Chapter 64: Palace Banquet

New Year's Eve is approaching, and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere in the capital. At this time, there was good news in the palace that the queen was pregnant.
To say that Bai Zhixuan has also been dead for several months. During the period, some new people were recruited in the harem, and she didn't particularly like Chu Sanghuai. Now that this matter came out, everyone suddenly realized that it was the queen who had been spoiled again.
It’s strange to say that when Chu Sanghuai was still the prince, the heirs under his knees were very thin. Finally, a side concubine gave birth to a young son, but he fell into the water before he was three years old and died. Chu Sanghuai was furious at the time. All the servants were hanged, and their families were put in jail. Such a tyrannical act even shocked the palace. Although the first emperor sympathized with the pain of losing his son, he never condemned him, but he made some criticisms.
After he took the throne, the harem became more and more full, and there were many women with good looks and affection. He also wandered around the flowers. Except for Bai Zhixuan to go more diligently, he would basically change to different people every night. Under this circumstance, only a few concubines gave birth to children for him, but they were all not taken seriously because of the low birth order.
Now that there is joy in the central palace, the status of the protégé does not need to be said. If it is a boy, there will be a candidate for the crown prince. It can also be regarded as a worry for Chu Sanghuai. Naturally, it is necessary to celebrate it, so in the palace of the twenty-eighth lunar month The banquet was set up and many relatives, relatives and important officials of the emperor were invited.
In the evening, the carriage drove out of Prince Lan's Mansion.
Chu Jinglan originally didn't want to take Ye Huaiyang, her cough was still not good, the night was cold, and it might get worse again, but she had to follow, and all kinds of tricks took turns to play, he couldn't be stunned for a while, so she had to let her Followed like a little tail.
In the long street, the snow fell, and the three-inch orange light hung up like thousands of ice butterflies flying, a mottled light and shadow.
The two in the car are still enjoying a short and warm time.
"...Next time you cry and make noise, I will let your blossom."
In the dim light, Ye Huaiyang's face faintly flushed, but her phoenix eyes were bright and translucent, like stars on the horizon, and then she took out her hand to hook Chu Jinglan's neck, and said softly: " I knew it was wrong, my husband is forgiving."
When she came out earlier, she used the same set of dealing with Ye Huaili to deal with him. He knew that she was acting, but he didn't see her frowning and drenched mouth, so she fulfilled her wish. Who knew she would do it as soon as she got in the car. At the beginning of laughing, he deliberately scolded her, but at the end of the day, where is he willing to beat her? Does she really know her fault?
Chu Jinglan's heart was open, but she didn't break her through, so that she was lying in her arms and acting sweetly, but she took off her delicate hand and put it in her palm, and she covered it warmly after a while.
"That's right." Ye Huaiyang seemed to think of something, and stepped a little away and asked, "There are two days left before New Year's Eve. Then I will let Huai Xin and Huai Ling come to celebrate the New Year together?"
Chu Jinglan played with her lush jade fingers, unable to stop at the round Kou tip, seeming to love it, and then uttered a few words in a warm voice: "Don't go back to my home?"
"I'm not going back, I'm afraid that my big brother will blow his beard and stare at me again." Ye Huaiyang chuckled, as sweet as a silver bell, "Will you invite Yuan Shu to come with you? There are too many people, and it saves Huai Ling. The girl digs her mind all day and runs out."
"It's all up to you."
Her consistent pampering tone, almost without thinking, made her smile and bend her eyes happily.
During the conversation, the gate of Yongding was already in front of him, and the number of scented chariots and jade lords parked at the door increased. Many court officials and their families were walking inside one after another, wearing fox fur and mink hats, hairpins and gold beads, making them luxurious. Ye Huaiyang lifted the curtain and took a look, then sighed and climbed down Chu Jinglan's legs. He smiled cleverly, and instantly became quite heavy.
Chu Jinglan saw her pretentious posture and couldn't help teasing: "Is the theater group going to start again?"
"Who am I doing this for?" Ye Huaiyang raised his eyebrows and bit his lip bitterly. He gave a symbolic peck and then blocked her away.
"It's time to kiss the makeup again."
