The spring sun is shining brightly, and after the cold snap, the city of Beijing welcomes the warm Indian summer in March.
Zhang Yanling rode his horse and led his entourage into the inner city from Zhengyang Gate and went straight to the palace. When he saw the tall gate tower of Meridian Gate and the brilliant palace buildings inside the palace wall from a distance, Zhang Yanling became excited.
Naturally, the reason why I entered the palace today was not to meet Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao was still traveling in the south, publicizing his great achievements in counterinsurgency. It is estimated that he will not be able to come back for ten days and a half. Zhang Yanling entered the palace to see her sister.
Queen Mother Zhang.
In this world, if there is anyone whom Zhang Yanling cares about most besides his wife and children, it must be the Queen Mother. He, his elder sister, loves him sincerely. An eldest sister is like a mother. In Zhang Yanling's mind,
Indeed, I value her as much as my mother.
Every time he thinks of his sister, Zhang Yanling feels sad for her. Her husband Zhu Youtang died young, and her son Zhu Houzhao is also distant from her. The relationship between mother and son is not very good. He has been busy in recent years, and he and his wife and children have spent less time together and more separation.
Not to mention often going into the palace to see the Queen Mother. Since the death of her brother-in-law Zhu Youtang, she has rarely gone into the palace to talk to her sister.
Therefore, the Queen Mother lived alone in the palace and wasted her time, which must have been a very difficult life. Of course, it was the depression in her heart, not material. Because of this, when Zhang Yanling knew that there was some unclear relationship between the Queen Mother and Yang Tinghe
After the incident, Zhang Yanling was actually able to understand her and could not bring herself to clarify the matter.
The Queen Mother is also a human being, and of course she also hopes to have emotional comfort and someone to care for her. However, she is a Queen Mother and is different from ordinary people. Even if she can understand it emotionally, this matter cannot be allowed to develop.
That is a royal scandal. Once it breaks out, not only will the majesty of the royal family be ruined, but many people will also be implicated, including the Zhang family brothers.
After he saw a fan and a portrait in her room that time, Zhang Yanling had to remind the Queen Mother in a more obvious way. He even deliberately pretended to tear up the fan accidentally. This was to tell the Queen Mother that he already knew about her and Yang Tinghe.
I want her to look back and not get stuck in it.
However, the Queen Mother seemed to be deeply involved and unable to extricate herself. Under this situation, Zhang Yanling had to take drastic measures. That night, Zhang Yanling and Zhang Zhong designed to kill several female officials who knew about the Queen Mother.
He also issued a stern warning. In addition, he also did not want too many insiders of the matter to cause the news to leak.
Zhang Yanling didn't want to be so desperate, but he had to do it. The Queen Mother's behavior would ruin everything, including herself and the Zhang family, and she could not let things develop.
After that day, Zhang Yanling never saw the Queen Mother again. She went to the palace many times to ask for an audience, but she was rejected by the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother ordered someone to send a piece of brocade, which was a sign of severing the relationship. Zhang Yanling felt very sad. He knew that he
It broke my sister's heart.
Zhang Yanling actually wanted to tell the Queen Mother clearly that Yang Ting and that guy must have taken advantage of her when she was depressed, in order to use her status as Queen Mother to achieve his political goals, rather than really liking her.
Zhang Yanling really wanted to tell the Queen Mother that scholars like Yang Tinghe were pretentious and elegant. The woman he liked would not be a woman with a cheerful personality and average appearance like the Queen Mother. Besides, she was already a middle-aged woman. The women around Yang Tinghe,
Either she is a famous prostitute in a brothel or she is a literary young lady. He is just seducing and using you.
But how could Zhang Yanling say this? It can be seen that the Queen Mother cares about Yang Tinghe very much. She is already fascinated by Yang Tinghe. If she said it, she might not believe it. Even if she did, it would be an even heavier blow to her.
It made her life even more depressed and desolate.
In view of this, Zhang Yanling had to take drastic measures to stop this incident, but at the same time, the relationship between the sister and brother also fell into a cold situation after the Jingren Palace murder incident.
Zhang Yanling has been involved in intense life-and-death battles in recent years, as well as various major events such as counterinsurgency and overseas operations. She really has no time or energy to repair the relationship between siblings.
Last year, when Zhang Zhong went to Nanyang, Zhang Yanling asked. From Zhang Zhong's mouth, Zhang Yanling learned that Yang Tinghe had not stopped, which made Zhang Yanling very angry.
