Hu Hui’s words seemed to mean nothing, but the power they contained was stronger than any other words.
The friendship between the Supreme Emperor and Empress Duanjing is seen by everyone. Especially under the current situation, this never-ending friendship is even more precious to the Supreme Emperor.
Therefore, basically every time he saw someone coming from the capital, the Emperor would inevitably ask about Queen Duanjing's current situation.
However, no one's answers were as powerful as Hu Hui's few words.
What is the current situation of Queen Duanjing?
In fact, it goes without saying that everyone from Yuan Bin to Zhu Jian to Li Xian and others have explained the specific situation in great detail after constant questioning.
He knelt in front of the Buddha every day, chanted sutras non-stop, fasted and followed a vegetarian diet, and eagerly looked forward to the Emperor's early return to Beijing, even to the point where his legs became unable to walk.
At night, whether it was cold autumn rain or snowflakes were flying, she was not allowed to light a fire in the palace. She had to suffer with the Supreme Emperor to relieve her longing.
The Yikun Palace where her old man lived was always brightly lit night after night.
That was Empress Duanjing, looking at the far north, weeping silently. She had been depressed for a long time, and the tears kept flowing, making her almost unable to see with her left eye.
But even so, she still insisted on using her dignity as a queen, personally picked up the needle and thread, sewed pieces of clothing for the Supreme Emperor, and sent them to the bitter cold place in the north through various methods, for fear that the Supreme Emperor would freeze.
The Supreme Emperor knew all these details, so there was no need for Hu Hui to talk about them.
What he wants to do is to let the Emperor think for himself!
Therefore, he said that he only had one sentence...
"My queen, she has been praying in the palace day and night, looking forward to seeing you again soon."
This sentence is more important than a thousand words!
Zhu Qizhen suddenly felt a sore nose and almost shed tears.
All the loving scenes with Empress Qian in the past, the thick and fine clothes on her body, and the scenes of her staying with her day and night in the cold palace, all passed before his eyes.
At this time, Hu Hui spoke softly and said...
"Your Majesty, please go back with me."
At this moment, Zhu Qizhen almost blurted out the word "good".
However, he finally endured it.
The last letter on the case was from his biological brother, who was still the King of Tao when he left. Now he is the emperor's biological brother. The letter written to him made him stop what he was about to say.
His fist was clenched tightly, then released, then clenched, then released again, and again and again, Zhu Qizhen finally managed to hide the water in his eyes again.
He did not answer Hu Xi's words, but took a deep breath and tried hard to suppress the turbulent emotions in his heart.
Then, he raised his hand and opened the letter.
"My younger brother Qi Yu pays homage to my eldest brother, the Supreme Emperor."
The first thing I saw was this sentence.
Familiar regular Chinese characters, ordinary sentences, and even honorifics.
However, Zhu Qizhen felt extremely dazzling.
From "Chendi" to "Brother", this short word has a profound meaning.
Suppressing the inexplicable emotions in his heart, Zhu Qizhen continued to look down.
"... During the Tumu battle, the country was in decline. Unexpectedly, the eldest brother was left in captivity. The country was in danger. Fortunately, the eldest brother understood the righteousness and protected the country. He overcame all difficulties and sent an envoy from the captivity. He sent a message to his younger brother. Although I have little virtue, I am a prince.
The descendants of our ancestors dare not abandon the clan and ignore it."
"Today, my eldest brother is back. The ministers and the common people are having fun, and the palace is celebrating. I am eagerly looking forward to my eldest brother's return to the capital. The same is true for my younger brother. I live in the Nangong residence, are guarded by my own army, and sweep and serve. I am all doing it myself and preparing with all my heart. I look forward to my elder brother's return to the palace soon.
We are reunited and feel like a family in heaven."
