Chapter 123123 The Palace
Zhao Zong's departure did not bring any negative impact to the Zhao family.
As long as Zhao Mingde is around, Zhai Zining will never lose power.
Zhao Zong had been executed in front of all the people in the capital.
The parents of the murdered women cried bitterly, not knowing that most of them had only agreed to settle the matter in exchange for money.
There were also people who really didn't know that their daughter had been murdered, and they just wanted to chop Zhao Zong to pieces with a knife.
Su Yan specifically mentioned this matter to Shi Er. The government provided compensation to the families of the victims, but excluded those who had already accepted the money from Zhao Zong.
Neither Zhao Qiujin nor Zhai Zining was present at the execution.
Firstly, they couldn't cause trouble for Zhao Mingde. If they went, people would think that the matter was related to Zhao Mingde.
Secondly, they themselves don't want to go.
Zhai Zining was deeply hurt by Zhao Zong, so naturally he was unwilling to go.
As for Zhao Qiujin, Zhao Zong actually treated her very well.
Zhao Zong was not a competent husband, but he was definitely a competent father.
When Zhao Qiujin discovered that Zhao Mingde was extremely cruel to others, she went to ask Zhao Zong.
At that time, Zhao Zong put on the most depressed expression. He told Zhao Qiujin that the situation was turbulent and he was helpless.
Zhao Qiujin thought Zhao Zong was forced and felt sorry for her father.
She went to ask Zhai Zining again, and Zhai Zining just sighed and told her that Zhao Mingde was very good to them and they could not betray him.
Zhao Qiujin thought that her father and mother were just like her, caught in the middle and were all suffering.
Until she realized that Zhao Zong might have a woman outside.
That day in the painting studio, Zhao Qiujin witnessed the most unbearable scene of her father.
Officials who often interacted with my father gathered in the painting studio, accompanied by beautiful women.
Zhao Qiujin found her father in a side room. He was making love with Chen Yu, and the scene was in a mess.
Chen Yu was only a few years older than Zhao Qiujin.
This scene shattered the image of her father in Zhao Qiujin's mind. Zhao Qiujin could not face him now, let alone see him on the execution ground.
If I feel sad, I feel like I am doing something unfair to those girls.
But if she wanted to not be sad, she couldn't do it.
The mother and daughter simply hid in the house to avoid being thrown away.
After Zhao Zong died, Zhai Zining brought his body back. They were unable to hold a grand burial for him and could only bury him hastily. Zhao Qiujin didn't even dare to wear mourning clothes in front of outsiders.
These days, Zhao Qiujin either accompanied her mother or went out to visit Su Yan. When she returned home, her mother was packing.
Zhao Qiujin asked curiously, "Where are you going?"
"My uncle said that the forces opposing him have been growing stronger recently. The soldiers under General Shi may have already entered the capital. He asked us to hide in the palace and not become their handle. You should go and pack your things too."
Zhao Qiujin didn't know whether Shi Yangui's people had already arrived in Beijing, and Shi Yangui would not tell Zhao Qiujin about this.
However, Changwei’s army had to guard the border. Even if he returned to Beijing, he could not bring more than a few thousand men. In terms of numbers, he was no match for the imperial guards.
Zhao Qiujin asked tentatively: "They shouldn't be able to cause any trouble, the number of imperial guards far exceeds theirs."
"They are well-trained soldiers who have killed enemies on the battlefield. How can the Imperial Guards compare? The training of the Imperial Guards has been slack in recent years. My uncle said that the situation this time is different from the past. You should pack up as soon as possible. Once you have packed up, we will enter the palace together."
"Enter the palace...Okay, I'll go pack it now!"
Unless there was something important, Zhao Mingde would not leave the palace. At most, he would go to his private residence outside the palace.
In the past, whenever Zhai Zining wanted to visit him, he would bring Zhao Qiujin into the palace.
For others to enter the palace, they always had to find a name, which was very difficult, but for Zhai Zining and Zhao Qiujin, it was easy to enter the palace.
Others said that Zhao Mingde doted on Zhai Zining like his own daughter, and in Zhao Qiujin's opinion, that was indeed the case.
Zhao Mingde brought Li Fulai to meet Zhai Zining.
Li Fu followed Zhao Mingde with his back bent. Seeing the carriage approaching from afar, he could not help but say, "Master, I heard that Miss Zhao always hangs out with the young prince. The young prince is theirs."
