"Father, my third brother has been tutoring me recently, and I can even recite the Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital." Zhong Mingrong said as he started to recite while shaking his head. "The late emperor died before he could complete his career. Today, the world is divided into three parts, and Yizhou is exhausted. This is truly a critical moment for survival. However, the ministers who guard the country are working tirelessly inside. The loyal and dedicated people are willing to sacrifice themselves outside..."
"Alright, alright, I got it," Zhong Zhiheng interrupted Zhong Mingrong with a smile. He then turned to look at Zhong Mingzheng who had been standing respectfully at the side, nodded and said in approval, "Not bad. You are acting more like a brother."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Brothers should be friendly and respectful to each other. This is what a son should do." Zhong Mingzheng bowed hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, lunch is ready." Bi Qiao came in and bowed.
The four of them went to the side hall to eat. After the meal, Zhong Zhiheng followed the third and fourth princes to the Yanxi Palace for a nap.
The two princes laughed and chatted in the Cining Palace for a long time. The Queen Mother was also tired, so Bi Qiao helped her take a nap.
"Your Majesty is going to the Yanxi Palace again." Bi Qiao took off the eight-treasure jade chrysanthemum hairpin from the empress dowager's hair bun and handed over the hot handkerchief while whispering.
Since His Majesty ordered to chop off all the Yutangchun in the palace, His Majesty rarely set foot in the Yanxi Palace. Later, because Concubine Zhao asked about the sacrifice ceremony for Queen Zhenxian in Cining Palace, His Majesty became more resentful of Concubine Zhao. Up to now, it has been more than a month since Concubine Zhao was summoned. But today, the Fourth Prince was really proud and invited Zhong Zhiheng to come over during a meal.
"All the fathers and mothers in the world love their children. No matter what Concubine Zhao did wrong, the Fourth Prince is so adorable. I love him very much, not to mention that he is the Emperor. There is nothing I can do about it," the Queen Mother wiped her face and sighed softly while applying rouge in front of the mirror. "Didn't I love my son the most back then?"
"But if His Majesty always goes to the Yanxi Palace, he will naturally favor Concubine Zhao, and favoring Concubine Zhao means favoring the Zhao family," Bi Qiao whispered, "The more His Majesty favors the Zhao family, the more he will hate the eldest prince, right?"
The prince paused, then continued to slowly paint his face. After a while, he slowly asked, "Has Pang Yi arrived?"
"Your Majesty, Pang Yi has arrived a long time ago," Bi Qiao said hurriedly, "As soon as the eldest prince got into trouble, the General Zhennan got the news and immediately released Pang Yi back to the capital. Now Pang Yi is waiting for your order, Your Majesty."
General Xu Chengjin of Zhennan was the nephew of the Empress Dowager and the elder brother of the late Queen Zhenxian.
"Wait a little longer," the Queen Mother stroked her gray and white hair, "Let's talk about it after the Double Ninth Festival."
Bi Qiao frowned: "But the eldest prince must have a hard time in Ningguta. If we don't send reliable people over soon, I'm afraid it will be hard for people to feel at ease!"
"Don't I know?" The Queen Mother took a sip of tea and said in a deep voice, "The Qixi Festival has just passed, and the sacrifice ceremony for Queen Zhenxian has just ended. Don't offend the Emperor at this time. Why does he hate the eldest prince? Others don't know, but you don't know it?"
"Yes, I was too anxious." Bi Qiao bowed.
"You are anxious, and I am anxious too, but Ningguta has just calmed down. Is it possible that our people will disturb the peace again?" The Queen Mother said slowly, sighing softly, "What will be the consequences if the emperor is unhappy? So let's wait a little longer and let Pang Yi hide well. Although he has been away from Beijing for more than ten years, he is not a stranger after all. Don't make him too conspicuous."
"Yes, I obey your command."
July 25, 2013
Ningguta
The summer in Ningguta is indeed short. It is only the end of July and the autumn wind is already blowing.
When Ah Chou got up early, he was still wearing only a thin summer shirt, but as soon as he went out, he felt something was wrong. He hurried back, rummaged through the boxes and finally found a thick coat to wear outside. Then, while buttoning his clothes, he walked towards Zhong Mingwei's room, thinking to himself that he had to change Zhong Mingwei's quilt to a thicker one tonight.
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