"Unexpectedly, my eldest brother Tumu was so ashamed that he said he would return to the ancestral mausoleum. This is something I didn't expect. The eldest brother is the eldest brother and the younger brother is younger. The Supreme Being respects me and humbles me. I dare not say anything wrong about my eldest brother, but I hope
The eldest brother will return to Beijing as soon as possible, the brothers will meet each other, and the family will be happy..."
The letter was not too long, and it lacked the nagging of Empress Dowager Sun and the warmth of Empress Qian, but it seemed very respectful and at the same time polite and distant.
Zhu Qizhen could almost imagine his brother's impatient expression when he wrote this letter.
This made him feel inexplicably good.
After all, Zhu Qizhen has been trained as a prince since he was a child. In terms of political literacy, he is adequate.
It's just that he was young, energetic, arrogant, and looking at his father's achievements, he wanted to make him stronger than his ancestors, but he didn't expect that he would be infamy for the ages.
He knows very well that etiquette is his weapon.
In front of so many people, he said those words, almost forcing Zhu Qiyu into a dead end, leaving the latter with no other choice.
This letter actually makes it very clear.
The so-called "...do it yourself and prepare with all your heart..." sounds nice, but in fact, it contains a hint of threat.
But such a threat seems even more impatient.
If the threat can really come true, then killing with one strike is the best way.
What's more, the sentence "...the eldest brother is the eldest brother and the younger brother is the younger one. The Supreme Being respects me and humbles me. The younger brother dare not speak nonsense about the eldest brother's fault..." is enough to show the helplessness.
The meaning of this sentence is that if you, Zhu Qizhen, were not an elder, I would have ordered you to go to Fengyang long ago.
Such a letter would certainly make Zhu Qizhen happy.
Because his method worked!
Slowly closing the letter, Zhu Qizhen's mind had completely calmed down and he looked at Hu Huidao.
"Mr. Labor Hu went there in person. I feel very uneasy. I have received the letters from the Holy Mother and the Queen. Please reply to me, saying that I am very well, so that they don't have to worry."
"In addition, please be sure to ask the Queen to take care of yourself and take the medicine according to the imperial doctor's prescription. After a while, I will edit two letters and Mr. Hu will take them back for me."
"As for Marquis Ren, I still lack guards around me, so I will let him stay first..."
This was said very gently, but Hu Hui's heart sank.
Because the Supreme Emperor obviously had no intention of going back, otherwise, there would be no need for him to bring anything to say.
After pondering for a moment, Hu Hui said with a troubled face.
"Why is the Emperor like this? All the ministers, the Holy Mother, the Emperor, and the Queen are all looking forward to the Emperor's early return to the capital. I know that you are deeply saddened by the death of the officers and soldiers in Tumu. When you are paying homage to Tumu Fort, the Emperor in the palace,
He also fasted, bathed, and worshiped the heroic spirits in the Fengxian Hall."
"The Supreme Emperor and the Emperor have different intentions. However, when one is in the Xuan Mansion and the other is in the capital, they both think for the sake of the country and the country. I ask the Supreme Emperor to think twice and set off back to the capital with my old minister as soon as possible."
If you can't do it with emotion, you can only do it with reason.
In Hu Xi's view, the reason why the Supreme Emperor was so angry that he stayed in Xuanfu and did not want to return to Beijing was simply because he felt that he was being forced to go to Tumubao to pay homage to the officers and soldiers who died in the war. He felt that the emperor was deliberately humiliating him.
he.
What he said meant that the emperor had no such intention at all. The memorial ceremony was for the sake of the country, the country, and to appease the people.
You see, when you are offering sacrifices in Tumubao, the Emperor is also accompanying you in the Fengxian Hall, so don't be angry.
As expected, after saying these words, Zhu Qizhen's face looked much better.
However, this reminded him. When his eyes fell on Hu Hui, Zhu Qizhen's expression became cold again and he said.
"Speaking of this, I just received a note from the Ministry of Rites a few days ago. The great uncle is in charge of etiquette. I must have read it, right?"