But today, Zhang Yanling went to visit the Queen Mother, and had no intention of having a showdown with the Queen Mother. He needed to secretly inquire about relevant matters and get solid evidence before he could finally make a decision. One was the chief minister of the cabinet, the other was the Queen Mother, and he
Sister, we must not engage in this matter recklessly. However, one thing is for sure, this relationship cannot be tolerated, otherwise there will be endless troubles. Even if it offends the Queen Mother again, it will not be hesitated.
When they arrived at the gate of the palace, Zhang Yanling didn't recognize the guard at the palace gate. Zhang Yanling didn't recognize any of the guards guarding the palace, Ma Junsi, or the generals in the Han general's camp. Zhang Yanling really didn't recognize this commander. He must have been newly promoted.
of generals.
However, after Zhang Yanling reported his name, the general saluted with great respect and let him go.
The spring light in the palace is bright, and the flowers and trees are luxuriant. The flowers and trees are swaying in the sun, exuding the fragrance of flowers and plants. The warm weather has awakened bees and butterflies, and they are flying impatiently in the sun.
Zhang Yanling admired the scenery and walked slowly toward the harem along the road between the palaces. Passing by the Qianqing Palace, a flock of pigeons flew away. The emperor was not in the palace, so the Qianqing Palace was really deserted.
When passing by Kunning Palace, Zhang Yanling heard the sound of silk and bamboo coming from the garden of the apse. There was also the sound of laughter. Zhang Yanling was a little puzzled why there were people playing music and laughing loudly in Kunning Palace so early in the morning.
What a strange thing.
A young eunuch came out of the palace gate. Zhang Yanling waited for him to come over and stopped him to ask. The young eunuch knew Zhang Yanling and hurriedly kowtowed.
"Who is playing music? Who is laughing so loudly?" Zhang Yanling asked.
"Reporting to the Duke, this is the Empress. The Empress is playing on the swing in the garden. The female officer is playing the silk and bamboo. The Empress likes to listen." The little eunuch said hurriedly.
Zhang Yanling was stunned. It turned out to be Queen Xia. In his impression, Queen Xia was quiet and gentle, and she spoke very quietly. She actually laughed so loudly and looked very happy. It was also surprising. Her own
The eldest nephew did not treat the queen well. It is said that he rarely visited Queen Xia, and his favorite ones were those charming women. He even behaved extremely disrespectfully in front of her, teasing and misbehaving with other women.
Perhaps, it was precisely because Zhu Houzhao was no longer in the palace that Queen Xia was so happy.
Zhang Yanling originally wanted to pay her respects, but after thinking about it, it was better not to disturb Queen Xia. It was rare to have a comfortable day, so why disturb her. In a few days, Zhu Houzhao returned to Beijing, and Queen Xia was afraid that she would return to her dignified and quiet smile.
Even though Zhu Houzhao didn't like her, she was still solemn and self-respecting.
Zhang Yanling couldn't help but sigh in her heart, how many people in this world wear masks and live their lives. What others see is not what they really are. There are many people around her, such as her sister, ministers in the court, and the queen.
In comparison, Zhu Houzhao is a real person because he can do whatever he wants and doesn't care about other people's feelings at all.
But is this kind of truth more valuable than the falsehood wearing a mask? A person who wears a mask, is the true truth a falsehood? Is a person who acts willfully the correct truth?
Since the Jingren Palace murder incident, Zhang Yong arranged to move the Queen Mother's palace to the Yanxi Palace. The Yanxi Palace is not far behind the Kunning Palace and is crowded with people. Zhang Yanling hopes that this will prevent Yang Ting and the daring ones from entering the harem.
. He even asked Zhang Yong to re-establish the rules for entering and exiting the inner palace, and did not allow outside officials to enter and exit the harem at will.
But based on the current situation, it seems that it has no effect. In fact, it is not surprising. Yang Tinghe is the chief minister of the cabinet. Even if he goes in and out of the Queen Mother's residence in the harem, others can't say anything. By doing this, Zhang Yanling can only accurately grasp Yang Tinghe.
It's just a matter of whether there is any contact with the Queen Mother, but it can't be stopped.
In front of the Yanxi Palace, a palace maid was standing at the entrance of the palace looking around. Seeing Zhang Yanling approaching, the palace maid seemed to be surprised, and turned around and left.
