"Yang Hai." Ling Ruo looked sideways at Yang Hai who was supporting him and said, "This apprentice of yours is very clever. That sentence not only told him what I wanted him to say, but also said it so accurately that Nian Gengyao didn't have any suspicion at all.
.”
"Master is so flattering. This boy is just a little clever." Yang Hai said this, and then said to the little eunuch behind him: "Why are you standing there in such a daze? Why don't you hurry up and thank your master."
Upon hearing this, the little eunuch hurriedly walked to Ling Ruo, knelt down, and said respectfully: "Slave Xiao Zhengzi thanks the master for the reward."
Ling Ruo nodded slightly, "Well, if you work hard with your master, I will still be able to rely on you in the future."
After Xiao Zhengzi retreated, Yang Hai supported Ling Ruo and walked slowly to Chengqian Palace. On the way, Ling Ruo saw that he was hesitant to speak and said: "But I wonder why I want Xiao Zhengzi to go to Chengqian Palace."
Zheng Zi goes to talk about this?"
Yang Hai said honestly: "Yes, I am really puzzled. Last time I heard my master mention it, the emperor had obviously followed my master's advice and changed the title of General Nian to the third-class auxiliary prince. He did not grant the title of king with a different surname."
Ling Ruo casually folded an unknown purple-blue flower and played with it, and said slowly: "Because the emperor refused to seal the title, I have to spread this message through Xiao Zhengzi's mouth. Yang Hai, do you think Nian Gengyao is a
What kind of person? You don’t need to be shy in front of me, but it doesn’t matter.”
Yang Hai agreed, thought about it carefully and said: "The fact that General Nian was able to pacify the northwest means that he is indeed outstanding in ability and has amazing talents. But after listening to what little Zhengzi said just now, I feel that General Nian is a little arrogant."
"Nian Gengyao is a very self-centered person and has extremely strong confidence in himself. This character is destined to make him stand out among ordinary people, but it also destined him to have a fatal flaw - self-righteousness.
"Ling Ruo
He lowered his head and smelled the flowers that exuded a faint fragrance, and continued: "Based on his military exploits in pacifying Luo Bu Zang Danjin, it is not an injustice to be granted a third-class title. Without Xiao Zhengzi's words, Gengyao would have done the same in the coming year.
Very happy. It’s a pity..."
Hearing this, Yang Hai had already reacted. When Ling Ruo deliberately slowed down his speech, he took over and said, "It's a pity that the master made him think that the emperor would give him the title of king with a different surname."
"That's right." With a flick of his finger, the flowers fell to the ground and were stepped on mercilessly by the flowerpot-soled shoes. "In this way, when the emperor told him that he would only be granted the title of third-class auxiliary prince,
It will create a huge psychological gap, making Nian Gengyao feel unbalanced, and he will even think that the emperor has neglected his military exploits. Only in this case can he and the emperor have a quarrel."
In an increasingly cold tone, Ling Ruo slowly stated her plan. She had already had this plan since Yinzhen accepted her suggestion to make Nian Gengyao the auxiliary Duke.
Nian Suyan made big mistakes several times, but Yinzhen always tolerated it. It was just a punishment of demotion and grounding. He was nothing more than Nian Gengyao. Only by getting rid of Nian Gengyao could Nian Suyan be completely eliminated. Otherwise,
With the former dynasty and the harem closely connected, Yinzhen would never be cruel to her.
"Will General Nian fall into the trap?" Yang Hai asked in a low voice.
Ling Ruowang looked at the extremely clear sky outside the silk umbrella and said calmly: "I was worried before, but I am not worried anymore. Nian Gengyao is more proud and arrogant than before, arrogant, and too popular. Don't you know?"
The truth is that if a tree is beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy it."
"But he has the emperor's favor and trust." Yang Hai was still worried. Yinzhen's trust and favor for Nian Gengyao was second to none except the Thirteenth Master.
"That's what happened in the past. Just look at it. Nian Gengyao will find his own death sooner or later." After saying this, she added: "Okay, let's stop talking about it. Don't talk about it anymore. Also, remember to be kind.
