"Yes! The child will obey the instructions carefully."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Three of you brothers and sisters, the one the Ai family can trust most is you, and you are also the most promising one."
Xue Shengkang said: "Thanks to the mother's love and the kindness of giving birth, the child will never forget it."
Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and said: "Don't talk about the kindness of having children. Since I gave birth to you, I should educate you. In the eyes of the Ai family, you are all my heart and soul."
Xue Shengkang said: "Don't worry, mother, the children will treat them well." He was keenly aware of the main purpose of the mother's visit today.
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "The Ai family heard that a big event happened in Prince Yan's mansion last night."
Xue Shengkang said: "Mother, you don't need to listen to the rumors outside. It's just a small matter, and the matter has been resolved. Why? Didn't Shengjing go to Ci'en Garden to tell you that she is safe?"
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "My son is older than his mother. You all think that the Ai family is old, and you are also worried that I will be disturbed, so you hide many things from me."
Xue Shengkang said: "Mother, the child dare not deceive the mother, but since there is nothing serious, there is no need to disturb the mother's purity."
"Shengjing was assassinated and almost lost his life. Isn't this a big deal?"
Xue Shengkang looked at his sullen mother, and his heart suddenly sank. He began to realize that his mother did not go to Prince Yan's Mansion to visit Xue Shengjing, but came directly to the palace. Was she suspecting that the assassination was related to him? He whispered.
Said: "Mother, my child has immediately sent an imperial doctor to treat Shengjing's injuries. He only has some skin injuries, nothing serious, so mother, don't worry too much. As for this assassination, a comprehensive investigation has also begun. Be sure to get to the bottom of it to ensure that
The same thing won't happen again."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "You three are from the same mother, and there is no difference in the eyes of the Ai family. But when your father was still alive, he preferred Shengjing the most. He was smart and eloquent. At one time, your father
The emperor actually had the idea of making him the prince."
Xue Shengkang smiled and said: "Actually, it's the same for any of our brothers who sit in this seat. If the second brother had inherited the throne, I, the older brother, would never complain and would do my best to help him achieve his great cause."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Lun, you are the most broad-minded and open-minded among the brothers, and you are also the far-sighted in terms of vision. But the scenery is different. He is greedy for enjoyment and has no grand ambitions. Your father once tested him and asked him
Do you want to be emperor? What do you think he said?"
Xue Shengkang looked at his mother with a smile.
"This bastard actually said that only a fool can become an emperor. He doesn't want to worry about national affairs. He would rather live a free and happy life."
Xue Shengkang laughed: "The second brother is like this. He is too playful. In fact, he is right. Sitting in this seat is destined to work hard all his life."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "What really angered your father was because of that brothel girl..."
Xue Shengkang said calmly: "Mother, it has been so many years since you said it. If you didn't tell me, I would have almost forgotten it."
"How could we forget? You were the only one willing to speak for him back then."
Xue Shengkang said: "My child still remembers that when I offended my father because I spoke for him, he picked up an inkstone and threw it at me. There is still a scar on his forehead."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "At that time, even the Ai family was firmly opposed to Shengjing. Your father even threatened to execute the brothel girl Ling Chi."
Xue Shengkang said: "My father loves me deeply and takes great responsibility. At that time, it was also for the honor of our royal family."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Although Ai Jia stood on your father's side, I never thought about putting his children to death. Although your father was furious, in the end he only issued a secret decree.
Kill that woman quietly and leave behind two bloodlines of our royal family."
Xue Shengkang asked: "What happened next?"
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "I don't know who revealed the news to Shengjing in advance, saying that your father was furious and wanted to put all three of their mothers to death in Ling Chi. Shengjing was horrified. He just arranged for the three of them to escape Yongdu. Who?
I once thought that in order to escape the horse bandits on the way, the carriage the mother and son were riding in fell off the cliff. When Shengjing found the carriage, they found that the mother and son had been eaten by a pack of wolves..." At this point, Empress Dowager Jiang's eyes also filled with circles.
She couldn't help but blush, and sighed sadly: "It's not a pity that the woman died, it's just a pity for a pair of grandchildren from the Ai family."
Xue Shengkang patted the back of his mother's hand to express comfort.
After gathering her emotions, Empress Dowager Jiang continued: "After your father learned about this, he was deeply shocked and became seriously ill. The Ai family knew what he was thinking and asked Shengjing to visit several times, but Shengjing decided that
That matter was your father's doing, and you decided to have no contact with him till the end of your life."
Xue Shengkang nodded and said: "Haier also personally tried to persuade Shengjing, but he was too stubborn and too sad."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Your father died in depression not long ago. Before his death, he always called out Shengjing's name, hoping to get Shengjing's understanding. The Ai family knows that although your father is cruel, he will never show his kindness to her under any circumstances."