Ye Huaiyang collapsed and looked at him. Shui Liangliang's eyes were filled with grievances, "I have to double to replenish me when I go home."
Chu Jinglan smiled and agreed.
After that, the two got off the car one after another, and walked into the palace gate at a short distance. There were countless glazed palace lanterns standing along the way, shining brightly, illuminating the courtyard as bright as day, and also illuminating the cold faces of the two. The passing family members saw that they couldn't help whispering, and it was true that King Lan's husband and wife did not agree.
Walking outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, fireworks were set off in the sky, colorful and dazzling, resounding through the sky, Bi Pavilion Jinlan and Qionglin Yurui complemented each other, a magnificent scene.
Ye Huaiyang seemed to be attracted, stopped to look up quietly, her feet were plain like clouds, and the sky was full of beautiful flowers. She was not eye-catching in her long dress in lotus root, but the moment the wind blew, the snow-colored ribbons fluttered like light. Yuncang Yanfeng enveloped her graceful figure, graceful and extremely dusty, almost trying to ride the wind, and I don't know how many young brothers were blinded.
She didn't notice anything. After watching the fireworks, she was about to walk into the hall. Unexpectedly, she met Chu Jinglan's deep gaze, only to realize that he was looking back at him, a little embarrassed and anxious at the moment.
There are people coming and going at the gate of this temple, and he stares at her so fiercely, what if he wants people to see it?
She didn't think much about it, and was about to go in quickly. Unexpectedly, a chuckle suddenly came from behind: "Oh, isn't this sister Yejia?"
Ye Huaiyang glanced back, saw two familiar figures, and suddenly narrowed his eyes.
As early as in Jingzhou, she had heard that Wang Wanting was betrothed to King Lu. She did not expect to meet here today. Although it is a combination of handsome men and women, it is annoying to look at it at all, not to mention this set With a curvy tone, she came to find the fault when she heard it. She turned around coldly and stared at the two approaching indifferently.
"Princess Lu, you should call me Wang Sao in terms of eldest and youngest. The eldest sister of this elder sister should be saved.
Wang Wanting didn't expect her to choke with her mouth open, she was suddenly angry, but Chu Luze smiled deep, and then took the conversation: "Wang Sao said that in this forbidden palace, we must obey the rules. of."
Ye Huaiyang looked at his face and felt uncomfortable. She didn't bother to talk with him. She turned around and entered the hall. Who knows Wang Wanting said in a calm manner behind him: "Now I know how to use etiquette to overwhelm others. I don’t know who indulged my concubine into the palace to seduce my husband!"
Hearing this, Ye Huaiyang stopped immediately, and even Chu Jinglan's face behind her became cold. She seemed to feel it. She turned her head and gave him a soothing look. Then she smiled at Wang Wanting and said: "Who Are there few blind sisters in the family?"
After that, she left with Chu Jinglan without looking back. Wang Wanting was stunned. It took a long time to realize that she was scolding her. When she looked at Chu Luze on the side, she already snorted heavily with her face like charcoal. So she flicked her sleeves in, didn't even try to pull her, she stomped her feet with anger, and then followed.
Outside the hall, the moon is cold and frost river, and the hall is warm like spring. Dozens of huanghuali heads raised up a white jade pool. Dancers filed in with Shao Le, spinning barefoot in it, with sleeves swinging and swaying.
Today, the queen dress is extraordinarily glamorous. I don’t know whether it’s because of the loss of her usual dignity or the recent love of the emperor. Her entire face is lit up. The person in her thirties seems to suddenly return to the state of a girl in her boudoir, occasionally squeezing. A sip of fruit wine, or whispering to Chu Sanghuai, made her face red.
Also, how can you be unhappy when you are pregnant with your first child in your thirties?
However, this situation inexplicably touched Ye Huaiyang's heartstrings. She finished drinking the wine in silence, her phoenix eyes lowered and she was slightly startled.
She had imagined how her and Chu Jinglan’s children would look like countless times. She also thought that if a boy was a boy, she would teach him politics, economy, riding and shooting, and govern the country. If a girl, let her go and choose for her in the future. An indomitable husband, of course he must have the ability, and he must spoil her to his bones, just like Chu Jinglan spoils herself.