I will take care of my third elder brother, no matter what, I will never allow anything to happen to him now that he is in this palace."
"Master, don't worry. I have people keeping an eye on Third Elder Brother. Nothing will happen." Yang Hai knew Ling Ruo's worries. Third Elder Brother is Nian Changzai's son, and Nian Changzai has always been at odds with his master.
Once something happens to the third elder brother in the Chengqian Palace, people will definitely think that Ling Ruo intends to harm him. Even if there are a hundred mouths, he will not be able to explain it, let alone a queen who is watching over him.
.
Putting aside Ling Ruo's side for the moment, he looked over at Nian Gengyao. After he entered the Yangxin Hall, he saw Yinzhen sitting on the throne, with Yunxiang and Zhang Tingyu on both sides.
As soon as Nian Gengyao entered the hall, he frowned slightly because he found that there was no ice in the Yangxin Hall, which made the air feel unspeakably stuffy.
It’s really unexpected that the Heavenly Family even spared a piece of ice. However, it was inconvenient to say these words in front of Yinzhen. Nian Gengyao suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, clapped his sleeves and knelt down.
He saluted with a great salute, "Slave Nian Gengyao bows to the Emperor, long live the Emperor!" All the soldiers who came in with him also saluted, and for a while, the sound of shouting from the mountains and the sea resounded throughout the Yangxin Hall.
Yinzhen was in a very good mood. After gesturing for everyone to get down, he ordered Sixi and Su Peisheng, who had followed in, to show them their seats. After the generals thanked them again, they all sat down one after another. They all knew that the emperor's summons would be held this time.
They were rewarded based on their merits. Although they knew that Nian Gengyao would be the first reward, they were still full of expectations. As military generals, they fought through life and death on the battlefield, wasn't it just for the military merits that could be exchanged for their positions and glory?
?
"Liang Gong, we haven't seen each other for more than a year, haven't we?" Facing this beloved general who had been promoted and made many military exploits, Yinzhen was smiling. He had not been so happy for a long time.
"Yes, Liang Gong, the Emperor has been looking forward to this day since he knew that you would return to the capital after winning the war." Yunxiang said with a smile. Liang Gong is Nian Gengyao's nickname.
"I am so valued by the emperor, but I am really scared." Nian Gengyao bowed slightly in his chair. Even so, his expression was quite proud. Indeed, his military exploits gave him enough pride.
Yinzhen nodded slightly, then looked at the remaining soldiers with a smile and said: "Of course, like Liang Gong, you are all meritorious officials of the Qing Dynasty. Since you have made contributions, you should be rewarded. Four joys, declare the decree!"
"Hey!" Sixi bowed and agreed, taking the imperial edict that Yinzhen had drafted early in the morning and began to read it. Yinzhen rewarded them all according to the merits listed in the report. Yue Zhongqi received the highest reward among them all.
The lowest rank, the third-rank and second-class light chariot captain, was not ennobled and was only given 500 taels of silver. But such a reward was not enough for them.
It was already extremely generous, so there was no dissatisfaction. Only Yue Zhongqi knelt there and smiled bitterly. But there is another thing that is strange. Nian Gengyao's name is not included in this reward. However, Nian Gengyao is not in a hurry. He has a different surname.
, naturally a special imperial edict was to be drafted, how could it be mixed with such miscellaneous awards.
Sure enough, after Si Xi finished reading a long list of awards and everyone stood up to thank them, Yinzhen waved his hand and said, "Read another one."
Sixi heard the words and solemnly held up another imperial edict and said: "Nian Gengyao listens to the edict!"
"Nian Gengyao listens to the decree!" With these words, Nian Gengyao lifted his robe and knelt down, quietly waiting for the moment of glory in his life, his hands tightly clenched together because of excitement.
"By God's blessing, the emperor issued an edict: Nian Gengyao quelled the rebellion in the northwest. He made great contributions and should be rewarded. He named himself the third-class auxiliary Duke. He is hereditary and will not be replaced. I appreciate this!"