that they are all right.

But His Royal Highness King Rong had to do the same.

It was as if at this moment, sending His Royal Highness King Zhao to Nanjing immediately even before the date of the late emperor's funeral, not allowing the son to be filial to the deceased father may not be right, but the Holy Majesty has no choice.

No matter how this man's death is finally decided, Chen Shiqin will definitely die if he refuses, and will fight for his life.To earn your life, you need chips.

His Royal Highness King Zhao is the most suitable candidate to stabilize Nanzhili today, so he must go.

Zhen Xian was silent for a long time, then let out a sigh.

"Your Majesty trusts His Majesty to let His Majesty do such an important thing at this time. And once there is chaos in Zhezhi, it will not only affect His Majesty and His Highness' brothers, but also the people of the two provinces and even the world. Your Majesty Just keep this in mind, the rest, is it that important?"

Standing in the wind, he watched His Highness King Zhao and the concubine's car disappear as far as he could see. When he turned around, he suddenly felt dizzy and lost his strength, almost limp on the ground.

Yuqing was so frightened that she didn't even care about etiquette, she threw herself on him and supported him with both hands.

Zhen Xian tried his best to open his eyes wide, and saw the cold sweat on his forehead falling on the ground like rain, and a wet mark fell in the blink of an eye.

His Royal Highness King Zhao's question, he just couldn't answer directly, but ran away in spite of himself.

Maybe it's not that I don't know how to answer, but that I dare not answer at all.

This is something that was unimaginable when I was young and passionate.

But time has passed, and he is no longer the high-spirited boy he was back then.In the capital, in the forbidden city, in the field of power, and in front of the king, the boundaries between right and wrong gradually become more and more blurred as time goes by.

He didn't think he had changed much.But he often feels really scared, afraid that one day, instead of fulfilling his promise and helping the Holy Lord, he himself will use the name of "thinking about the overall situation" and "helpless" Number, one step ahead, crushing the untouchable bottom line.