Zhang Yanling recognized that it was the female official Cuiyu, one of the personal female officials serving the Queen Mother. She was confused. As her mind was racing, she suddenly shouted: "Stop!"
The palace maid Cuiyu stood hesitantly. Zhang Yanling quickly approached, frowned and shouted: "Don't you recognize me? Why do you feel like you've seen a ghost when you see me, and turn around and run away?"
Cuiyu hurriedly said: "You deserve to die, I didn't recognize the Duke. I will go and report to the Queen Mother that the Duke is here."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said: "You don't need to report, I will go in and see the Queen Mother. Cuiyu, you are the female official beside the Queen Mother, why are you standing at the entrance of the palace? Are you waiting for someone?"
Cuiyu was startled and said hurriedly: "No, I'm not waiting for anyone, it's just... Oh, by the way, the inner treasury wants to send some materials to make spring clothes for the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother wants to see them, so I'm waiting here for my father-in-law.
Send it."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said, "Is this really true?"
Hongyu hurriedly said: "How dare I lie? Is this slave going to die?"
Zhang Yanling nodded, suddenly lowered his head and came close to Cuiyu's face, stared into her eyes fiercely, and lowered his voice and said: "Do you know Hongyu and Xiuzhu? Do you know Xiao Dengzi?"
Cuiyu shuddered, her face turned pale, showing a look of horror. How could she not know Hongyu and Xiuzhu? They were both female officials around the Queen Mother, and Xiao Dengzi was the former steward of Jingren Palace. They were both married two years ago.
They died one night. Cuiyu and the others actually knew in their hearts how they died.
"My lord... this slave... this slave... I don't know anything." Cuiyu said in a trembling voice.
Zhang Yanling sneered and said: "I didn't ask you anything. What do you mean you don't know? Did you say that someone will send you clothing materials? Okay, I will wait here to see if anyone will send you materials. If not, you
Just deceive me. When the time comes, see how I treat you. Maybe Hongyu Xiuzhu and the others will come to you when you sleep at night."
Cuiyu was so frightened that her whole body collapsed, she covered her face and trembled, she was so frightened that she lost her mind.
"My lord, it's none of my business. The queen mother ordered the servants to come and watch, and wait until... people come and lead them in. I dare not disobey." Cuiyu collapsed.
Zhang Yanling straightened up and said coldly: "Who are you waiting for?"
Cuiyu collapsed on the ground. She suddenly realized that she had made a mistake and quickly said with a pale face: "My lord, please spare me. I can't talk nonsense. If I say anything, I will die."
Zhang Yanling sneered and said: "You will die if you don't tell me. Do you think I don't know who you are waiting for? Is it Yang Shoufu?"
Cuiyu was speechless and sat on the steps without speaking.
"Does Yang Shoufu often come to see the Queen Mother? Is he coming today too? The Queen Mother orders you to pick him up at the palace gate. Doesn't he enter through the main entrance? From the side door? Every time he comes, he comes through the small door on the east side.
Come in, right? The bunch of keys on your waist are the keys to the side door, right?" Zhang Yanling shouted in a low voice.
Only now did Cuiyu realize that the Lord Protector actually knew everything. Of course Zhang Yanling knew everything. Except for the guards, everyone in the inner court belonged to him. Zhang Zhong had already told Zhang Yanling these things, how could Zhang Yanling not know it?
Every time Yang Tinghe entered Yanxi Palace, he did not enter through the main entrance, but secretly entered through the side door.
"My lord, please forgive me. I'm just a servant. I don't know anything. I just took Yang Shoufu in. I don't know anything else." Cuiyu said blankly.
Zhang Yanling frowned and pondered, and said in a deep voice: "Cuiyu, I'll give you a chance, just pretend you haven't seen me. I'll go in to see the Queen Mother, and soon the person you're waiting for will come. You can lead him in through the small door. You'll have lunch
You don’t know anything. If you want to see Hongyu and Xiuzhu, just try to play tricks and not cooperate. I guarantee you won’t survive tonight.”
Hongyu's body was shaking like chaff and she was speechless.
Zhang Yanling shouted: "Did you hear that?"
Hongyu said hurriedly: "I will obey your orders, I will just obey my orders."
Zhang Yanling nodded, snorted, strode up the steps and walked into the Yanxi Palace.