Suddenly, even the title changed from the familiar "Mr. Hu" to the business-like "Uncle Da Zong".
Of course Hu Xi had seen it, and there was his signature on the note.
Faced with this unkind question, Hu Xi's face stiffened. Unexpectedly, he still did not fool him. However, after all, he had been in officialdom for many years and had served five generations of emperors. He had never seen anything like this.
After just a moment, Hu Hui calmed down, sighed and said.
"Your Majesty, I have seen it."
Zhu Qizhen was a little surprised by this frank attitude.
However, it was just an accident. How could such a major event as the welcoming ceremony be bypassed by Hu Hui, the Minister of Rites?
This was the right thing to do, but Hu Hui simply accepted it, saving him a lot of effort.
Zhu Qi said with a sneer.
"Sir, you'd better go back. I said before that I will wait for the imperial edict in the Xuan Mansion. I will set off on the day when the edict arrives."
Faced with such an obvious order to expel guests, Hu Hui still stood where he was, without moving or speaking.
As a result, Zhu Qizhen felt more and more angry, feeling that Hu Hui was relying on his seniority and ignoring his words.
The more this time comes, the more sensitive he becomes to this kind of thing.
Just when Zhu Qizhen felt that his patience had reached the limit and wanted to speak out again, he saw Hu Xi kneeling down silently and said.
"The Supreme Emperor, I originally wanted to wait until you returned to Beijing before talking about it, but now it seems that I am afraid there is no chance."
One sentence aroused Zhu Qizhen's interest, causing him to stop talking and look at Hu Hui's old face coldly, wondering what tricks he was playing.
Hu Hui paused for a moment, then kowtowed three times on the ground respectfully, not as neatly and gracefully as Ren's ceremony just now.
However, there is a sense of old age, sadness and loneliness.
Straighten up, Hu Xi bows again, kowtows again, bows again, kowtows again...
Stubborn and serious!
Three bows and nine kowtows are the most formal etiquette!
His attitude is respectful, his movements are gentle and meticulous, and even the most stringent etiquette officer cannot find any fault at this moment.
The atmosphere gradually became solemn due to Hu Hui's slow and firm movements.
Finally, Hu Hui raised his head, with a look of reminiscence on his old face, and said.
"Your Majesty, I still remember that the first time I saw you, the late emperor held you in his arms and sat on the dragon throne. He asked you if you could make the world peaceful as emperor one day. You were majestic and had a loud voice.
, replied, “Yes.”
"The late emperor asked again, if a man with the record of governing the country dares to kiss the Sixth Division to correct his sins? The answer is, yes! He looks heroic and has no doubts. The late emperor Longyan was very happy and ordered someone to take out the spare imperial robes.
, put it on your body, place you on the dragon throne, and make you shout long live."
"Old minister still remembers the proud look on the late Emperor's face at that time..."
As he spoke, Hu Hui laughed unconsciously, like a child, and said.
"At that time, Yang Shiqi was still alive, and he was standing next to him. Before the old minister could say anything, he hurriedly echoed the late emperor, saying that the book said that Tang Zhi's bravery and wisdom and Wu Wang's wisdom were both born from nature. I believe it now!
This is the foundation of Shengming Sect’s spiritual leadership!”
"This old guy..."
Hu Xi smiled more and more happily, as if the scene he described was right in front of him.
Zhu Qizhen was also a little emotional, but only a little.
He did have an impression of this incident, but firstly, he was still young at that time and did not have too deep feelings. Secondly, Hu Hu had already used this technique of recalling the past when he came here.
As the saying goes, if the same trick is used repeatedly, the effect will naturally become worse.
However, after all, this was the late emperor's business, and due to etiquette, it was not easy for Zhu Qizhen to interrupt.
Seeing that Hu Hui finally stopped talking, Zhu Qizhen said calmly.
"Hu Shangshu, there is no need to mention old things. Xuanfu is not close to the capital, so we should leave early."
Another eviction order.
