When Eunuch Zhao went out to get ginseng soup for the emperor, he happened to hear the news that the empress was about to arrive, and hurriedly came in to report to the emperor.
"The Queen is here? Go and invite her in!"
The queen actually came in person and brought snacks. This was the first time in more than ten years. How could the emperor not be delighted?
The emperor dropped the brush and walked out. As soon as he walked down the steps, the empress had already walked in from the outside, surrounded by several palace people.
"Queen!" The empress, who was wearing simple casual clothes and looked very gentle, walked in like this, making the emperor feel like he had returned to more than ten years ago.
At that time, he and the empress had a deep love for each other. Whenever he was busy with government affairs, except for the empress who could give some advice and send some food to coax the emperor to eat, none of the other concubines had the courage to do anything to the emperor.
Please bother me when you are busy.
"Why is it that today, when the sun rises from the west, it comes to deliver refreshments in person?"
The emperor's eyes fell on the things held by several palace maids. He stopped the queen from bowing down, supported her, held her hand, and asked gently.
The queen smiled, waved her hand, and asked everyone to put down the snacks and then step back, saying, "I heard that he still has some merits in that area, so I came to take a look."
She came here for Su Ziji, which did not surprise the emperor.
When she arrived, she was still willing to continue coaxing him like this. The emperor was already somewhat satisfied.
His expression remained unchanged and he smiled: "Yes, this boy looks a bit like his father."
When it came to the prince, the couple was no longer speechless as they had been for more than ten years. The queen was just in a daze for a moment, then came back to her senses and smiled: "Yes, he does look a bit like Ah Fu."
The emperor knew that the queen had gone out to offer incense once, and she must have met Su Ziji there and knew how outstanding the young man was.
The queen was asked to sit aside, and the most noble couple in the world gathered around Su Ziji and chatted for a while like an ordinary couple.
It was nothing more than the emperor picking out some things he could tell about Su Ziji and telling them to the queen.
The Queen couldn't help but be slightly surprised when she heard that Su Ziji had made great achievements in flood control and actually took charge of building the diversion canals and dams in Shun'an Mansion by himself.
"This kid is a little bolder." This didn't sound like a reproach, but more of a sense of pride.
The emperor also had to admit that Su Ziji was very decisive in this matter.
He was decisive and able to do the right thing at the right time. Although a mere diversion channel and dam were insignificant to the emperor, it was of great significance.
The emperor couldn't help but admire and said: "He is a little bold, but he is quite stable in his work and can handle errands. For his current position, it is not bad."
The emperor said that it was true, this test was actually very good. Even though he did not come here simply to listen to what the emperor said, the emperor still praised Su Ziji and gave such comments, which still made the queen feel honored.
Seeing the queen smiling and listening, the emperor's mood became better and better. He also talked about some things about Su Zi's status, which were reported in the local newspaper. When he finally said that he had issued an order to give Qi Hongxin an official position, he did not
When awarding Su Ziji a reward, the emperor explained this way: "After Su Ziji has done this errand, I will let him return to the capital. With his merits, his name can be entered into the roster of the clan mansion. This is how officials are promoted.
It has nothing to do with the prince and grandson."
The queen expressed her understanding: "Your Majesty has a reason to do this. I believe that your Majesty will not deceive me."
The two chatted for a while, and then the queen left.
Watching her leave, the emperor was stunned for a long time. He picked up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth. It was sweet and glutinous in the mouth. The taste was not very good, but it was very familiar.
"It's really her craftsmanship." The emperor ate slowly and couldn't help but smile, his smile was bitter.
The emperor stood up. The imperial study room was connected to the hall and was very deep. The emperor took a walk for a while and saw that another eunuch had sent some memorials. With the help of Eunuch Zhao, he put them on the table.
Looking at the place where the memorials had just been reviewed, another small pile was piled up. Even though he had been used to it for a long time, the emperor sighed silently again.
I feel tired and my energy can't keep up.
The emperor picked up a memorial from the new pile without unfolding it. When he looked at it, his eyes darkened slightly.
This was handed over by the person I had installed in Shun'an Mansion to keep an eye on Su Ziji and Qi Hongxin. It should be another report about Su Ziji and Qi Hongxin.
Just when I was about to start watching, I suddenly heard the sound of a piano coming from outside.
Who is playing the piano?
This is the palace, not the bustling streets outside, let alone a private residence where officials and families gather. It is some distance from the harem. Who is so bold as to play the piano in a place like this?
The emperor was puzzled and glanced at Eunuch Zhao: "Let someone check who is playing the piano."
"Yes, I will ask someone to investigate right now." Eunuch Zhao immediately responded and left.
Both the emperor and Eunuch Zhao felt that the most likely possibility was that one of the palace concubines suddenly got mad and ran nearby to play the piano to seduce the emperor.
"I don't know what to say!" the emperor said coldly, took the secret document reporting new information on Su Ziji and Qi Hong in his hand, and opened it to read.
After reading the above content, the emperor's face suddenly sank.
"Qi Hongxin died like this?" This kind of death method for a famous minister made the emperor's face darken slightly.
Although Qi Hongxin worked hard and made great contributions in Shun'an Mansion before, the emperor "clearly saw" Su Ziji's character and mind, so the emperor decided to let it go.
But even the emperor did not expect that it would be such a coincidence. The other party died on the embankment at the moment when the eunuch who delivered the order arrived.
More than ten years ago, the prince, his favorite son, was killed by him. In the prince's mansion, all the chickens and dogs were wiped out overnight, and there was no one left alive. This father-son killing was caused by the anger of the moment.
I care about it, but when I come back to my senses, even though I can't regret it, I feel a thorn in my heart that I can't extricate myself from.
Outsiders may think that he has ignored Qi Hongxin for more than ten years and allowed him to work hard to do practical things, but has always suppressed him and prevented him from being promoted. This is why he is labeled as a princeling and because he does not trust him.
It will not be reused.
But in fact, every person who was related to the incident of father and son killing each other was extremely disgusting in the eyes of the emperor, regardless of their status or status.
"I am not a mean and ungrateful king, so I sent him away from afar."
"If it had been any other emperor, I'm afraid he would have been killed long ago."
"But now, Qi Hongxin, if you die, all the people back then will be almost dead... That's fine." Looking at the secret fold in his hand, the emperor sighed, and without hesitation said with the ink pen in his hand: "Wait for the flood with Su Ziji
After the matter is settled, I should be ordered to return to Beijing."
What was handed over this time were several secret documents that had been sent to the capital one after another. Because they arrived at the front and back, they were handed to the imperial court together.
After the emperor read the above secret book, he picked up another secret book and opened it to read. After reading it for a while, his face darkened.