However, she just thought about it, and even deliberately avoided discussing these things with Chu Jinglan, because she knew that they were all in danger now, not only could not protect the children, but all the previous efforts would be in vain and she could not give He increased the pressure, he had already carried enough.
On the other side, Chu Sanghuai was in a happy mood. Wang Ying and Wang Jian took turns to toast. A few words of congratulations made him excited, and then he heard him laugh loudly.
"There are two competent ministers in the court to share our worries, and a queen in the harem as my heir, my heart is so happy!"
The two hurriedly bowed their heads to salute and said: "Xie Huang is favored, but the ministers dare not be ashamed."
"The two Qings don't need to be modest, I see your merits in my eyes, come here! Bring things up!"
Chu Sanghuai shouted, and immediately an walked out from behind the dragon chair, holding an orange scroll and came to them. The two looked at each other, not knowing what medicine Chu Sanghuai was selling in the gourd. Consciously raised his robe and knelt down.
"What are you kneeling? This will is not for you."
The two of them suddenly became embarrassed, but seeing Chu Sanghuai smiled comfortably, they did not dare to show dissatisfaction. Then they heard the shout loudly: "From now on, the central salt and iron reinstatement rights will be restored, and the household will be closed. Ministry Inspector Wang Feng is the governor of Jiangnan and supervises the taxation of Jiangnan salt and iron.
Everyone was shocked when he said this.
The return of salt and iron to its roots was harsh and bad government. It was just abolished when the first emperor was in power. Now, the land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River has finally prospered. This decree may make the people complain. The important ministers here all understand this, but their faces are not the same. Some are sad and worried for the people, some are happy because the fatness falls in the hands of the Wang family, and some are so angry that their faces are blue. , Such as Xie Yuan.
That's right, he knew from Yue Ting's mouth that Chu Sanghuai was going to issue this edict, because the treasury had already bottomed out, and he was busy all this time in order to take this errand to the Xie family. Unexpectedly, because the queen was pregnant, he was a miss, and he really made him vomit blood! It was just that Chu Jinglan had already spoken before he had figured out how to stop it.
"The emperor, since ancient times, the world's bestowed salt has occupied half of the profits, and the profits of private sellers are even greater. If the salt and iron are collected, the price will rise, and the people will definitely suffer. Please think twice!
Chu Sanghuai smiled suddenly, staring at him gloomily and said, "The imperial brother means that I don't understand the suffering of the people?"
Chu Jinglan's expression was cold and unwavering, and his deep eyes could not discern his emotions. After a while, he said slowly: "The minister dare not, but this move involves many things, such as building a government office, expanding recruitment, and improving service flow. It takes time and money to be unpredictable, so..."
He deliberately left half a sentence without finishing it, but everyone present knew that the current household department simply couldn't afford this expense, so he immediately attracted the secondment of other ministers.
"Enlighten the emperor, Jiangnan will be relieved of natural disasters three years ago. It is really not suitable to bear this heavy tax!"
Wang Ying turned around and retorted: "You know that it was three years ago. Nowadays, there are many Hushang Mutual Markets in the south of the Yangtze River. Their wealthy and aristocratic people are the first in the Chu State, and the tax system should be restored."
"That's right." Wang Jian also spoke up. "As the saying goes, it's a virtuous circle if it is taken from the people and used for the people. If the center is shut down, how can the people in Jiangnan have such a good life?"
"Master Wang's words are not correct..."
"enough!"
Xie Yuan was interrupted by Chu Sanghuai's roar just as he spoke. Although his heart was extremely angry, he dared not make a sound, lest the thunder anger would fall on him, and the other courtiers also silently silenced.
"I asked you to come here for a feast, not to participate in politics! This is the case, and any dissidents will be dealt with in disorder!"
The hall was quiet, and no one spoke.
Chu Jinglan noticed that Chu Sanghuai's gloomy gaze swept over, the corners of his eyes were lightly raised, and he greeted the past indifferently, passing through the broken shadows of palace lanterns, separated by the long-level imperial case, and intersected far in the air, like two sharp swords violently hit , Full of sharpness, deep cold and severe.
The author has something to say: It’s another chess game. Interested friends can guess what roles Wang, Xie and Yue play~