Queen Zhang said: "What if that's not the case? Are we still going to swallow our anger? I naturally want to make this matter public and make the Zhou family and the vixen pay the price. How can I spare them lightly? The vixen must die, and the Zhou family must also be severely punished. Could it be?
Can’t we still tolerate them?”
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Second sister, I can understand your mood. But have you ever thought about it. Opening these things can certainly solve the problem with pride. But... in this way, the emperor's reputation will be greatly damaged and his face will be lost. You and
The relationship between the emperors is afraid that it will reach a deadlock. It may never return to the previous loving situation."
Empress Zhang sneered and said, "He asked for it too. He brought humiliation upon himself. Who can blame him?"
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "Second sister, you must not be swayed by jealousy. Second sister has always been someone who takes the overall situation into consideration. It is not a good choice to let the emperor lose face. It is not good for you or my Zhang family.
. Could it be that the second sister doesn’t remember what I said before? Even if this matter is made public, it will only overturn the Zhou family and make the emperor ashamed. But the Zhou family is just someone else’s knife, and the person holding the knife is still behind the scenes.
If you completely make a fuss, wouldn't you play into the hands of others? Not only will the emperor not change his mind, he may even leave the second sister completely. By then, maybe a second little Jasmine will appear. And by then, it will no longer be sneaky, maybe
It’s a public draft and canonization. What will happen to the second sister at that time? Isn’t it like killing eight hundred enemies and injuring three thousand yourself?”
After hearing this, Queen Zhang's heated mind slowly calmed down. For so many days, she had been filled with jealousy and resentment. She was so overwhelmed by anger that she almost forgot some of what Zhang Yanling said before.
It's no wonder that things become chaotic when you care about them. It's hard to stay awake and calm all the time when you're suffering from random thoughts and jealousy every day. Empress Zhang is just a woman, and she's not a profound and scheming person, so naturally she can't stay awake all the time.
But when Zhang Yanling reminded her, she understood again. The quarrel would relieve her anger, but the Zhou family would naturally be destroyed, and the emperor would lose face. That was such a pleasure. But after the pleasure, the situation would become worse. And this
Obviously, the gain outweighs the loss. Even if my feelings for the emperor have changed a bit, I still have to be patient. After all, the relationship between husband and wife has been there for so many years, and that is the emperor. Everything about me and everything about the Zhang family comes from
The consequences of his willful actions will surely bring happiness to his enemies and pain to his relatives.
"My little brother, do you mean to spare them? How can I swallow this bad breath? The Zhou family is so bold and reckless. If they are not severely punished, won't anyone dare to do anything wrong in the future?" Queen Zhang said solemnly.
Zhang Yanling shook his head and said: "Of course we can't forget it like this. Some people have to pay a price. This price must be harsh and unforgettable for them forever. I think the second sister can only do this. I will give all
All the evidence of his confession has been sorted out and sent to the palace and handed over to the second sister. The second sister can go and have a talk with the old queen..."
Empress Zhang was stunned and said: "Go and have a talk with her? What's there to talk about with that old bitch?"
Zhang Yanling said softly: "With the evidence in hand, the second sister can talk about whatever she wants. Just like when a thief is caught and stolen, how dare they resist at all. With the evidence in hand, the second sister can negotiate any terms with the Queen Mother. This is completely
depends on you."
Queen Zhang suddenly woke up and nodded slowly, her eyes gradually becoming sharp and excited.
"But there is one thing. The second sister must leave some escape routes for them to prevent them from jumping over the wall. The ultimate goal is...to achieve what the second sister wants without causing trouble in the city...Besides, the Zhou family can still be touched. The people behind them..." Zhang Yanling reminded in a low voice.
"I know what to do. Little brother, you are very good. You are worthy of being a man of my Zhang family. You have really grown up. Finally, someone in my Zhang family can establish a family. Finally, someone can protect my sister. Good brother, sister I don't hurt you in vain." Queen Zhang said softly.
…
On the fifth day of February, the night is as dark as water and the new moon is like a hook.
In the bedroom of Queen Zhang in Kunning Palace, the lights flickered. Queen Zhang was sitting on a stool in her full dress. The candlelight illuminated her serious face in and out, giving her a slightly eerie feeling.
When the sound of the first watch was heard in the distance, a figure walked in quickly from outside and came to bow to Queen Zhang.
"Slave Zhang Zhong has met the Queen!" the man said hoarsely.
"Come back? Is the emperor sleeping?" Queen Zhang asked coldly.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has fallen asleep. The door to Qianqing Palace has been closed." Zhang Zhong hurriedly whispered.
"Okay. Are all the people ready? What did you bring with you?" Queen Zhang asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, everything is ready. Everyone has gathered in the front hall. The servant has arranged a messenger outside Qianqing Palace, who will come to report if there is any situation. The servant has also arranged manpower to seal the door. Your servant is doing the work, your Majesty, don’t worry." Zhang Zhong bowed and said.
"Okay! Pass on my orders and drive to Changchun Palace!" Queen Zhang stood up, the phoenix crown on her head swaying, shining brightly under the lights, looking extremely noble.
…
The location of Changchun Palace is relatively remote, located in the West Sixth Palace to the west of Kunning Palace. Among the imperial palaces, the East Sixth Palace, the West Sixth Palace, and the twelve palaces were originally where the emperor's concubines lived. However, Emperor Hongzhi only favored the queen, so these palaces Most of them were occupied by concubines of the former dynasty.
The palace where the Queen Mother Zhou originally lived was the Renshou Palace in the northeast corner of the palace. However, the Renshou Palace was too remote and it was inconvenient to visit. The Queen Mother Zhou was also a lively person, so she asked to move to the Changchun Palace. The north and south of the Changchun Palace are Qi and Qi. Xiang Palace and Xianfu Palace, and to the east are Chuxiu Palace, Yikun Palace and Yude Palace, all of which housed the concubines of the previous dynasties. This is lively and allows you to chat and socialize with old sisters and your son’s concubines. .So, this stay lasted more than ten years.
It was a cold spring, and the Queen Mother Zhou was too old to stay up late, so she went to bed early. The 'grandniece' Wan'er waited beside her for a while and told her some stories about the market, and the Queen Mother Zhou urged her to go back to the east. Spring Pavilion rested in case the emperor could not find her when he came.
Speaking of which, the Queen Mother Zhou was still very happy. During the first month of the year, the Emperor came to Changchun Palace many times. The Emperor must have been fascinated by Wan'er. This was certainly a good thing for the Queen Mother Zhou. .This Wan'er is a member of her Zhou family. The emperor is infatuated with Wan'er and will soon enthrone her. Then the Zhou family will make a comeback.
I am getting old, and now my only hope is to help my mother-in-law's family. The Zhou family can make a comeback, which is what I want to see most. Seeing the emperor doting on Queen Zhang, and the Zhang family's arrogance and domineering appearance, the old queen became very sad. She was angry. Especially the two incidents not long ago made the old lady angry for many days. One time, Zhou Ying was beaten by Zhang Yanling, and a sum of money was blackmailed by Zhang Jiasheng. The second time It was even more outrageous. The 40,000 acres of fertile land they had acquired were taken away by the Zhang brothers. The old queen mother had actually been in a good mood after practicing for so many years, but when something like this happened, the old queen mother wished she could get a cane. Go and beat someone at their door.
But Queen Mother Zhou knew very well that the emperor favored the Zhang brothers, and it would be useless to cause trouble. Although she felt sorry for her two younger brothers and nephews, she could only swallow her anger.