Zhao Mingde said: "Xiao Qiu is still a child, her ideas are too naive, there is no need to bother with her. When she grows up, she will understand what is right and what is wrong."
Zhao Mingde's kindness to Zhai Zining has never changed.
Li Fu was a little jealous after all. He was Zhao Mingde's apprentice and served him wholeheartedly, but he was no match for Zhai Zining's words.
How many times do Zhao Mingde and Zhai Zining see each other in a year? It is obvious that he is always with Zhao Mingde.
But Li Fu did not dare to complain. He smiled and said, "Fortunately, Shi Yangui has left Beijing. Even if he left some men behind, without a commander, the people will be divided and the enemy will surely be defeated!"
Zhao Mingde looked at Li Fu coldly, "Are you just here to eat? Have you found out where Shi Yangui's men are hiding? You guard the city gates every day, but you still let people slip in?"
Li Fu felt very aggrieved. "Master, it's been a long time. Even if he only lets in five or six people a day, it's still a lot. Those who can enter the capital must have a certificate. It's not surprising that they want to come in and bring a pass."
Zhao Mingde snorted coldly, "Forget it, considering that Shi Yangui has already left Beijing, let's not talk about this matter anymore. We must send someone to check with Shi Yangui and confirm that he is returning to the Changwei Army! That dead man, he did me a favor!"
Li Fu knew that Zhao Mingde had long had connections with the Hu people.
When Yan Gui first showed his potential, Zhao Mingde was worried and contacted the Hu people privately.
The supervisors sent by the court to the Changwei Army were all eunuchs, but Shi Yangui often disobeyed the supervisors, and the soldiers under his command only recognized him, so the supervisors were useless.
Zhao Mingde asked the supervisor to leak Shi Yangui's attack plan to the Hu people. As a result, Shi Yangui was seriously injured and defeated, and disappeared for several days.
Zhao Mingde sent people to clean up Shi Yangui, but by accident, he discovered that Shi Yangui had a twin brother.
There is nothing wrong with sacrificing some of the interests of the Zhou Dynasty in exchange for their rule. Any emperor would do the same.
Right now, Zhao Mingde wants Shi Yangui to leave Beijing. As long as he waits until... everything will be settled.
The carriage stopped, and the maids helped Zhai Zining and Zhao Qiujin get off the carriage. Zhao Mingde glanced at Zhao Qiujin and whispered to Li Fu, "Keep an eye on her."
Li Fu nodded gently, "Don't worry."
Only then did Zhao Mingde walk towards Zhai Zining with a smile on his face.
Zhai Zining and Zhao Qiujin entered the palace under the pretext of visiting Concubine Lian.
This beautiful lady Lian was once a maid in Zhao Zong's mansion. Later, she was favored by the emperor and Zhai Zining took her in as his sister and sent her into the palace.
It was a pity that the emperor’s health had not been good since Lian Meilian had just entered the palace, and she was not favored very often. Zhao Mingde did not have the time to take care of an unfavored concubine, and Lian Meilian’s palace was very remote.
The entire harem was solemn.
The palace maids and eunuchs walked hurriedly, looking lifeless.
The concubines were not allowed to leave the palace at will and had to stay in the empty courtyard all day.
The queen was deprived of her power and imprisoned in the palace, having already lost her influence.
The only lively place in the harem was Concubine De’s palace. The emperor was still staying in Changle Palace.
If the emperor passed away, these unfavored concubines of low rank would not have an easy life either. They would spend their whole lives with Buddhas and green lamps, and there was no hope for them. Even the beauties would be worried every day.
In front of Zhai Zining, Lian Meiren was already that little maid. She helped Zhai Zining walk into the main hall and said, "I really don't know what to do."
Zhai Zining said: "The emperor is serious..."
She didn't say the rest of the sentence.
Lian Meiren understood what she meant and nodded slightly.
"But the last time Qiu Jin entered the palace, she clearly saw the emperor talking to Concubine De."
Lian Meiren smiled bitterly and said, "We also met the emperor that day. I'm afraid that Eunuch Zhao wanted to silence the gossips."
Zhai Zining frowned, "Is that general really that powerful that he could scare my uncle so much?"
Zhao Qiujin suddenly interrupted and said, "I'm afraid it's not just that Shi Yangui is powerful, but that the emperor will soon die. From now on, what he says can no longer represent what the emperor says. He..."
