Chapter 2 Brother

After Ming Huazhang came in, the atmosphere in the room changed. Ming Shuo, who had been leaning in her mother's arms, sat properly, trying to act like a dignified lady; Ming Yu still leaned against Old Madam Ming to show her filial piety, but her movements and expressions were obviously more varied, almost wanting to call her a filial daughter.

Needless to say, the maids all looked shy and smiling, and couldn't help looking at Ming Huazhang again and again. Only Ming Huachang still had that salted fish look on her face, as if she was in a state of panic, and she yawned quietly when no one was paying attention.

After so many years, she has gotten used to it.

Dragon and phoenix twins are always a good omen. After the Ming family gave birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix twins, the news spread quickly. Almost every time a guest came, she and Ming Huazhang would be called out to greet the guests. Other ladies envied her for having a brother who was a dragon and phoenix twin. In fact, Ming Huashang and Ming Huazhang were not familiar with each other.

Ming Huashang had never seen her mother, and Ming Huazhang was taken away to the outer courtyard to be raised at an early age. Ming Huashang had almost no memory of her and Ming Huazhang playing together. They only met when they paid respects to their elders, and they were not much closer than ordinary cousins.

This was not because the Duke of Zhenguo treated them differently. On the contrary, he was extremely tolerant to them, giving them everything they wanted in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation. He was also generous in their education, and spent a lot of money to hire the best teachers to teach them the six arts of a gentleman and the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting. He was determined to cultivate them into humble gentlemen and talented ladies, and become role models among the dragon and phoenix twins.

But they showed completely different personalities. The elder brother Ming Huazhang was diligent and self-disciplined. After finishing his studies, he took the initiative to ask for extra classes. He was proficient in everything from the Four Books and Five Classics, the Six Arts of a Gentleman to riding and archery and martial arts. Ming Huashang was very good at forgiving herself. She would learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework and women's sewing if she could, but let it go if she couldn't. The Duke of Zhenguo didn't have the heart to force his daughter, and often when Ming Huashang acted coquettishly, he would soften his heart.

Thus, under such doting, Ming Huazhang grew up to be a talented man with both civil and military talents, famous in the capital, and the dream lover of half of the girls in Chang'an and Luoyang; while Ming Huashang grew up to be a salted fish.

Ming Huashang was puzzled before, how could there be such a big difference between the same brother and sister? Now she understood that it was her problem. She didn't realize that the real daughter Su Yuji behind her was also a talented woman.

Ming Huachang was lost in thought and didn't notice that he yawned a little too loudly. Ming Huazhang greeted Old Madam Ming and sat down. The maid served him tea and water attentively. When she put down the teacup, he nodded lightly in thanks, but his dark jade eyes swept over her without any fluctuations.

This was just due to his upbringing, and it made no difference whether the person serving him tea was a man, a woman, or even an animal. He was as cold as a piece of jade, and even in such a warm and fragrant environment, he was still cold. But when he glanced at the girl opposite him, his eyes froze and his eyebrows slightly wrinkled.

Because of Ming Huazhang's actions, everyone in the room looked towards Ming Huashang.

Ming Huashang was yawning quietly. She had hardly slept all night. The charcoal fire in Madam Ming's room was burning brightly. She was intoxicated by the warm fragrance and became more and more sleepy. But she was still paying respects. It would be too embarrassing to be found drowsy. Ming Huashang pinched herself hard to remind herself not to doze off. Then she looked up and found that everyone was looking at her.

Ming Huashang's expression froze. She looked around carefully and blankly, and her eyes met Ming Huazhang's.

She had just yawned, her eyes were wet, and she looked like a frightened deer trying to play dead. Ming Huazhang looked away without making a sound, and Madam Ming spoke slowly in silence: "Second Mother, what's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

What you fear is bound to happen. Ming Huashang forced a smile and said, "No, I just had a nightmare and I'm a little dazed. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, grandma."

