Confidante Saisuke

Shangguan Wan'er got up early in the morning, talked to Yu Xuanji and Yanzhi, and asked Yanzhi to stay by Yu Xuanji's side, and when everything was fine, she went back to the palace with Cheng Yiwei and her party.It was only Chen Shi when she returned to the palace, but she didn't have a chance to see Wu Meiniang until dinner.

At this time, it is midsummer, and thunderstorms are frequent everywhere.Wenzhou and Kuozhou were hit by floods, flooding more than ten counties. The people in the two places were displaced, their wives were separated, and they were homeless.Wu Meiniang convened the officials of the household department to discuss disaster relief with the people sent by the two places to report the disaster.After agreeing to exempt from taxation and corvee, and to give money, food and cloth, four household inspectors were selected to take several imperial physicians to the two places.As soon as the people from the household department retired, another accident happened in Sichuan and Sichuan.Maozhou prefect sent someone to report that Tubo captured Anrong City in Maozhou under the guidance of Sheng Qiang.It was raining all night, and Wu Meiniang had planned to let Hei Chi Changzhi go to suppress the Yangzhou rebellion, but now she had to order him to go to Jiannan to fight Tubo.

"Empress Dowager, there is no one in the side hall. It is almost past noon, it is important for the Empress Dowager to take care of her body, let's have lunch first. The minister will pick out the important ones for the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager will take a rest first." Xiao Jing looked Seeing that Wu Meiniang had been dealing with political affairs with the ministers for half a day, she didn't bother to drink a few sips of tea, and finally everyone left. Seeing that Wu Meiniang was going to read the memorial again, she hurriedly tried to persuade her.

"Oh, it's already here." Wu Meiniang stopped, looked at the engraving, nodded, got up and said, "Okay. You can have lunch with Ai's family. I'll read those memorials later." Xiao Jing Xie En, follow behind Wu Meiniang.

"Xiao Jing, there is one thing that Aijia is very curious about. You are a girl who was raised by a family like Lanling Xiao's Zhongming Dingshi. Poems and songs should be cultivated since childhood. Why have I never seen your poems?" Wu Meiniang didn't have time to ask about Shangguan Wan'er's whereabouts until now, and she happened to think of her poems, seeing that Xiao Jing was only three or four years older than Shangguan Wan'er, but she never saw her reciting poems right, she couldn't help being curious.

Xiao Jing smiled, put down his chopsticks and replied: "In Xiao Jing's humble opinion, the piano, chess, poetry and painting can neither secure the country nor rival the country. "Wu Meiniang laughed loudly: "Xiao Jing, it's a pity that you are a daughter. If you were a man, with your talent and appearance, how many daughters would fall in love with you." Xiao Jing smiled: "The empress dowager praised you, Xiao Jing dare not take it."

After lunch, the two of them did not rest, and returned to the main hall to process the memorial.Wu Meiniang reviewed the memorial by herself, Xiao Jing stood aside and silently opened the memorial to take a look, put the important ones in Wu Meiniang's hand, and put the others in the corner of the case.If you have accumulated a lot, report them to the case in front of the window and review them yourself.As the sun set, the light slanted into the hall through the windows, and the furnishings were all dyed golden.Xiao Jing put the approved memorial on Wu Meiniang's case, saw the secret report sent in by the maid just now, and took out a copy, it really was about the things in Yangzhou.

After hastily reading two or three books, Xiao Jing smiled.Ever since she heard the news of the rebellion in Yangzhou, she has been unwilling to eat and sleep for three days. In the end, the emperor has paid off, and she is looking forward to the good news.Looking at Wu Meiniang who was still bowing her head to review the memorial, Xiao Jing carried the memorial to her case, planning to read the secret report first and write an abridged copy for Wu Meiniang, so that she would be less tired.

"I thought there were some counselors and generals around him, but they were all corrupt and perverted. I thought they were just for the sake of Li Tang's royal family, but they were just despicable people Incompetent people. No wonder I haven't heard any news of them sending troops to the north in the past few days. I thought there was some kind of conspiracy, but they don't know how to use troops at all." Wu Meiniang looked at the rebel leaders in Xiao Jing's summary.Li Jingye, King Luo Bin, and Wei Siwen are all petty officials who were demoted for corruption.

