The morning light was slightly dewed, and the sky had not yet fully lit up.
The lights in the wing room in the east courtyard of the back house of Jianchang Marquis were already on. Zhang Yanling was sitting on a stool with her long hair squinting and squinting. Behind her, Tan Ruqing, a slim figure in a silk robe, was combing his hair.
This morning, Zhang Yanling had to get up early to go to the court. Her waist was still a little sore after last night's strenuous exercise, but Zhang Yanling had to leave Rourouxiang to get up.
Tan Ruqing's hands moved deftly on Zhang Yanling's hair, combing Zhang Yanling's hair smooth and shiny, and tied it into a bun.
Suddenly, Tan Ruqing stopped his hand and let out a soft voice.
"What's wrong? The comb pricked my hand?" Zhang Yanling asked.
"No. Mr. Hou, why is a section of his hair... missing? It looks like a strand was cut off." Tan Ruqing asked softly.
Zhang Yanling was stunned and said with a smile: "I'll tell you the reason later. I originally wanted to tell you something last night, but unfortunately I didn't have time. I was very busy. I'll tell you the details later."
When Tan Ruqing heard Zhang Yanling say that she was not free last night, her face turned red. She punched Zhang Yanling on the shoulder angrily.
Of course I didn't have time last night. A breakup was better than a wedding. The princess was pregnant and Axiu went to meet his brother and sister-in-law. Naturally, he had no choice but to serve Zhang Yanling.
This man was asking too much, and I was tortured by him. I wanted to serve him well, but I really couldn't bear it. If I hadn't gotten up early to go to court today, it would have been even worse.
Hey, why can't your husband just chat with me quietly? Even if it's just a kiss and a hug, it's good. It's really annoying to have that thing in your mind.
"Isn't it because he cut off his hair and gave it to a girl as a token of love?" Tan Ruqing said with a chuckle.
Zhang Yanling was speechless. A woman's intuition is really scary. Although Tan Ruqing just said it casually, she got it right. This is too scary. However, Zhang Yanling didn't want to hide the matter with Zhu Qingyi from Ru Qing. After all, this
This matter is more or less related to Tan Ruqing. But there is no time to talk about it now.
Zhang Yanling didn't speak, and Tan Ruqing didn't ask too many questions. She was not a talkative woman. Soon, her hair was combed. After gently putting on the hairpin, Tan Ruqing said with a smile: "Okay.
Take a look in the mirror, are you satisfied?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Of course I am satisfied with the way you combed my hair. Let's change clothes. It's getting late."
Tan Ruqing nodded, took Zhang Yanling's official uniform, served Zhang Yanling to put it on, tidied it up, looked up and down a few times, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Okay, Lord Marquis, let's go. Ru Qing won't see you off. I didn't comb my hair or change my clothes, for fear of delaying your time."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I know you were very tired last night. Have a good sleep. I'm going."
Tan Ruqing blushed and spat.
Zhang Yanling reached out to her and kissed her red lips. She pinched Tan Ruqing's plump buttocks through her silk skirt and whispered, "I'll come again tonight."
Tan Ruqing shyly pushed him away and said angrily: "No. Axiu will be sad, and I won't serve you anymore."
Zhang Yanling laughed and turned around to go out.
The long street is wide open, and the streets have gradually become lively in the early morning. The capital is the capital, and it has been very noisy early in the morning. Zhang Yanling, Chen Shi, Zhang Yin and others galloped into the inner city and went straight to the palace.
In front of the Fengtian Hall, officials from the previous court have arrived one after another. After Zhang Yanling and others arrived, they quickly attracted everyone's attention. Because all the officials knew very well that today's court meeting, Zhang Yanling and others, were the protagonists. It was said to be discussing Zhuge Liang. In order to investigate the consequences of the Zhixiu rebellion, the other most important thing is to issue an order to reward the officials who have contributed to the suppression of the rebellion. And the biggest contributors are obviously Zhang Yanling and others.
"Being polite when you are in Jianchang."
"Jianchang Hou's hard work and great achievements are admirable."
"It's a joy to congratulate Jianchang Hou on his triumphant return."
A group of officials saluted and greeted Zhang Yanling and others, and Zhang Yanling returned the greeting with a smile and humility. Although I knew it was mostly polite, I felt very proud. After all, Zhang Yanling had never received such treatment in many years.
In the past, Zhang Yanling became the focus of everyone, perhaps because he was despised and a playboy. But today, all the officials are smiling and all they say are compliments. It is really different from the past.
Xu Yande waved to Zhang Yanling from the side of the steps in front of the palace, shouting loudly: "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, come here to talk."
Xu Yande shouted very loudly, as if he was afraid that others would not know that Zhang Yanling was his brother-in-law. The loud and unscrupulous shouting made people look at him. Even Zhang Mao, Zhang Lun and others who were standing together rolled their eyes and looked at him.
Zhang Yanling told Zhang Yin and Chen Shi to wait where they were, then quickly walked over and saluted.
"I have met my father-in-law, I have met the British Duke, I have met the three young princes, and I have met all the princes."
"Being polite when you are in Jianchang."
"Your Majesty, you are polite!"
A group of top nobles bowed to each other, all with smiles on their faces. After struggling for a while, they finally settled down.
Xu Guangzuo looked at Zhang Yanling with a smile and said, "Yanling, how is everything? Did you have a good rest last night?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Thanks to my father-in-law, I slept very peacefully. This is the most peaceful sleep my son-in-law has had in the past two months. The bed at home is very comfortable."