Madam Ming didn't really care about these details, but since it was mentioned, she couldn't help but ask a few more questions in front of Ming Huazhang: "What kind of nightmare is it? Is it serious? Do you want me to prescribe some medicine?"

Ming Huashang's face turned bitter when she heard that she had to take medicine, but she must not do that. She was most afraid of taking medicine now. Ming Huashang politely declined the kindness of Mrs. Ming: "Thank you, grandma, there is no need to bother. I will go back and take a nap."

Madam Ming also knew that Ming Huashang was a simple-minded person, but she was generous, especially in eating and sleeping well. She nodded calmly and did not pursue the matter any further, but looked at Ming Huazhang on the other side: "Erlang, Princess Taiping wants to hold a banquet in Feihong Garden, what do you think?"

Ming Huazhang is the only son of Duke Zhenguo, but he has an older brother who died young, so he is ranked second.

Ming Huazhang nodded and said calmly, "My grandson knows. I heard that the empress has shown mercy this time and allowed the princes to leave the palace to attend the banquet. My grandson wants to go to the banquet to see a little bit."

Ming Huazhang was willing to go, which was exactly what Old Lady Ming wanted, but she didn't know that the crown prince's sons were also going.

The Crown Prince was kept under house arrest by the Empress for more than ten years. Even his children were not treated well and were locked up in the palace without any contact with the outside world. It seemed that Princess Taiping was so favored that the Empress showed her mercy.

Even if the person leaving the palace was not the crown prince, but only his son, it would be enough.

Madam Ming asked: "Which princes are they?"

"Prince Linzi and Prince Baling."

Madam Ming said "oh", not knowing whether she was disappointed or relieved: "Where is the emperor's grandson?"

Ming Huazhang sat upright, his slender hands resting on his knees, his skin extremely white against the crimson round-collared robe. He sat upright beside the sandalwood table, like a jade statue shining in the background: "The emperor's grandson must stay in the palace to fulfill his filial duties, and cannot leave."

Madam Ming nodded slowly. She subconsciously pondered the meaning of the Queen's move. However, their Queen had been Queen for 28 years, Queen Mother for 4 years, and Emperor for 10 years. Her mind was deeper than the sea. Madam Ming really couldn't understand the Queen's intention. She sighed and said, "Forget it. It's a rare opportunity to relax at the end of the year. Just think of it as going to meet some people of the same age and relax."

Madam Ming gave up trying to figure out the Empress' intentions. How could she do that when so many prime ministers and ministers could not see through her? Madam Ming consoled herself by thinking that even if the Empress did not intend to reinstate the Crown Prince, it would be good for Ming Huazhang to get to know some young talents and pave the way for his future career in government.

However, as an old minister of Emperor Gaozong's reign, Old Lady Ming felt miserable as she could not see Prince Li gain power.

The story of how the Ming family came to this point can be traced back to more than ten years ago, when King Wu of Zhou usurped the Tang Dynasty.

The current empress was originally the wife of Emperor Gaozong. Later, she seized the throne from her son and ascended the throne herself. After she ascended the throne, the original Li royal family became a thorn in her side that shook her rule. From Chuigong to the early years of Tianshou, the old royal family was almost slaughtered, and her son, the former emperor who once ascended the throne but was pulled down by her and is now the crown prince, became an extremely embarrassing existence.

The Crown Prince had been filial to his mother in the palace for more than ten years. The ministers outside wanted to see him but were afraid to see him. The Empress finally gave in and was willing to let the Crown Prince's son out for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, the one who came out was not the Crown Prince's eldest son, but the third son, Prince Linzi, and the fourth son, Prince Baling.

He is neither the eldest nor the legitimate heir, and cannot represent the crown prince at all. What is the point of him attending the banquet?

The Ming family of Zhenguogong is a descendant of Emperor Taizong's generation. They have had close ties with the royal family for many years and have made great contributions. Ming Huaiyuan even served as a bodyguard for Crown Prince Zhanghuai.