Xiao Jing smiled and said: "The most ridiculous thing is that at the beginning, it was said that Xu Jingye won more than 20 elite soldiers within three days. Elite soldiers, it turned out that he released the prisoners from the prison, and added some labor and labor. These people are speculators. If they gather together, they will gather, and if they disperse, they will disperse. Even if there are [-] people, there is nothing to be afraid of. of."

Wu Meiniang stood up and moved her slightly sore body. She paced and said, "Li Jingye's grandfather was originally the grandson of the Duke of England. The Duke of England was Dingweiyang in the south, and Damo in the North Qing Dynasty. He was brave and resourceful. I don't want to be a tiger father and a dog son. But Xu Jingye doesn't know how to fight. Since he wanted to overthrow me with a rising army, he should go to Luoyang as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, after three days, he was still lying in Yangzhou, and there was no movement at all. See I came here to wait for work with ease, and wait for us to send troops south to fight to the death."

Xiao Jing watched Wu Meiniang sit down, walked over to beat her shoulders, and said, "According to Xiao Jing's humble opinion, he didn't want to fight to the death, but he took a fancy to Jiangnan's wealth and wealth, and wanted to establish a solid foundation there, and confront the court for a long time, so that in the future It's a big plan. It's a pity that he can't see the general trend at all. The longer the time drags on, the better it is for us. Because Jiangnan is rich, everyone has enough food and clothing, and has enjoyed peace for 30 years. I don't want anyone to fight and ruin their good fortune. Life. Even if he is really for justice, what the people want is a peaceful and prosperous world, to live a happy life, and they don’t care about justice at all, I’m afraid they hate him more for provoking wars for no reason.”

Wu Meiniang nodded approvingly: "You are quite right. Tomorrow, we will announce the matter of Yangzhou to the imperial court, so that everyone can come up with ideas. One person will plan for the shortcoming, and two will plan for the long-term. No matter how carefully we think about it, there will always be omissions. Listen to what they have to say."

"What good things do they have to say?" Xiao Jing said disgustedly, "I think they heard that there was a rebellion, and it was too late to be happy. How could they come up with any good ideas? The Queen Mother just orders it herself, and Xiao Jing will do it immediately."

Wu Meiniang laughed loudly: "There are still a few people who can be used. For example, leading troops to fight is not our strength, we still have to find others. Besides, if we do everything by ourselves, how can we be busy? Xiao Jing, I know You are very smart, didn't you subdue Lai Junchen? In the future, you should employ more people, don't fight alone. All I am waiting for you here are big things, don't let small things consume your mind. "

Xiao Jing was overwhelmed with emotion, and replied with a smile: "Yes, I would like to follow the teachings of the Empress Dowager."

"En." Wu Meiniang patted Xiao Jing's hand that was rubbing her shoulders and said, "There's nothing to do here, you've been tired all day, go back and rest." Seeing Xiao Jing was about to walk out of the hall, she stopped her and said , "Remember to bring the call to court tomorrow, and let those ministers listen to it."

Stretching, Wu Meiniang was about to order dinner when Tuan'er came in to report: "Qi to the Empress Dowager, someone from Xianyiguan has come to report, Yu Xuanji and Yanzhi are going to leave for Chang'an tomorrow."

The joyful mood disappeared in an instant, and the anger blazed from his chest.Shangguan Wan'er, how dare you lie to me! "Where's Shangguan Wan'er? Tell her to come see me." Wu Meiniang shouted.

In the past few days, Tuan'er also knew that Wu Meiniang was worried about the Yangzhou rebellion, and had been serving him carefully. Now seeing Wu Meiniang getting angry, he bowed his head and said yes, and hurriedly retreated to call Shangguan Wan'er.Shangguan Wan'er waited for a whole day, and at dinner time, she saw Wu Meiniang sent someone to call her, and happily followed the maid towards the palace.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she walked in front of Wu Meiniang, before she had time to speak, she was slapped heavily on the cheek, Shangguan Wan'er was dizzy for a while, and her ears were buzzing.She covered her cheeks and stood there for a while, pursing her lips. After she saw the surroundings, she frowned and said, "What's wrong with me?"

Wu Meiniang took a step forward, grabbed Shangguan Wan'er by the collar, and said bitterly: "Shangguan Wan'er, I didn't force you to hide the Yangzhou matter, you promised not to tell others, but why did you turn around and tell the matter?" Get out. If you can’t do it, don’t show off. Why did you lie to me?” Seeing the expression on Shangguan Wan’er’s face changed from aggrieved to terrified, she became even more angry in her heart, and said through gritted teeth, “You are worthy of staying in Ye Ting for two years. Also learn to be obedient to me and disobey me!"