His grandson started to do it. The beautiful scenery never appeared. It was not until after your father passed away that he came to the palace to keep vigil. But from then on, he became more and more self-destructive, indulged in sex, played with animals, and overeated.
, turned into what it is now.”
Xue Shengkang said: "Mother, please don't mention these unhappy things anymore. At least Shengjing is in peace now."
Empress Dowager Jiang said: "The Ai family has never mentioned these things to Shengjing, and he still hates your father in his heart."
Xue Shengkang was shocked in his heart. His mother's words were profound and she was obviously hinting at something.
"The Aijia are already in their seventies, and I think they don't have much time left in this world. When the Aijia was here, you brothers were safe and harmonious. If the Aijia is gone, I hope you will still be the same as you are now."
Xue Shengkang said: "Don't worry, mother, as long as the children are here, she will take good care of them."
Empress Dowager Jiang showed a smile of relief: "What happened to Shengjing is your business. If anything happens to him, the Ai family will not look to anyone else but you as the eldest brother."
Xue Shengkang said respectfully: "Don't worry, mother, they will always be like brothers and sisters in the child's heart."
Hu Xiaotian returned to Qichen Palace, changed back into his mourning clothes, and was about to pretend to go to the mourning hall to cry. But when he saw Xiang Jimin walking towards him, Hu Xiaotian asked: "Where is Wan'er?"
Xiang Jimin said: "The little girl was frightened, so it was difficult to coax her to sleep."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Excuse me, sir, I'll take care of you for you."
Xiang Jimin said: "Master Hu, what happened in Prince Yan's Mansion last night has been widely circulated. In three days, the princess will have her first birthday." What he said sounded a bit inexplicable, and the two things seemed to be unrelated.
, but Hu Xiaotian understood what he meant and advised Xiang Jimin not to cause trouble.
Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Don't worry, I have a number of answers in my mind."
Hu Xiaotian left the courtyard where he lived and came to the mourning hall. A group of people happened to come to pay their respects. Hu Xiaotian actually saw a familiar face among them, which was Zan Buliu, the big shopkeeper of Xinglong Bank.
Zan Buliu also saw Hu Xiaotian at the same time. After offering incense and paying homage, he said a few words to the seventh prince Xue Daoming, and then quickly walked towards Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian made a move to kneel to him, but Zan Buliu hurriedly grabbed his arm.
He said: "Master Hu, this is impossible."
Hu Xiaotian said: "It has been many days since we left Ningxiang Tower. I didn't expect that the shopkeeper Zan would come here." But he knew in his heart that Zan Buliu was most likely here for Xue Daoming. Xue Daoming treated Princess Anping with the courtesy of his deceased wife. Yongdu
All the dignitaries and dignitaries would naturally take advantage of this opportunity to get close to him.
Zan Buliu said: "Zan came here specifically to express condolences to Mr. Hu."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Xiaotian doesn't have many friends in Yongdu. It's really an honor for me to get to know Shopkeeper Zanda."
Zan Buliu said: "Ever since we said goodbye to Ningxiang Tower, Zan has been planning to come over to pay a visit to Mr. Hu, but he never expected that such an unfortunate thing would happen before I could come over. I hope Mr. Hu will express my condolences and be kind to you. Please take care of yourself."
Body."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Now that things have happened, Xiaotian has to accept this painful reality."
Zan Buliu said: "I heard that after Princess Anping's first birthday, Mr. Hu will escort her ashes back to Dakang."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "It is true."
Zan Buliu said: "Zan will also go to Dakang tomorrow to deal with some matters related to Xinglong Xing. I believe we should be destined to meet in Kangdu."
Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed when he heard this, and sincerely invited him: "Don't forget to look for me when the shopkeeper Zan goes to Kangdu. By then, these things must have been taken care of, and I will definitely accompany Brother Zan to have a few drinks."
Zan Buliu said: "It's settled." It was not convenient for him to stay here for a long time, so he said goodbye to Hu Xiaotian and left.
Hu Xiaotian sent him to the door. At this moment, he suddenly heard someone outside announcing loudly: "His Royal Highness King Yan is here! His Royal Highness the Eldest Princess is here!"
Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but feel startled. He had just returned from Prince Yan's Mansion, and King Yan Xue Shengjing had arrived, but he didn't know why he came here this time? Was it simply to pay homage to Princess Anping? No, yesterday he
Come here, why are you here again today? It’s definitely not to pay homage to Princess Anping, most likely it’s for you.
King Xue Shengjing of Yan did not come here to pay homage to Princess Anping. The reason why he chose to show up in Qichen Palace was to show everyone that he was fine. Since the assassination incident last night, Yongdu has changed overnight.
The city is full of rumors, and there are all kinds of rumors. Some people even say that he is dying. Qichen Palace is currently where dignitaries gather. Walking around here is equivalent to making a public statement. (To be completed.)