"Qiu Jin!" Zhai Zining scolded, "It's fine if you can't hold back at home, but what kind of place is this?! Go to the side hall and rest!"
Zhao Qiujin pursed her lips and left with a few maids.
But she was not unhappy. After entering the side hall, she left only one maid and drove everyone else out.
After making sure that no one was in the side hall, Zhao Qiujin excitedly waved to the maid, "Quickly teach me, how can you use rouge and powder to completely change a person's appearance?!"
Su Yan, who was wearing a cute maid outfit: "..."
When Zhao Qiujin heard Zhai Zining say that he wanted to enter the palace, she immediately notified Su Yan. They must want to enter the palace now.
Su Yan agreed readily, and since Shi Yangui was not there, no one stopped her.
"It's a pity that we can't bring the servants in. It would be inappropriate if we really did. Do you think Yun Xing and Yun Zhou can get in?"
If he could easily sneak into the palace, Yan Gui wouldn't have to be so anxious in the past.
Su Yan said: "Don't worry, they can still pretend to be eunuchs."
When Zhao Qiujin thought of the two pretending to be eunuchs, she couldn't help laughing, "We should ask the young prince to come over. It will be a good scene if the three of them get together."
Su Yan stood up and looked around the side hall.
The palace was indeed full of fun stuff. Even beauties were not favored, but the armchairs in the side hall, the eight-immortals table, and the various antique vases on the shelves all looked quite valuable and luxurious.
The imperial palace is the center of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and Su Yan was truly enlightened.
Zhao Qiujin asked in a low voice: "Did Shi Yangui really bring many people to Beijing?"
Su Yan said: "How could they inform me when they were doing something? But there should be quite a few people. He gave me some instructions before leaving Beijing."
Zhao Qiujin sighed, "The world is about to change. I don't know what will happen to my mother or me."
After Zhao Mingde's downfall, the mother and daughter will probably have a hard time living.
But that's the reality. No one can hold power throughout his life, especially a eunuch.
Among the powerful eunuchs in history, is there any one who had a good ending?
Zhao Qiujin said, "Lady Lian said we can't leave the palace at will. I'll go talk to my mother about going to the Imperial Garden together. At least we can take a look around. Do you want to put some powder on your face?"
Su Yan took her rouge and powder and went to the dressing mirror to fix herself.
She put a lot of effort into this face, and she did the makeup according to the maidservants around Zhao Qiujin. Fortunately, she had secretly learned a little bit when she was a forensic doctor, otherwise she would not be able to cope with it.
After finishing her makeup, Zhao Qiujin begged Zhai Zining to let her go out. Zhai Zining couldn't persuade her, so he specifically told her not to go to Changle Palace before letting her go out for a while.
Lian Meiren was still worried. "I seldom go out on weekdays. After the queen was confined, I didn't even have to pay respects. But since you are here, Eunuch Zhao should understand. I will go with you to prevent you from taking the wrong road."
The palaces in the imperial palace are solemn and majestic, the black columns are dignified and the halls are vast.
There were continuous dark clouds in front of the sunlight, and the light cast was also gray. There was no rain, only a sad color.
Occasionally, there were palace maids walking on the blue brick road with their heads down, they walked carefully close to the high wall. Most of them were surprised when they saw Lian Meiren, but they did not dare to look at her for too long.
Seeing this, Lian Meiren felt even more sad.
The center of the Great Zhou Dynasty is devoid of human touch.
Whether before or after the change, it was despair for her.
Zhao Qiujin asked: "Why did Your Majesty stay in Changle Palace?"
Although Defei of Changle Palace had a high position, she was not favored.
Even if the emperor stayed in the harem all year round, he should not stay in Changle Palace.
Lian Meiren whispered, "They refused to say anything, but I heard people talking privately, saying that Defei had saved His Majesty from disaster. It seemed that His Majesty had a problem with his diet, and might have been poisoned. Defei tasted the poison first, and it took a long time to save him. Then His Majesty stayed in Changle Palace."
Su Yan’s current identity is a maid, she can only listen but not speak.
But she discovered a benefit: she could pass on a message to Zhao Qiujin—"Ask her about the poison."
Zhao Qiujin was at a loss for a moment.
Would even a beauty hear Su Yan’s reminder?
But when Zhao Qiujin turned around to look at Su Yan, she looked calm, and even the beauty did not show any strange expression.
Zhao Qiujin: “…”
Is she the one who is different?
