"The Queen Mother wants to marry the princess to Han Yan?"
Wei Qing almost jumped up when he heard this. He opened his mouth for a long time before he said: "Why?"
Su Ren didn't know how to explain it. He was not the Queen Mother, so he didn't know what the Queen Mother was thinking. Maybe he felt that Princess Pingyang was a murderer, and wanted to use Princess Pingyang to get rid of Han Yan to vent her anger. Or maybe the Queen Mother was really grateful to Han Yan and sent Princess Pingyang to her.
Praise for marrying off. A shrewd woman like the Queen Mother never takes the usual path in doing things, and Su Ren can't grasp the context.
"Compared with Han Yan and Xia Houpo, which one do you think is better?" Su Ren suddenly asked.
Wei Qing was stunned: "What do you mean? Could it be that the princess can only choose between these two people?"
Su Ren nodded: "Now it seems that it is true. Han Yan brought a letter from the Queen Mother, and Xia Houpo probably didn't come empty-handed. If I guessed correctly, the person standing behind him is the emperor."
"His Majesty?"
"Well! Although Xiahou Po is unlucky, he has eight hundred soldiers who are closest to the imperial city. If he can be drawn over, His Majesty's safety will be guaranteed. Although the Northern and Southern armies and the Forbidden Army are better, it is a pity that they cannot last long.
Liu Palace, you are now the Jianzhang Supervisor, you should know how many guards there are in the Jianzhang Palace, I think it is less than 200, right?"
Wei Qing frowned and nodded slightly: "There are one hundred and thirty-four in total, including me."
"That's right. With Xiahou Po's eight hundred soldiers, even if someone attacks the imperial city, Xiahou Po can immediately support him. As long as it's not a large army, Your Majesty doesn't have to worry at all." Su Ren patted Wei Qing's shoulder: "The royal ones
Children marry for a purpose, and there is no such thing as mutual love. No matter how good your relationship with Princess Pingyang is, you can still let it go in the face of your own safety."
Wei Qing sat silently on his horse in a daze. The road back to Pingyang Town from the Princess Mansion was very long. After walking for a long time, there was no trace of Pingyang Town. The corn fields on both sides were as tall as one person and the corn was growing very well. The farmers were working hard in the fields.
Shi Nong. This place is close to the Yellow River, and it is relatively dry this year. It is really gratifying to see such growth.
A carriage came from the other end, and four knights led the way. At first glance, they knew it was the marquis's carriage. You didn't need to guess who was sitting in it. The only real marquis who came to Pingyang to express condolences to Cao Shou was Xia Houpo.
A long way away, the carriage stopped. Xia Houpo jumped out of the carriage and saluted Su Ren first: "Sir, are you back to express your condolences?"
Su Ren and Wei Qing dismounted and saluted: "Exactly. Originally, the princess planned to stay with us for dinner. We thought that the princess was too tired these days and didn't bother her much, so we came back earlier. Why did you come so late?
?”
"Hey! It's funny to say that the axle suddenly broke when we were just going out. The guards had to change a carriage, so we came here at this time."
Su Ren smiled: "This is a good sign, it means you are about to change the carriage?"
This sentence is flattery. In the era of strict hierarchical system, there were strict regulations on the means of transportation used by people of different classes. For example, Su Ren and Wei Qing could not ride in the carriage Xiahou Po rode unless invited by Xiahou Po.
If they want to ride a carriage, they can only nail wooden boards around it and cannot have colorful decorations.
Xiahou Po chuckled and said, "I hope so! Mr. Su has met the princess?"
Su Ren nodded: "Not only the princess, Doctor Han also saw her."
"Han Yan is still in the princess mansion?"
"I don't know about that, but I heard from the servants of Pingyang Marquis that Doctor Han brought a letter from the Queen Mother, saying that he would marry Doctor Han when the princess' mourning period expires. I don't know whether it is true or not."
Xiahou was very anxious: "Is this serious?"
Su Ren shook his head: "I don't know if it's true or not. I just listened to it for a while. If you are going to the Marquis Mansion, you can go and ask again and you will know whether it is true or false."
Xia Houpo bowed deeply to Su Ren: "Thank you, sir. I'll report back later! Farewell!" Before he could finish his words, he hurriedly got into the carriage.
Seeing Xiahou Po's carriage raising smoke and dust, obviously moving much faster than before, Wei Qing asked Su Ren in confusion: "Why did the elder brother say this to Xiahou Po?"
Su Ren smiled: "Why? Let me ask you again, do you really want to marry the princess?"
Wei Qing thought for a moment and nodded solemnly.
Su Ren also nodded: "That's good. You can go back to Chang'an tomorrow and submit a letter to His Majesty asking for your hand in marriage. I will handle the rest."
"Isn't Your Majesty very optimistic about Xiahou Po? I'm afraid it will be useless even if I write!"
Su Ren smiled: "As the saying goes, people make plans and God makes things happen. You backed down before you even started. Even if you have a share, it won't fall on you. A true man stands upright and does whatever he thinks. Maybe he will.
Where is hope?"
Wei Qing took a deep breath: "That's fine, just listen to big brother!"
It was already dark when we returned to Huo Zhongru's house. Huo Zhongru was still waiting for Su Ren and Wei Qing in the lobby. After saying a few polite words, the host and guests dispersed to rest. Su Ren returned to the room and the servants sent them away.
, Han Qing and Ah Xun came out from behind the tent. Han Qing was okay, but Ah Xun hurriedly knelt down and saluted.
"Get up! The Hou Mansion has done a good job." Su Ren sat on the edge of the couch. Han Qing poured a glass of water for Su Ren. Su Ren took a sip and then said, "Isn't Han Yan still determined?"
Ah Xun immediately said: "Han Yan is still staying in Pingyang. Send someone back to report this matter to the Queen Mother."
"Let him report it. By the way, let's find out who gave the Queen Mother the idea? What's the purpose?"
A Xun said: "I only know that Princess Liu of Guantao was involved in this matter, and the Queen Mother promised Han Yan to grant her the title of Marquis. It is said that the fiefdom is far away, and I haven't found out where it is."
"Make Han Yan a marquis?" Su Ren frowned and thought carefully.
Han Qing slapped her in the face: "This is Liu's way of consolidating his position as queen."
"Oh? Mr. Han, please tell me carefully."
"This is really a multi-purpose achievement! The whole world knows that the emperor and Princess Pingyang have a deep love for each other. One is in Chang'an and the other is in Pingyang to take care of each other. The most favored wife around the emperor is from the Pingyang Marquis. If Princess Pingyang can be removed, the emperor will
A single tree is difficult to support. On the one hand, it can ensure the stability of the Queen's position, and on the other hand, there will be fewer obstacles for the Queen Mother to manage the government! I'm afraid sir, you don't know that although Princess Pingyang is a female, her words still carry a lot of weight in front of the princes and nobles!"
"Haha!" Su Ren laughed a few times and pointed at Han Qing: "A person like you who came from the Marquis Mansion has experience. I haven't figured it out after thinking about it all the way."
Han Qing also smiled: "It happens, it happens, how can I compare with you sir?"
"So, it's even more important for us to destroy this marriage?"
Han Qing and Ah Xun didn't speak. Su Ren thought for a while and said, "Immediately send someone to tell Sima Xiangru and Lord Fu Yan that the next issue of Dahan Daily will focus on the story of Pingyang Marquis. Starting from Cao Xiangguo, the great achievements of the Cao family must be written down."
If you are more public, you must at least let Princess Pingyang observe mourning for three years!"
"Okay! Do you think Han Yan can wait for this trick?" Han Qing was a little excited, his face glowing red: "In addition, we need to talk about Han Yan's scandal appropriately.
Even if Han Yan can wait for three years, he will lose the capital to become a marquis."
"That's right, let's do it!"
Han Qing asked again: "How to deal with Xiahou Po?"
Su Ren smiled and said: "If the Queen Mother's people can't succeed, do you think the Emperor's people can succeed? Let's wait for three years. Who knows what the court will look like by then, and maybe a new noble will emerge."
Seeing that Su Ren had no other instructions, Ah Xun glanced at Han Qing and said: "While I was monitoring Princess Guantao, I discovered that many alchemists had recently come to her mansion, many of whom had worked under Liu An, King of Huainan.
Originally, it was not a big deal to keep alchemists in the royal family, but after the witchcraft incident last time, my husband asked me to pay attention, so I took a few more looks."
"Oh? This is a new problem. Is there any change?"
Ah Xun quickly shook his head: "That's not true. I just make elixirs and meditate every day."
Su Ren didn't understand Liu's purpose of leaving Liu An to save his old friend, but he believed that it was definitely not a good thing. He ordered: "We will monitor her closely and report anything unusual."
"No!" Ah Xun agreed quickly.
Su Ren waved his hand: "Okay, now that we're done, let's go to bed. Wei Qing is going back to Chang'an tomorrow morning, so we have to see him off early."
Wei Qing listened to Su Ren's words and returned to Chang'an early the next morning. He left very early and no one was disturbed. By the time Su Ren got up, he would have almost arrived at Tongguan. Su Ren washed his face and had a meal, which was what he was supposed to do in Pingyang.
Everything was done and he could go back to Lou Guantai at any time. Huo Zhongru tried hard to persuade him to stay, and Huo Qubing was reunited with his mother, so Su Ren was ready to wait three days before leaving.
With nothing to do, Su Ren was drinking tea and chatting in the courtyard accompanied by Huo Zhongru. Speaking of Pingyang now, Huo Zhongru had a lot of worries. Although Cao Shou was more cowardly, he was considered a good marquis. Under Pingyang's rule over the years,
It was safe, at least nothing like what happened in Yurou Township happened, and he even provided money to lead the people of Pingyang to build the Yellow River dam. For this matter, the people of Pingyang were grateful to Cao Shou.
Huo Zhongru said that he was sad and wiped his eyes with the sleeves of his robe: "The Marquis and the princess are both good people. Who would have thought that the Marquis died young? If the princess leaves again, it is hard to say whether Pingyang will be the same as it is now.
"
Su Ren sighed: "At least this year is good. When I came back yesterday, I saw that the crops were growing very well. It should be a good year."
Huo Zhongru shook his head: "This year has been a bit dry. Last year was the best. The weather was good and the people were able to have enough to eat. We have had three years of drought and three years of floods in Pingyang. I am afraid next year will be even drier than this year. Without the help of the Hou Mansion, it is estimated that
Many people will die."
Huo Jin said: "Second uncle, your family is not short of food and clothing, so what are you worried about? Besides, there is still a court involved in the disaster!"
Huo Zhongru smiled and shook his head: "If it were like what you said, my fourth brother wouldn't have taken your family to Shuzhong back then! However, this is also the fate of my fourth brother. If I hadn't gone to Shuzhong and couldn't meet Mr.
Can I have a little gold now?"
Hawking chuckled: "That's natural. When we meet eldest brother, our Huo family will become prosperous!"
Several people smiled and turned to look at Su Ren. Su Ren frowned and stared at the tea cup in his hand in a daze. Huo Zhongru was about to shout, but was stopped by Huo Jin's eyes. The yard instantly became quiet and calm.
He waited attentively for Su Ren to think about something.
After the cup of tea cooled down, Su Ren took a long breath: "The evil spirit is causing trouble and we have to get rid of it!" (To be continued)
