Ling Ruo shook his head and said: "At this time, the emperor can no longer retreat. Once he retreats, the officials will intensify their efforts in the future, pressing harder and tightening the power in his hands. Just like in the previous dynasty, the emperor's power was overshadowed by the cabinet ministers.
You just saw it, Li Qi and Qingfu pressed hard against the Ai family, until the Ai family sent Li Wenzhong to
After the incident in Suzhou was revealed, they were able to regain some control, so that they did not dare to be too presumptuous." After saying this, she added: "When the late emperor was still alive, his administration was strict, and those ministers did not dare to act rashly.
After the emperor succeeded to the throne, he was lenient and benevolent in his administration, which made them gradually start to act arrogantly. If they don't find a way to suppress them, it will be even worse in the future."
Hearing this, Yang Hai didn't know how to persuade him. After a while, he said: "Queen Mother, since you can't retreat, won't the situation have to continue in a stalemate?"
Shui Xiu interjected: "Yes, although the two adults have been scolded by you, the Queen Mother, I see that they are not willing to give in and have no intention of giving in."
"The reason why they dare to be so tough is partly because Zhang Guangsi led troops to encircle and suppress Jinchuan and Jinchuan. As long as Jinchuan and Jinchuan are pacified, I believe things will turn around."
Yang Hai frowned and said: "But I'm worried... Master Zhang is unwilling to do his best to calm the chaos, and even makes excuses to cause trouble to force the emperor to submit." He has been with Ling Ruo for many years and is quite good at guessing people's hearts.
Ling Ruo snorted coldly and said: "If Zhang Guangsi really does this, he is seeking death. As Ai Jia said just now, Zhang Guangsi is not the only one who can lead troops in the court!"
In the afternoon of New Year's Eve, Hongli came to Cining Palace to pay his respects. Ling Ruo told him about summoning Li Qi and Li Qi yesterday, and then said: "Try to keep an eye on Zhang Guangsi so that nothing really happens."
Hongli responded: "My son knows that he has arranged a supervisory army around him. As long as Zhang Guangsi does anything inappropriate, he will immediately report it to his son."
Ling Ruo nodded and said: "As a king, you should be lenient when you are lenient and be strict when you are strict. You must be able to grasp this degree; in addition... although Li Qi is very selfish, Li Wenzhong is indeed a good talent. If the emperor thinks it is suitable, he might as well
Transfer him to the capital to take over the post of Shuntian Fu Yin."
"My son will consider it." After saying this, Hongli said guiltily: "I just heard from Shui Xiu that the Queen had a headache again yesterday and asked you to work hard for your son. My son is really sorry."
Ling Ruo smiled warmly and said: "What are you talking about, mother and son? In short, you should do what you should do, and the emperor will definitely try to help you."
Hongli nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Queen Mother." After that, he said: "The weather is sunny today and there is no chill. Why don't you let your son help you go for a walk in the Imperial Garden? When you passed by just now, the plum blossoms there were in full bloom.
It’s extremely beautiful.”
Ling Ruo chuckled and said, "As for plum blossoms, how can the Imperial Garden have so many netted trees blooming so well?"
"Then my son will help you go to the net-making forest." As he said that, he helped Ling Ruo walk all the way to the net-making forest. Although it was a cold day, the sun was shining, so it didn't feel too cold.
Just as Ling Ruo said, the plum blossoms in the Netting Forest bloom better than those in the Royal Garden, with a faint fragrance floating around. You can't see the edges at a glance, but only the plum blossoms are full of eyes, which is really pleasing to the eye.
At this time, more than half a month has passed since the end of the epidemic. The haze that pervaded the palace has been swept away, replaced by the joy of the New Year. Silk red lanterns hanging in mid-air and Hongli can be seen everywhere in the palace.
The characters "福" written by one's own hands could be seen from time to time as palace attendants passed by holding things for the night banquet, their faces filled with the joy of celebrating the new year.
After a group of palace people paid their respects and left, Hongli said: "There is no time to invite the juggling troupe to the palace this year, so I'm afraid it won't be as lively as in previous years."
Ling Ruo smiled and said: "It is not easy for the imperial concubine to arrange things like this in a short period of time. Besides, the most important thing is that the whole family is in order. The rest is not important."
"That's what Huang'e Niang said." After saying this, Hongli added: "My minister plans to hold an annual ice-playing ceremony in Xiyuan Sanhai on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year."
"Bingxi..." Following these two words, Ling Ruo showed a nostalgic look, "The Ai family remembers that you got the late emperor's jade finger during the Bingxi competition."
Hongli said with a smile: "The emperor's memory is really good. Now that Yongzhang and the others have grown up, I plan to hold an ice-play competition to see which one of them can come out on top."
Ling Ruo nodded and said: "That's very good. I wonder if the emperor has thought of something to reward the winner?"
"My son hasn't thought about it for a while. I wonder what the emperor's mother proposes?" Faced with Hongli's inquiry, Ling Ruoxiao smiled and said: "The Ai family knows that the emperor has a Western pocket watch that he likes very much, so why not just use this as a gift?"
I believe that all the brothers and princes will be very interested in the reward."
"Is this what the Queen is talking about?" Hongli took out a pomegranate flower-shaped pocket watch from his arms. It was made of red translucent painted enamel. The gold bone watch was inlaid with 1,200 tiny pearls. It was exactly
These pearls inlay the watch case into the shape of petals. The craftsmanship is excellent and the decoration is exquisite and delicate. It is really a rare treasure.
Ling Ruo smiled half-heartedly and said: "Yes, but the emperor is reluctant to part with it?"
"My son is a little reluctant to let go, but the emperor's mother has spoken. Even if she is reluctant, she must obey." Hongli's words made Ling Ruo smile. After taking the pocket watch and looking at it carefully, she suddenly said: "
Has the emperor ever thought about choosing one among several princes to be the heir apparent, just like the late emperor did?"
Hongli's smile faltered, and then he shook his head and said: "Although Yongzhang and the others are good, they are still far from the prince in his son's heart. As for Yongxuan and the others, they are still young, so there is no clue; so the prince is
, My son wants to wait and see, my son is still in his prime now, so there is no need to rush, what do you say, Queen Mother?"
"The Ai family just asked casually, the emperor can take care of it himself." At this point, Ling Ruo sighed and said: "It's a pity that Yonglian, Yongcong and the others are not lucky. Although they are the legitimate sons, they have not died at such a young age.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be like this.”
Thinking of Yong Lian and the others, Hongli felt uncomfortable, but he was afraid that Ling Ruo would be sad and did not dare to show it. He pretended to be relaxed and said: "Let the past be bygones. Maybe his son will have another legitimate son soon."
, and even better than Yong Lian.”
Ling Ruo smiled and said casually: "If that's the case, it's great."
In fact, she knew in her heart that Hongli only wanted to make Xianyue his queen, and Xianyue was already past the best childbearing age, and had been given musk before. Being able to give birth to Changle back then was already a gift from God, so how could she do it again?
Conceiving a child, a legitimate son... is impossible after all, unless Hongli is willing to make someone else his queen.