Zhao Qiujin asked: "Someone wants to murder your majesty?"
Lian Meiren said, "Everyone guesses this, girl, don't tell anyone else."
"How could I tell this to outsiders?" Zhao Qiujin looked at Su Yan, "I don't know any outsiders."
Su Yan looked at her with a smile - "Ask if the poison is related to Zhao Mingde."
This time Zhao Qiujin saw clearly that although the voice was Su Yan's, she didn't even open her mouth!
So...she can do ventriloquism?!
Zhao Qiujin admired Su Yan more and more.
Look how awesome her friends are.
Zhao Qiujin asked Lady Lian according to Su Yan's instructions.
Lian Meiren shook her head repeatedly, "Eunuch Zhao was also troubled by this, but he didn't catch the person who poisoned the emperor. He also summoned Doctor Liu to the palace to treat the emperor. I have met Doctor Liu before, and he is the kindest doctor."
Zhao Qiujin was a little confused, she didn't know who Doctor Liu was.
Su Yan——"Did Imperial Doctor Liu come to Changle Palace?"
Zhao Qiujin mechanically repeated Su Yan's words.
"Of course, but I heard that something happened to him after he left the palace. I don't know what it was, and I haven't seen him since then."
Doctor Liu was silenced.
There were some things Su Yan couldn't figure out originally, but now he can understand some of them.
The few of them passed by a palace guarded by guards, and Su Yan's first reaction was that they had arrived at Changle Palace.
But Lady Lian whispered, "This is Ziyi Palace. Several beauties lived here in the past, but now it seems that only Lady Xu lives here."
"What about the others?"
"It has been moved to another palace."
"Lady Xu is very favored."
“Neither do I.”
The guards kept staring at them. Although the beauty was the master, she had no power at all. She pulled Zhao Qiujin and walked forward quickly.
Su Yan glanced at Ziyi Palace and felt strange.
Why did the unfavored concubine live alone in Ziyi Palace?
Lian Meiren and Zhao Qiujin took a casual stroll and then returned to the bedroom.
Zhai Zining had already gone to bed, and Zhao Qiujin also took Su Yan back to the side hall.
"Zhao Mingde must know that I will cause trouble. Maybe he has recognized you. We must be careful."
Although the palace was boring, the snacks were exquisite and delicious. Su Yan sat on a round stool and ate snacks, saying as he ate, "If the enemy comes to the palace, he shouldn't be afraid. He has just met me and it doesn't look like he recognizes me. But he will definitely have someone pay attention to your every move. We should not go out unless it is necessary."
"Why don't we go see His Majesty?" Zhao Qiujin whispered, "I'm also very curious about his current situation. If that day was really a last gasp of glory, then now he would have been..."
"Shh!"
Zhao Qiujin asked: "Are you still afraid?"
"This is the imperial palace, not your home," Su Yan whispered, "Maybe Li Fu is watching you right now."
Zhao Qiujin looked towards the partition door.
Although there was no one outside the door, Zhao Qiujin was still worried and kept her mouth shut.
Until dinner time in the evening, Yun Xing and Yun Zhou had not contacted Su Yan.
They said they would find an opportunity to sneak in disguised as eunuchs, but I don’t know if they will succeed, but it should be a bit difficult.
The next day, Zhao Qiujin found an opportunity to go out for a walk without taking Su Yan with her.
As soon as she left, Su Yan checked everywhere and found that a few eunuchs were missing.
Those people are now keeping an eye on Zhao Qiujin, which is quite convenient for her.
It was an extremely quiet day. Zhai Zining stayed in the bedroom to rest. Even the beauty had nothing to do. She would occasionally come out for a walk, but she would not leave the palace.
Only Zhao Qiujin was full of energy and wanted to run around the entire palace.
The sun gradually set, and the light seemed to be mixed with gold powder, falling on the palaces near and far.
The golden wheel in the palace always seems to like hiding behind the clouds, and the sunset glow is fleeting.
Su Yan lived with the maids and had to go to bed early.
It was late at night and Su Yan had already fallen asleep when he suddenly heard the sound of orderly footsteps.
In the palace, she had to remind herself to stay alert at all times and her sleep was not good.
Su Yan got up, put on his clothes, and sneaked to the door, where he saw groups of guards walking by.
They had not done so last night.
There was a shrill scream coming from the distance, which was particularly shrill.
Something happened.
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