Fengmou in troubled times

Fang Hua, the emperor of the Cangjue Kingdom, is nearly half a century old now, but because of his good maintenance, he looks like a young man in his early thirties, still handsome, unrestrained and charming.In the few years since he became emperor at the age of 20, Cangjue's country has been in good weather, and the country is peaceful and the people are safe.Unexpectedly, 16 years ago, he suddenly insisted on going his own way, disregarding the objections of his officials, and sent troops to Rongshao Kingdom, and finally returned in a disastrous defeat. Then he had to send his seventh son, Fang Linyuan, to Rongshao Kingdom as a proton. Constrained by the posture of the Rong Shao Shu Yan clan everywhere.

However, it is difficult for people in this world to understand why Fang Hua chose to show weakness on purpose.Fang Hua on the throne laughed after thinking about it, and her eyes fell on the Seventh Prince Fang Linyuan who had finally returned to her side. After not seeing him for many years, this child looked more and more like his mother. "Yuan'er, these dishes were arranged by Concubine Xian according to your childhood taste, but do they still suit your taste?"

Seeing that Fang Hua's words attracted countless eyes with different meanings to him, Fang Linyuan smirked in his heart, but lowered his head calmly and replied: "Thank you, Father, for your concern. My son has been away for many years, and he is very concerned about everything in his hometown. I miss it very much. Now that I eat these dishes, it’s like going back to my childhood.”

"Then the Seventh Prince should eat more." Second Prince Fang Liancheng's mother Concubine Shu laughed, "In order to prepare these dishes for you, Sister Xian stayed up all night."

"For the sake of our Seventh Prince, Sister Xianfei is willing to be a cook." Concubine Chen Guifei took the words without a smile on her face. There is no empress in the harem, except for Fang Hua and the empress dowager, she is of the highest rank. Coupled with the fact that she gave birth to the eldest prince Fang Tingwu and the fifth prince Fang Yizhen, the queen's seat can be said to be within easy reach.But now his eldest son had sent Princess Yanyan to Rongshao to get married all the way, and unexpectedly died in the hands of Prince Rongshao, and he brought back the bastard, Seventh, back!Thinking of her eldest son Fang Tingwu who was in his prime, Concubine Chen wished to rush forward and strangle the Seventh Prince Fang Linyuan to death, why wasn't he the one who died!

The Empress Dowager Zhuang Jing, who was sitting on the other side of Fang Hua, looked up at her son's face, and coughed lightly. There is no decent queen in this palace, and all the concubines are going to make trouble. The son who does not live up to expectations, just like his dead father, is fascinated by Hu Meizi!What a worry! "Concubine Xian," Empress Dowager Zhuang Jing asked slowly, "Where is Liu Yatou? Why doesn't she come to see her seventh brother when she returns home?"

As the head of the four concubines, Concubine Xian didn't know that the Queen Mother was deliberately embarrassing her, but she didn't dare to neglect her, she just said with a smile: "That girl Qinger, relying on the favor of the Queen Mother and the Emperor, is getting better and better. She is getting more and more lawless. I don't know where I went to play recently, not only refused to go back to the palace, but I haven't contacted my concubine for more than half a year." She said and looked at Fang Hua for help, "Your Majesty also knows about this. of."

Seeing that the emperor nodded in acquiescence, Princess De, the mother of the tenth princess and the eleventh prince, hurried out to smooth things over, "Ancestor, my daughter-in-law sees that you love the sixth princess! Our little ten and eleven don't agree." She said He pushed the pair of children who just turned nine years old this year to the side of the Queen Mother. Concubine De is the niece of the Queen Mother's natal family, so they are naturally closer to the Queen Mother than others.The tenth princess, Fang Yashu, and the eleventh prince, Fang Weizhen, are twins. They have the meaning of dragon and phoenix bringing prosperity, and they are the most beloved by the Queen Mother among the many princes.Seeing these two darlings embracing her and acting like a spoiled child, Empress Dowager Zhuang Jing immediately hugged them into her arms with a smile on her face, and said lovingly: "If you want to eat, just tell the imperial grandmother!"

This so-called family banquet was really lively.Fang Linyuan looked at the brothers and sisters present, and lowered his head to hide a mocking smile on his face. If he really escorted the coffin of the eldest prince Fang Tingwu back, he might not even want to eat this reunion dinner up.

"Seventh brother, you just came back, is everything in the mansion in order?" Fang Jinghui, the fourth prince, asked in a low voice by taking the opportunity of toasting.He and the sixth princess, Fang Ziqing, who was not present, were both born of Concubine Xian, because Fang Linyuan had been raised by Concubine Xian before he went to Rongshao, so the bond between them was closer and deeper.

Smiling and shaking his head, Fang Linyuan talked and laughed with his fourth brother Fang Jinghui, while paying attention to the expressions of the other princes.Among the eleven children of his father, Fang Hua, the late eldest prince Fang Tingwu and the fifth prince Fang Yizhen, who was born to his mother, belonged to the same school; The prince Fang Hexuan is also in the same school; as for his fourth brother Fang Jinghui, on the surface he is wholeheartedly willing to help him, and he is in the same school as he has quietly helped him accumulate contacts over the years; In the hands of Empress Dowager Zhuang Jing, it must be a big hidden danger in the future.

It's just that they are fighting overtly and covertly, but they still can't figure out what his father is thinking... Fang Linyuan raised his head and looked at Fang Hua who was talking to Concubine Chen lovingly.The other concubines in the room were so jealous that they tore a few veils, but they didn't understand that this was just a kindness given by the emperor to comfort the concubine's pain of bereavement.In the end, for his cold father, the death of the eldest prince Fang Tingwu, who was nearly thirty years old and coveted his throne for a long time, probably wasn't a bad thing.

"Yuan'er," Fang Hua said suddenly, and the whole hall was silent, "Your three older brothers are now helping me in the Sixth Department, and even your eighth brother has taken a job in the Ministry of Industry this year. Since you are back Now, it’s time to share some of the burden for me. Now that your elder brother is gone, not only the official department, but also the household department he is in charge of is also vacant, Lao Qi, look, which department do you want to go to for exercise?”

As soon as this statement came out, all the princes and concubines were taken aback.Among these six ministries, the second prince Fang Liancheng is in charge of the Ministry of Punishment and Prison Law, the fourth prince Fang Jinghui is in charge of the Ministry of War and dispatching troops, the fifth prince Fang Yizhen is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and is in charge of the imperial examinations, and the eighth prince is in charge of the Ministry of Industry. For water conservancy and transportation, there are four departments under each of them, with a clear division of labor to check each other.Among these six ministries, it is the Ministry of Officials that is concerned with the transfer of officials across the country, which is the most suitable for developing its own party, while the Ministry of Households is the one that controls taxation and finance, and has the most lucrative opportunities.Now that the seventh prince, Fang Linyuan, has just returned to the country, the emperor asked him to choose these two hot errands at will. Could it be that there are other meanings in it?You know, the prince of their Cangjue Kingdom has not yet been established!

Seeing that the brothers were in shock, the fourth prince Fang Jinghui glanced at his mother and concubine and laughed secretly.Although the Seventh Brother has been away for more than ten years, his power in the court has been cultivated secretly. At this time, if he manages the government affairs in a legitimate manner, he can slowly seep into the early arrangements.

Empress Dowager Zhuang Jing raised her eyelids and said nothing, even though it was a family banquet, she had to give the emperor some face, so it was not easy to interrupt.Besides, there is the family motto of the ancestors that the harem should not be involved in politics. Even if she feels dissatisfied, she has to wait until she returns to her own palace and closes the door with the emperor.The Queen Mother didn't speak, Chen Guifei and the others couldn't speak casually, they all looked at Fang Hua anxiously, hoping that he would change his mind immediately.

Taking everyone's expressions into his eyes, Fang Linyuan got up and walked to the center of the hall, bowed to Fang Hua, and said with a smile: "Father also said that my son just came back from Rongshao Kingdom. I am not familiar with the affairs of China, and secondly, the journey has been exhausting, and I also want to ask my father for a favor, so I can be lazy for a few more days."

Fang Hua raised his eyebrows, and he quietly remembered the expressions of everyone present.After watching the seventh prince Fang Linyuan who was talking and laughing for a while, the emperor sighed and waved his hand to signal him to go back and sit down, "What you said, old seven, is also reasonable, then I will allow you to enjoy yourself for another month."

After the words fell, the atmosphere in the hall became relaxed.Fang Linyuan quickly put on a reassured expression and thanked him, and smiled relievedly at the fourth brother who raised his glass to him.When he comes back this time, he will naturally intervene in the government affairs, but it is definitely not now.Regardless of how much the eldest prince's party in the court, who were panicked by the eldest prince's death, still fear Fang Linyuan, even in the harem, from the Queen Mother Zhuang Jing down to the concubines with children, they all regard him as Fang Linyuan. Linyuan is like a thorn in the eye and a thorn in the flesh.After all, he has just returned to China, so it's better to have a shallower foundation on the surface...

Others naturally didn't understand Fang Linyuan's calculations, and they were relieved to see that the emperor was no longer obsessed with decentralizing power to the seventh prince.Among them, the happiest person is Concubine Chen Guifei. Originally, this household department was managed by her hard-working eldest son. If the broom star, Lao Qi, was taken advantage of, she would really be stunned to death.Seeing Concubine Chen happily spreading the song and dance to add to the fun, Fang Hua nodded lightly, but her mind was entirely on how to pave the way for her favorite son to inherit the throne.

……Dividing line……

If it is said that there are three religions and nine streams mixed with fish and dragons, they are nothing more than teahouses, wine shops, and brothels. Therefore, for Qixing Pavilion, which makes a living by collecting news and reselling information, in addition to the secret work placed in the court halls of various countries, other entertainment venues are opened in various places. It is also a necessary means.For example, the Wangxuan Pavilion and Yanyu Tower in the imperial capital of the Rongshao Kingdom, the several large teahouses in the Wenyun Kingdom, and the largest restaurant in Liangcheng, the capital of the Cangjue Kingdom, are actually properties under the name of the Qianxing Pavilion.

Pretentiously flipping through Liangcheng Restaurant's account books this year, Feng Yinran is still very relieved of the people arranged by the Southern Protector Suzaku who is in charge of the financial accounts of Qianxing Pavilion, and is also very satisfied with his vision in selecting his subordinates.The reason why he came here at this time was because Fang Linyuan had gone to the palace, and he came to see Zhen Su, who was in charge of Cang Jue's side, when he was idle and bored. "Zhen Su, have all the people who were originally placed in Fang Tingwu's mansion been withdrawn?"

The second innkeeper of the restaurant, Zhen Su from Qisuli in the south, raised his head from a pile of manuscripts when he heard the words, "When the news came, the subordinates had already made arrangements to transfer everyone to other places, the pavilion master can rest assured. "Since Fang Tingwu died in Rongshao Kingdom, the officials of the eldest prince's line automatically and consciously moved closer to the fifth prince who was also born to Concubine Chen, and the people who were dormant beside Fang Tingwu were gone effect. "The princes have already sent people in, not even the youngest eleventh prince. Director Mo Xi was worried about your safety, so he sent a few secret guards over. You have been living in the Seventh Prince's mansion for the past few days. The subordinates haven't had time to ask what you mean, do you want to bring these people with you, or?"

When Feng Yinran formed the dark guards, it was all because he was young and had low martial arts skills when he took over the Xingxing Pavilion. For his safety, he had to use the dark guards for protection.Now regardless of his swordsmanship and lightness skills, even his mind-confusing technique, there are few opponents in the world, so the dark guards are gradually transferred by him to handle tasks such as assassination. "Are there any hidden guards in the main pavilion that haven't been sent out yet?" Feng Yinran rubbed her chin and thought about it. Since Mo Xi had good intentions, she would never refute his face, "You leave two people for me, and the others Send it to Wenyun country." Compared to himself, he was more worried about Chu Ligui's three-legged cat's skill. "The current situation in Cangjue Kingdom is unpredictable, and you should pay more attention to the transfer of the court."

"Yes, the subordinate knows." Zhen Su replied with a smile, and was planning how to deploy manpower, but suddenly saw a familiar face walking in the lobby downstairs. "Hey? Isn't this the sixth princess?"

The private room on the third floor where Feng Yinran and the others stayed had a window that happened to be able to see the scene downstairs clearly. Hearing what Zhen Su said, Feng Yinran quickly looked around and saw a man dressed in short clothes, busy with the world. The young woman found a corner in the lobby and sat down, called Xiao Er to order a table of simple meals and a jug of fine wine, and poured herself a drink, amazed by others.

"These six princesses have been away from Liangcheng for more than five years. I didn't expect that they would not go back to the palace when they came back." Listening to Zhen Su's sigh, Feng Yinran remembered the story about the sixth princess of Cangjue Kingdom. those rumors.The sixth princess, Fang Ziqing, and the fourth prince, Fang Jinghui, were both born to virtuous concubines. They are usually favored by the emperor. She is a quiet, gentle and dignified beautiful princess.Just six years ago, when the sixth princess went out to run errands with the fourth prince, she met an elegant and extraordinary rich young master.The sixth princess, who fell in love with her at first sight and had a secret heart, concealed her identity, and "encountered" several times with this rich young master.Unexpectedly, when the sixth princess was about to report to her father to ask her to marry her, she suddenly discovered that her lover had already had a wife, and even the two concubines had already married back home.When the six princesses who were deeply hit were heartbroken, Chen Guifei, who had always been at odds with the concubine Xian, found out the news from nowhere, and spread the matter to everyone in Liangcheng.The disgraced sixth princess ran away angrily, and vowed that she would not marry for life unless all the wicked men in the world were punished.

Seeing that Feng Yinran was interested, Zhen Su added from the side: "Pavilion Master, don't look at the sixth princess who was born weak and demure, but her fists and kicks are extremely good, even the big inner guard may not be able to beat her. "Zhen Su couldn't help laughing when he thought of the big scene before the sixth princess left Liangcheng five years ago. "The dandy young master later found out about her identity, quickly divorced his wife and concubines, and affectionately begged the sixth princess to find a son-in-law to do him. Unexpectedly, the sixth princess was even more annoyed when she saw him like this, and immediately raised her hand. When the knife fell, his lifeline was abolished, and he was rewarded as a eunuch."

This sixth princess is also a character!Feng Yinran also laughed. I heard that Linyuan used to be raised by the concubine Xian, and had a deeper relationship with the fourth prince and the sixth princess. Now that he has the opportunity to meet the sixth princess, he should go over and say hello. . "Zhen Su, please sort out the list of the court ministers' preferences as soon as possible, and I will come back in a few days." Feng Yinran said and gave Zhen Su some instructions, and then she came out of the private room and went downstairs to Zi Qing's room. The desk went by.

At this time, the second quarter of Xu time had passed, and it was not the New Year's Eve, so there were not many customers in the restaurant. Except for Fang Ziqing, there were only two tables of diners drinking and chatting, and no one paid attention to Feng Yinran's movements.Let Xiaoer take a pot of old-fashioned wine and deliver it to Fang Ziqing in person. Feng Yinran cupped her hands and said with a smile: "I have heard the name of the princess, and I have admired it for a long time. Since I have a chance to meet you today, why don't you let me eat this meal?" As the host, I hope that the sixth princess will not dislike her."

Fang Ziqing, who was drunk, put down the wine glass in her hand, looked Feng Yinran up and down, then asked him to sit down opposite her, smiled generously, poured a glass of wine and pushed it in front of Feng Yinran, "I'm leaving It's been five or six years in Liangcheng, and it's really rare that someone still remembers who I am." She toasted her glass and drank it down, "Little brother, don't you plan to have a drink? If you don't know the jade on your waist Jue, you don't have this chance to drink with me. So, Xiaoqi really came back to Liangcheng. This time, concubine mother and fourth brother didn't lie to me."

The access token that Fang Linyuan left for him was just a common jade pendant on the surface, but Fang Ziqing recognized it immediately with sharp eyes. "The sixth princess has really good eyesight." Feng Yinran smiled, but she was very self-aware and didn't touch the glass of wine. He was still very clear about his drinking capacity. "Today, the emperor held a family banquet to clean up the dust for the seventh prince. Why don't the sixth princess go back to the palace to have a look?"

Without even blinking her eyes, Fang Ziqing just waved her hands and didn't answer. "I have traveled in the Eight Wastelands for so long, and I still know a little about famous people in various countries. Now that I have seen the token that Xiao Qi gave you, I can guess your identity." Before Feng Yinran could answer , Fang Ziqing refilled the cup for herself with a smile, and then said: "Xiaoqi is good at everything, but he doesn't open up to others easily. Even the fourth brother and I are nothing more than comparisons in his eyes. It’s just that others are a little bit closer. Fourth brother and I feel at ease to have you as a friend by his side to help him.” She sipped her wine and narrowed her eyes, smiling at Feng Yinran.It's no coincidence that she appeared here tonight. Even if Feng Yinran didn't come to say hello just now, she would try to stop him and tell him these words. "As a thank you gift for inviting me to drink, let me tell you about Xiao Qi's past, what do you think?"

Naturally, Feng Yinran would not refuse her proposal, and of course Fang Ziqing could not allow him to refuse.Ordering Xiao Er to bring peanuts and melon seeds over, Fang Ziqing looked around, lowered her voice, and told Feng Yinran the story of Fang Linyuan's childhood.