Hu Hui let out a long sigh, and seemed to have become much older in an instant. He got up from the ground with some difficulty, but did not withdraw, but said.
"Your Majesty, I am old..."
"When I first met you, I was still in the prime of life. Now, you are as majestic and as heroic as the late emperor, but I am already gray-haired. You are probably seventy-five years old. Over the years, the old guys who are familiar with me are all
Everyone left."
"These days, I often feel low on energy. I originally thought that after you returned to the capital and finished the welcome ceremony, I would become an official and withdraw from the court." "But now..."
Hu Xi's expression was a little sentimental, and she paused for a moment without finishing her words.
However, what he wanted to say was actually understood by everyone present.
Now, the Emperor refuses to return to Beijing, the Emperor refuses to give in, and Mr. Hu is caught in the middle. It is really a dilemma.
"At the beginning, the late Emperor Yin Yin asked the minister, San Yang, and the British Duke to assist you well. Now, they have all gone, leaving only the old minister, ha..."
Visible to the naked eye, Hu Hui was a little depressed, but she still managed to squeeze out a smile and said.
"Your Majesty, since you don't want to go back, I don't dare to force you. However, I have not been able to fulfill any of the late emperor's instructions to assist the country and safeguard the Heavenly Family. I feel extremely ashamed in my heart."
"When I return to the capital, I plan to serve as an official. When I see you at the Xuan Mansion, it may be the last time I see the Supreme Emperor Tianyan. I wish you all my thanks to your majesty. I hope that your majesty will take care of your dragon body and return to the capital as soon as possible. If you can have peace in heaven,
, All the people are safe, I, this old man, will be able to have the face to see the late emperor after a hundred years."
After saying that, Hu Hui bowed solemnly again and said.
"Your Majesty, take care, I will retire."
Immediately, he took two steps back, staggered, and walked out of the door with a hint of loneliness, without any hesitation or waiting.
Zhu Qizhen was stunned for a while.
What Hu Xi said just now shocked him.
He even began to wonder if he had been a little too harsh on Hu Hui.
After all, it was his younger brother who made the final decision in the court, and even if Hu Hui, the Minister of Rites, disagreed, it would be difficult to stop him.
What's more, as Hu Hui said, what he shoulders is the great trust of the late emperor.
First, it is the great trust of the community, and then it is the trust of maintaining the harmony of the heavenly family.
The so-called harmony of the Tianjia means not only protecting Zhu Qizhen, but also protecting Zhu Qiyu.
After all, both of them are the heirs of the late emperor. As the only one of the five ministers who care about life, Hu Hui is caught in the middle, which is indeed quite difficult...
Zhu Qizhen thought of all this.
However, he still hesitated because he still had some doubts in his heart whether Hu Hui was using this to trick him just to get him to return to Beijing as soon as possible.
However, in the end, Hu Hui did not persuade him any more and just left, which made Zhu Qizhen feel empty.
He waved his hands feebly, signaling for everyone to leave. Zhu Qizhen's expression was very complicated...
An hour later, the sun had begun to set in the west, but Hu Hui did not stay in Xuan Mansion for the night.
He came and left just as quickly. He didn't even put down his luggage and was ready to rush back. The extra hour he stayed was just to wait for the Emperor's reply to the Holy Mother, Queen Duanjing and the Emperor.
Outside the gate of Xuanfu City, the commotion this time was much quieter. Because of Hu Hui's instructions, only Du Ning and a few other civil servants came out to see him off.
Before leaving, everyone's expressions were very complicated. Seeing Hu Hui getting on the carriage and about to set off, Li Xian finally couldn't help but asked.
"Uncle Zong, are you really going back like this? The Supreme Emperor..."
The curtain of the carriage was still not opened, but Hu Hui's voice came out, calmly without any ripples.
He said: "I tried my best."
So, the sound of the bells on the carriage was clear, and accompanied by the setting sun, it gradually moved away...