Oops, did Sister Yu tell others?After hearing Wu Meiniang's question, Shangguan Wan'er immediately became anxious.She didn't dare to say Yu Xuanji's name, fearing that Wu Meiniang would really execute her.It's okay to admit this matter yourself, but Luoyang's people's hearts are unstable, what should Tianhou do? "Tianhou, why don't you lock up those who know about this first..." However, she suddenly thought that according to Wu Meiniang's character, these people would not escape death.

Seeing Shangguan Wan'er's reaction, Wu Meiniang was slightly surprised, and immediately asked angrily, "You bastard, how many people did you tell?"

How did Shangguan Wan'er know who Yu Xuanji had told?It turned out that Tianhou didn't catch everyone. In this way, if he kept it a secret, he would miss Tianhou's affairs.Shangguan Wan'er had no choice but to tell the whole story: "Tian Hou, I didn't tell Sister Yu. Sister Yu has a friend in the south of the Yangtze River, and he brought the news to Sister Yu. I don't know who Sister Yu told Sister Yu." Suddenly remembering that he asked Yu Xuanji to take Yan Zhi to Chang'an, he said hastily, "Sister Yu is probably already leaving for Chang'an, so hurry up and send someone to chase her back."

But Wu Meiniang let go of her hand, and looked at her with a cloudy expression: "You didn't say it?"

Shangguan Wan'er only thought that Wu Meiniang was in trouble, she was so anxious that she shed tears, she raised her hand to wipe her tears and said, "No. I know this matter can't be told, so how can I tell others. It's just that I went to Sister Yu's place. She already knew about it before, and there is nothing I can do about it. Tianhou," Shangguan Wan'er pulled Wu Meiniang's arm anxiously, "Hurry up and send someone to chase Sister Yu back. She is going to Chang'an today."

It seems that I misunderstood myself.The anger in Wu Meiniang calmed down all of a sudden, she turned to go to the table and took a sip from the teacup, only then did she realize that her mouth was dry.Turning his head to see Shangguan Wan'er still looking at her nervously, he felt apologetic, he slapped her indiscriminately in a moment of impatience, it was really reckless.

Pulling Shangguan Wan'er to sit down on the couch, Wu Meiniang gently touched her swollen cheeks, and asked softly: "Does it hurt? I'll get someone to bring a plaster right away, and it will be fine after a while." .”

Shangguan Wan'er shook her head and grabbed Wu Meiniang's hand: "I don't feel pain. Tianhou, please send someone to chase Sister Yu back. Sister Yu knows a lot of people. If it's too late, I don't know how many people will know the news .”

Seeing Shangguan Wan'er's worried face, Tianhou was moved and sad at the same time: "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if someone knows now. Those people are nothing, they can't get to Luoyang."

ah?Shangguan Wan'er was stunned for a moment, but when she came to her senses, she turned her worry into joy, and asked with a smile, "Have they been stopped by Tianhou's soldiers?"

Wu Meiniang didn't explain much, she nodded casually, then turned to call the maid to come in, ordering her to fetch a box of anti-swelling plaster.Putting down the big stone in her heart, Shangguan Wan'er felt her face was on fire.While applying plaster on Shangguan Wan'er, Wu Meiniang listened to Shangguan Wan'er's occasional inhalation, feeling guilty and affectionate: "I'll have dinner later, shall I feed you?"

How to use dinner, I don't know what the swelling on the face looks like, and it hurts even when I open my mouth.Shangguan Wan'er waved her hand: "I have nothing to do in the afternoon, I ate a lot of snacks, and now my stomach is still full, so I don't want to eat."

Back in the side hall, Shangguan Wan'er took a mirror to look at it.When Cheng Yiwei heard Shangguan Wan'er came back, she hurried in to pour tea for her, but she was startled when she saw her cheeks were swollen, and hurriedly asked what was going on.Shangguan Wan'er just waved her hands and said she was fine.Who else can name Guan Wan'er here?Cheng Yiwei turned her back and sighed.The empress dowager is moody, and she only suffers from her daughter.Although the danger is saved every time, there is always some suffering.The maids in the Tongming Palace all commented that the Empress Dowager favored the girl too much, she really didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse.