my demon

"Did you eat your stomach?"

Empress Dowager Sun looked up at Wu Zhishu who was combing her hair in the glasses.

Wu Zhishu chuckled: "It is said that I ate badly last night, and the abdominal pain was unbearable. I asked the on-duty imperial physician to come in for diagnosis and treatment overnight. The pain lasted all night, and it will be better at dawn."

Empress Dowager Sun said: "Is the imperial dining room severely punished?"

Wu Zhishu smiled: "I have never seen the accountability to the imperial dining room. My mother doesn't know. I heard from the gossip that Lao Gao has been tossing all night, but the imperial doctor came to take the pulse but he didn't get sick at all. He couldn't tell why Lao Gao had unbearable abdominal pain. Lao Gao I don’t believe in imperial doctors either, I heard that I ordered people to make mung bean soup, milk and golden juice to induce vomiting all night until dawn.”

Speaking of golden juice, he couldn't help laughing again.

Empress Dowager Sun's face darkened: "Does he suspect that he has been poisoned?"

Wu Zhishu was very gloating: "Who knows, anyway, I didn't see his trouble finding the imperial dining room. Besides, if there is something wrong with the imperial dining room, how could he be the only one who got caught? Yesterday's Dragon Boat Festival, if something really happened, he must not be the only one." Eating bad stomach. If you want me to say, he has made a lot of enemies. Now I don’t know where I ate something and my stomach hurts. I also suspect that I have been poisoned. The doctors on duty at the Taiyuan Hospital went to two last night, and they went again today when they changed shifts One, give him a pulse and say nothing, just not enough rest."

Empress Dowager Sun didn't smile, instead she lowered her face: "Why didn't you report last night?"

Wu Zhishu was taken aback, put down the ivory comb in his hand, and quickly knelt down: "The slave is guilty, the slave thinks this is a trivial matter, and dare not disturb the queen mother to rest."

Empress Dowager Sun said coldly: "Yesterday at the Dragon Boat Festival, there was a bar in the palace? Gao Yuanling is also considered No. 1 among the chief servants in the harem. Naturally, there was also a wine. Who gave it?"

Wu Zhishu broke out in a cold sweat: "It was sent by the servant..."

Empress Dowager Sun asked, "Did he drink on the spot?"

Wu Zhishu muttered: "No...he was busy grading papers at that time..."

Empress Dowager Sun sneered: "The food in the palace has always been used up face to face, and there is no leftover. Wu Zhishu, Aijia sees that your rules are too loose, and people are getting more and more stupid! It is these years in Aijia. Palace, there is nothing for you to worry about, are you stupid?"

Wu Zhishu didn't dare to say a word, and the Empress Dowager Sun said coldly: "If there is something wrong with the imperial dining room or the tea, snacks and fruits, Gao Yuanling would have already suffered a seizure in the imperial dining room. Can't diagnose the problem, and he didn't have a seizure too much, is this still the hot so-called internal medicine? You use your brain to think about it!"

The back of Wu Zhishu's clothes were soaked in several layers: "Could it be... Could it be that there was something wrong with the wine sent by the slave? Was it secretly poisoned? Then why can't the Tai Hospital diagnose it? And this imperial wine is guarded every day, sealed Divide it into pots, and I personally watched what was poured from the jar into the pot..."

Empress Dowager Sun said: "It doesn't have to be poison. It's not easy to poison in the palace. If it is really poison, how can you waste the opportunity to use such a useless poison? This is clearly a way to sow discord, and Gao Yuanling - obviously he believed it, He thinks that the Ai family really gave him the poisoned wine, and the Taiyuan Hospital was instructed by the Ai family, so they only say that it is non-toxic... Go and find out, Gao Yuanling is definitely not in the palace now, he must have asked for leave to leave the palace, he I am afraid that if I stay in the palace, I will be punished to death by the Ai family at any time."

Wu Zhishu almost threw himself into the ground: "Your Majesty is wise, this morning I heard that Gao Yuanling's pain was relieved in the morning, so I asked for leave and went to his mansion outside to recuperate."

Empress Dowager Sun said: "He will definitely look for ministers in the cabinet. This matter cannot be taken lightly. What is the matter of Chang'an, Gao Yuanling thought that he was given poisoned wine by the Ai family, so he must find a way to target Ai family, Ai family Write a letter, you leave the palace immediately, hand it to Marquis Chengen in person, and tell Marquis Chengen what happened today, and ask him what can be done, the Ai family guesses, they must start with the emperor himself."

Wu Zhishu nodded: "This servant respectfully obeys the Queen Mother's order."

Empress Dowager Sun thought about it again, and laughed: "However, there is no need to be too anxious. He wants to return to the emperor. How can the two prime ministers in the cabinet be willing to do so? Behind them are endless fellows from the same hometown, the same department, and the same year. How could you be willing to return to power so early? Just for a lost dog? It's a pity that Gao Yuanling's chess piece is about to be abolished... but the Supervisor of Rituals can't just give up like this."

She looked at Wu Zhishu with some dissatisfaction: "You are too useless, otherwise you would have been put on the top. Now, in a hurry, where can I find someone who knows everything about it?"

Wu Zhishu could only bow his head deeply, and Empress Dowager Sun said: "Call all the eunuchs who are on duty as the supervisor of ceremonies over here, and ask Aijia for questions."

Wu Zhishu knew that Empress Dowager Sun was planning to temporarily lift someone up from his deputy, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. It's a great opportunity, but it's a pity... I'm not very talented, and those eunuchs who hold pens are indeed familiar with scriptures and very knowledgeable. , and was taught by the great scholars from time to time, and now he can only respond graciously.

Empress Dowager Sun wrote a letter by herself, sealed it layer by layer with wax, sealed several layers, and handed it to Wu Zhishu. Then she closed her eyes and thought about her plan.Behind her, Aunt Gong came out quietly, and asked in a low voice, "I was talking about the eldest girl..."

Empress Dowager Sun rubbed her temples: "Let's put it aside for a while, now that Gao Yuanling has changed, the person behind this plan is even more vicious, pushing Gao Yuanling from Aijia's help to the opposite side, and Duan Wang is not there , the Ai family can't do it alone, there is no help. The cabinet ministers are already afraid of the Ai family. In the middle, it is waiting to be married again, the rules are strict, and I will not walk around and talk nonsense. I have my brother to control me, so I am not in a hurry. In case of a bad handling and something goes wrong, I will give the opponent a knife and a handle, and put it away first. "

Empress Dowager Sun thought for a while and said: "Let the Shang Palace Bureau send two more mature female officials to Cheng'enhou's mansion, and teach her the rules, take good care of her, don't let her idle."

Aunt Gong said in a low voice, "Yes."

Left Xiang Jifu.

Ji Tongzhen was dressed in a gauze hat, sitting on a chair with a teacup, as simple as an ordinary scholar.He took a sip of tea slowly, frowned slightly, and looked at Gao Yuanling who was in a state of embarrassment in front of him: "How could the Queen Mother poison you for no reason?"

He took a closer look at Gao Yuanling's face again: "I have a little knowledge of medicine, and you don't look like you have just been poisoned. Your complexion is rosy, your eyes are bright, and you are full of spirit. How can you still walk and speak as usual?"

Gao Yuanling's voice was hoarse: "Ji Xiang, whether it's true or not, the suspicion has already arisen. I have abdominal pain after taking the Empress Dowager's Dragon Boat Festival. Many people have seen it, and there are many people in the palace. Will the Empress Dowager believe that I don't suspect her? For example, Back then, Gaozu bestowed a goose on an important official with back sores, no matter whether he was good or not, he could only die, I was nothing more than a slave, and the Queen Mother wanted to bestow death on me, that's all it took."

"With He Changan in front, whether the queen mother's move is a warning or not, I have only one way to die."

"I have been in the Supervisor of Ceremonies for several years, and I have done a lot of work for the Prime Minister. Now that the Queen Mother is moving me, it is obvious that I am biased towards the cabinet and does not suit her wishes. She is forbearing now, but it is for the emperor's wedding. When the concubine of the Hou family enters the palace, there will be another empress in the palace, and it will only be more difficult for us at that time."

Gao Yuanling spoke earnestly, looked at Ji Tongzhen who had been silent for a long time, and then showed a slight threat: "Does Xiangye think that I really don't have the power to protect myself? I just want to have a relationship with Xiangye for many years. It won't come to the point of burning jade and stone together, Master Xiang and the elders are all gold and jade, and the family is prosperous. Are you going to perish together with a servant like me who is alone and has no children?"

Ji Tongzhen smiled slightly: "Eunuch Gao, the old man does things for the country and the people, even if there are some irregularities, it is for the overall situation, not for self-interest, even before the emperor, the old man is also worthy of admiration Eunuch, don’t worry, this matter will not come to an end, I will show you a clear path, for the present plan, there is only one person who can save Eunuch.”

Gao Yuanling was stunned, Ji Tongzhen slowly cupped his hands upwards and said, "For the current plan, only the emperor can save you."

Gao Yuanling was surprised at first, but then thought deeply: "What does the father-in-law mean?"

Ji Tongzhen said: "The emperor dives into the abyss, young and intelligent, you also saw it a few days ago, An Guogong, the elder of the three dynasties, supported the emperor's personal administration. The emperor has faintly been able to fight against the empress dowager. Why don't Mr. Gao tell the truth and ask the emperor for forgiveness?" In short, since the emperor has given the order, our cabinet will naturally follow the order, and the queen mother can do nothing to you."

Ji Tongzhen said slowly: "The emperor is single and weak. If the palace has the help of the father-in-law, the day of pro-government is just around the corner. Therefore, if the father-in-law is sincere, the emperor will pardon you and protect you."

Gao Yuanling's heart suddenly brightened, and he bowed deeply and said, "I dare not forget the kindness of Ji Xiang's guidance, but there is one thing that still needs my help. Now I am afraid that something will change once I enter the palace, and I still need Ji Xiang's help." Holy talent."

Ji Tongzhen calmly said: "This matter is simple, the emperor will come to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow to listen to the scriptures, and I will arrange for you to meet the saint."

As soon as Gao Yuanling heard that it was indeed the day for the lecture, the Empress Dowager might not be able to be placed in the Imperial Academy, so she made up her mind slightly: "Yuanling's little life depends entirely on the Prime Minister."

The next day, as expected, Xiao Yan was wearing a black uniform like before, and led the academicians of the Imperial Academy to listen to the lectures of the Great Confucianism in the Mingxin Hall of the Imperial Academy.

Today I was still talking about "The Book of Rites". After finishing the first chapter, Xiao Yan retreated to the inner hall to rest before sitting down and picking up the teacup.

Xiao Yan looked up and was startled: "Why did Eunuch Gao come to do the tea pouring himself?"

Gao Yuanling had never poured tea for Xiao Yan before, and at this moment he heard a hint of sarcasm from the mouth of the little emperor, so he could only honestly pour tea for Xiao Yan, then put the teapot, stepped back, and saluted : "The slave asked to see the emperor today because he wanted to ask the emperor to forgive the slave." After finishing speaking, he kowtowed again.

He thought that after saying this sentence, the little emperor must be surprised and questioned.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan was silent for half a day, as if he didn't hear it.

Gao Yuanling pressed his forehead against the cold floor and made this humble gesture. He only felt that it was extremely difficult and humiliating, but he gritted his teeth and thought about hiding his courage and revenge in the future. He just waited for a while, and always The emperor did not speak.

He couldn't help but looked up slightly, but saw Xiao Yan on the top, who had already put the teacup, but was leaning on the soft couch with a book and reading.

There was a strange feeling in his heart, and he slightly raised his voice: "I beg the emperor to forgive me!"

Xiao Yan looked down at the book, nonchalantly: "What is the crime of Eunuch Gao?"

Gao Yuanling's heart suddenly trembled. Could it be that the emperor knew that the queen mother wanted to kill him?

He said in a trembling voice: "The slave has offended the empress dowager. The empress dowager is going to kill me now. I just ask the emperor to see the slave serve you for a while, and to forgive my sin. From now on, the slave will be smashed to pieces. I will never die. I will repay the emperor's deep kindness!"

Xiao Yan was surprised and said: "The Empress Dowager wants to kill you? What did you do? How could she kill you without a judge?"

Gao Yuanling said: "The empress dowager wants the daughter of Chengenhou's mansion to be the queen, but the servant feels that the emperor is controlled by the empress dowager and under the control of Chengenhou's mansion, so he supports the opinions of the ministers in the cabinet and chooses a good family to serve in the palace. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager found out about this matter, and she was very dissatisfied. First, He Changan was questioned for no reason, and a confession was obtained through torture. Now, He Changan’s life and death are unknown, and the Empress Dowager is still not satisfied. She still wants to continue to question me. Yesterday, I ordered someone to give me wine The slave was poisoned, and his life was fatal. Fortunately, he did not die. Your Majesty, I beg the Emperor to protect me, and I beg the Emperor to give me an order to pardon the slave!"

Xiao Yan smiled playfully: "So, Eunuch Gao is loyal to me."

Gao Yuanling said: "From now on, this servant will work hard for the emperor, and will be smashed to pieces, there will be no excuses!"

Xiao Yan was silent again, the hall was extremely dull, Gao Yuanling felt an unspeakable sense of oppression, his forehead was pressed against the floor, and he thought in humiliation and surprise, when did the thin and submissive little emperor in the past turn out to be so aggressive? majesty?

Xiao Yan finally spoke: "Eunuch Gao, do you still remember Wei Cuiniang?"

Gao Yuanling's clothes were suddenly wet with sweat: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! At that time, the slaves listened to the Queen Mother's orders, it wasn't intentional!"

There was a slight sneer at the corner of Xiao Yan's mouth: "I came to the capital from the vassal to enter the palace. I was young at the time. When I arrived in a strange place, I depended on my wet nurse to take care of and comfort me. Eunuch Gao, you used Wei Shi to separate me from my mother's relationship. In front of me, Webster was killed with a stick."

Gao Yuanling's hands were trembling slightly, the emperor had kept a grudge for so many years!How old was he then?

Xiao Yan said indifferently: "You deliberately killed the nurse in front of the five-year-old Zhen's rolling stick, didn't you just want me to obey you and be afraid of you?"

"" Now, you want me to forgive you? "

Gao Yuanling deeply touched his forehead to the floor, these words filled him with despair.

"You are deeply favored by the empress dowager and me. You have been in the court of ceremonies for many years. You are arrogant and paranoid. You are negligent and arrogant. man of."

"If it wasn't for the empress dowager's sake, I would have dealt with you long ago, yet you still dare to come to me, beg me for forgiveness, and give you a way out?"

Gao Yuanling gritted his teeth, and stopped explaining the old things, but suddenly said loudly: "Your Majesty, this slave deserves to die! But the life of this slave is fine, the emperor can take it away whenever he wants, but the emperor needs manpower now, and the slave is willing to kill you!" Serving the emperor! This slave is willing to be the emperor's dog, and I can bite whoever the emperor asks me to bite! This slave is willing to be the emperor's knife, and whoever the emperor wants to kill, this slave will never dirty the emperor's hands! I only hope that the emperor will leave this slave with a humble life. The servant still has many secret and illegal affairs of the ministers of the cabinet, the frontier generals, and the honorable officials of the court, and the servant can hand it over to the emperor, and from then on they will listen to the emperor and serve the emperor!"

Gao Yuanling played all his cards and raised his face with a look of madness and excitement. He didn't believe that the little emperor was still indifferent!Just give him a turn, just give him a chance to turn over!

He stepped forward and wept bitterly, knocked his forehead on the ground, and blood spattered out: "Your Majesty! This slave has so little property, and all the wealth and shops can be used as the emperor's internal treasury. Listening to secrets, arresting assassins, everyone can die for the emperor!"

The hall was still very quiet, Xiao Yan smiled softly: "It turns out that Eunuch Gao used such means to coerce the court ministers, and I have opened my eyes."

Gao Yuanling sobbed: "From now on, this slave will be the emperor's vicious dog!"

Xiao Yan spat lightly: "Are you worthy?"

He stood up and said slowly: "I am the king, how can I rule the country with the means of a villain like you? You look down on me too much."

Gao Yuanling lay limp on the ground, Xiao Yan glanced at him indifferently, and walked out with a flick of his sleeves.

After going out and turning the aisle, Xiao Yan saw Ji Tongzhen, and Ji Tongzhen bowed deeply in salute.

Xiao Yan glanced at him, and said indifferently: "In the past, Taifu Gao recommended Ji Qing as Prime Minister because Qing's family is loyal to the country, diligent in handling affairs, wise and talented, I only hope that Ji Xiang will take care of himself."

Xiao Yan paused, Ji Tongzhen listened with bated breath, not daring to lift his head.

"Be cautious in the end as in the beginning."