Xu Guangzuo burst out laughing and said, "Of course. A golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as your own doghouse. What's more, you went out to fight, slept in the open air, and worried about the war, so naturally you couldn't sleep well. But it's better now, and you finally came back safely."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "This is exactly the reason."
Zhang Mao stroked his beard beside him and said: "The Marquis of Jianchang has made a great contribution this time and earned respect for our noble family. It is gratifying and congratulatory. The Marquis of Jianchang is a rising star of our noble family, and our achievements in the future will be limitless. We, the Old guy, you have to give way to Xian."
Zhang Yanling hurriedly said: "The British Lord praised me so much that I can't deserve it. This time it's just good luck. Our noble family relies on the planning of several princes. What does Yanling mean? It's just a marriage with me." Comparing several young gentlemen is nothing."
Zhang Mao laughed and said: "Don't be humble, do your part, and dare to take responsibility. Duke Dingguo, do you think what I said is true or not?"
Xu Guangzuo smiled and said: "Young Master, please don't say that. Yanling did have a meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion this time, but he doesn't need to be praised so highly. After all, it was the soldiers and horses of the regiment who made great contributions this time, and the credit belongs to everyone." .It cannot be blamed on him alone. However, I agree with what you said. We must do our part and bear the heavy burden bravely."
Zhang Mao smiled and said: "Yes. Marquis of Jianchang, what I said are not polite words. We are old, and it will be your time to show your ambitions in the future. Zhang Lun, Yande, Zhu Lin, and the Marquis of Jianchang, As well as several other young marquises, you will all shoulder important responsibilities in the future. Especially those like Yanling, you must give strong support. Therefore, this time the rebellion was successfully suppressed, I personally went to the palace to see the emperor and suggested that Jianchang Marquis should be re-employed. Haha. Haha, something will be announced in the palace soon. Marquis Jianchang, I hope you won’t be too surprised when the time comes."
Zhang Yanling vaguely guessed something and didn't dare to say anything nonsense.
Xu Guangzuo smiled and said: "Yanling, you have to thank Mr. Ying for this matter. Originally, I didn't dare to think about it, but Mr. Ying persuaded the emperor. Mr. Ying is very caring."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "What on earth is going on? My son-in-law is very confused."
Xu Guangzuo blinked and said: "I can't talk nonsense before the imperial edict is announced. I want to avoid suspicion. You are my son-in-law, so I can't talk too much."
Zhang Mao smiled and said: "Dong Guo, when you say this, Marquis Jianchang is even more murmuring in his heart. Marquis Jianchang, the answer to the mystery will be revealed soon. You will know it by then, so don't ask more questions."
While they were joking, the heavy door of Fengtian Hall above the steps slowly opened under the joint efforts of seven or eight young eunuchs.
As the sun rises, the sunlight slants into the dark Fengtian Hall, shines on the smooth marble floor, and reflects onto the pillars of the hall. The golden dragons on the pillars shine brightly and lifelike.
The morning bell rang and roared loudly.
"Go to court!" someone shouted loudly at the door of the palace.
In the square in front of the palace, the civil and military officials straightened their clothes after hearing this, stopped talking, lined up one after another, and slowly walked up the long stone steps.
Zhang Yanling stood in the queue of nobles, followed by Zhang Yin, Chen Shiyi, and several middle- and senior-level generals from the Zhenwei Battalion. They slowly climbed up the stairs with the flow of people. Zhang Yin, Chen Shiyi, and others looked quite nervous. This is
It was the first time in their lives that they had the opportunity to participate in a court meeting, and they came here with special permission as heroes who had suppressed the rebellion, so they were naturally very excited.
They followed Zhang Yanling, looked at Zhang Yanling's back, and their hearts were naturally full of gratitude. If they hadn't met Zhang Yanling, how would they be where they are today. If they hadn't followed the right person, how would they be where they are today? What they have now or in the future
Everything is given by the Marquis.
The civil and military officials quickly stood up in line with the train. The hall was still a little dark, and a huge palace lantern hung beside the throne to illuminate it.
The ministers who participated in the court meeting were actually a little excited, because this was their first court appearance in the past month. It is rare for Zhu Houzhao to go to court now, and many officials have not been to Tianyan in Fengtian Palace for a long time.
"The Emperor has arrived!" A loud shout echoed throughout the hall.
The dragon-patterned brocade curtain in the side hall was opened with a roar, and the honor guard of the Han generals of the Jinyi Guards filed in. Behind the eight Han generals of the Jinyiwei, Zhu Houzhao, dressed in crimson uniforms and wearing a black gauze, gold dragon-winged crown, walked in, followed by
A large group of eunuchs and guards.
All the ministers in the palace knelt down and kowtowed, shouting: "Welcome to you, my emperor, long live the emperor."
Zhu Houzhao quickly ascended the throne, glanced at the whole place, a smile appeared on his pale face, and said in a clear and slightly childish voice: "Everyone is equal."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone shouted loudly and stood up one after another.
After a rustling sound of getting dressed, the ministers stood in solemn silence. Zhu Houzhao sat down slowly and said in a deep voice: "Dear ministers, there are two things to discuss in this morning. The first thing is to report that Zhu Chixiu's rebellion against the vassal has been quelled.
process, and related punishments
The second thing is to praise the meritorious ministers. Without further delay, let’s start with the first thing. When you return from Jianchang to put down the rebellion, you will report to me and all the courtiers.
Please tell me how you countered the rebellion."
"Your Majesty, I obey the order!" Zhang Yanling promised loudly, bowed and walked out of the queue quickly.