This was a sure path to success, but who could have known that a female emperor would suddenly appear and ruin the future of the Ming family. Old Madam Ming sighed again. The Ming family had been defeated. In recent years, the Duke of Zhenguo had become a marginal figure in the court, leading some hard and tiring work without any reward. He did not even come back for the New Year this year.

The family was in a bad state, and only seeing her young grandson Huazhang could make Old Lady Ming feel relieved. Old Lady Ming said to Ming Huazhang, "I am an old man, and I am too lazy to bother. Erlang, you should take Erniang to Feihongyan. It is snowing on the mountain, and the road is probably not easy to walk on. You should be careful."

There was nothing objection to Ming Huazhang attending the banquet on behalf of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, but Old Madam Ming specially arranged for Ming Huashang to go as well, which was naturally a consideration.

First, they were a perfect match, which was a good omen and would please the superiors. Secondly, the Manchu dynasty was about to face a storm, and Old Lady Ming did not want to put pressure on them in advance, but she had to prepare the way. She let Ming Huazhang make connections among the men, and Ming Huashang go to the women to get information. It was a perfect position, neither too enthusiastic nor too open to criticism. As for why she didn't send other granddaughters... Of course, it was because Ming Huashang was honest enough and would not have any improper thoughts.

This banquet will last for three or four days, so many young girls will be feasting and having fun in the mountains. If the daughter of the Ming family and a prince get involved in something, old lady Ming will be furious.

Ming Huazhang agreed with his arms folded. He glanced at Ming Huashang and did not hide his disapproval: "Thank you for reminding me, Grandmother. But if she goes with us..."

Ming Huashang raised her head subconsciously and met Ming Huazhang's eyes.

Ming Huazhang lived up to his name of Jade Young Master, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and gently pursed lips, he was a very outstanding person. But at this moment, his eyes were filled with scrutiny and criticism, like a handful of hard-to-please snow, making people feel that his arrogance and laziness were justified.

The pair of eyes in her dream suddenly flashed through Ming Huachang's mind.

At that time, he still looked aloof and distant, but when everyone was pointing fingers at her, he was the only one who stood up and said to the Duke of Zhenguo who was determined to drive her away: "She did nothing wrong. The fault lies with the Su family, not her. How can a powerless girl like her protect herself outside? Let her stay in the Duke's Mansion."

Ming Huashang felt that based on his words, she was willing to believe that he was not the one who killed her. When Ming Huashang was about to say no, she suddenly interrupted Ming Huazhang and said, "I want to go to Feihong Banquet to broaden my horizons. Can you take me with you, second brother?"

Ming Huashang is now like a frightened bird. She doesn't know who wants to kill her, and she doesn't know what killed her. She can't help but start examining everyone around her.

The second wife was born out of wedlock, of a lower status but with a proud and arrogant heart, and looked down on her whom they considered an embroidered pillow. The third wife was the youngest legitimate son of Madam Ming, and was very favored. Ming Shuo was brought up to be arrogant and wanted the best of everything, so even though Ming Huashang was easy-going, she and Ming Shuo had many frictions.

Before the dream, Ming Huachang only thought that it was normal for a family to have quarrels, as it was common for teeth to hit tongues. But now, the once harmless quarrels have become murderous, and the second aunt, the third aunt, the eldest sister, the third sister, and the cousins ​​all seem to be the potential murderer.

There are also the servants and stewards in the Duke's Mansion... Before she thought about it carefully, Ming Huashang thought she had a good relationship with people, but now, she was shocked to find that she seemed to have offended many people.

In the huge mansion, Ming Huashang only dared to trust Ming Huazhang. Now that the Duke of Zhenguo was out suppressing bandits and had not returned, and Ming Huazhang was going out for a banquet, how could Ming Huashang dare to stay alone in the mansion?

Even if she has to go through fire and water, she will follow Ming Huazhang out!