Chapter 163： Refusal

When the convoy of the four princes went to Zhenbeihoufu to pick up the four princes to the gate of Zhenbeihoufu, Zhenbeihoufu was completely white. The old lady is at the level of the princess, and there are procedures for the funeral. But now Houyuan in Zhenbei is in Yancheng, his life and death are unknown, and the information is not available. According to law, the funeral and burial cannot be completed, and the funeral cannot be completed. All the accounts had to be kept. The **** in the palace said outside the door that he had come to pick up the four princes back to the palace, and let them pass in.

This decree was not made on anyone in Zhenbeihou’s mansion, so people in Zhenbeihou’s mansion didn’t have to come out to receive the decree, but the people at the door were from Zhenbeihou’s mansion, so naturally they would not tell the fourth prince directly. It was reported to Laoguan, who then went to find Su Wanniang who was in charge of the house.

Su Wanniang and Liu had just spent some breakfast with Yang in the lobby. After crying for several days, Yang felt dizzy and frustrated. She put down the porridge bowl and asked, "Wen'er isn't eating yet?"

Su Wanniang sighed: "I asked my sister to eat a few bites yesterday, but she cried when she swallowed, but she vomited again..."

Yang is about to cry: "Don't she be sick..."

Su Wanniang said hurriedly: "I'll try to persuade her later and give her some rice soup."

Yang asked: "Where is Qiang'er?"

Liu said: "He ate with Da Lang and Xiao Lang, but he ate something."

Yang nodded, and Su Wanniang whispered: "Mother, the battle report says that the second brother has won, and he should soon be able to clear the siege if he wants to come to Yancheng." Now that the overall situation is set, the good news can be told to Yang.

Yang frowned and said weakly, "I didn't want to say anything bad, but your second wife is too rude. Grandmother won't come back after her death..."

Su Wanniang winked at Xia Qing at the door. Xia Qing went out, looked around, and came back and said to Su Wanniang simply: "No one." Before the Hou Mansion ransacked the servant, there was no one in the yard.

Su Wanniang whispered to the Yang family, "Mother, the second wife is not in the temple..."

Yang's surprised: "Then where is she!"

Su Wanniang lowered her voice: "She went to the border gate and was with her second brother."

Yang's hand was shocked, and he blurted out: "She...she is so bold!"

Liu thought that he had been guarding here since Shen Yi left. For a few years, he didn't want to go to the border to find Shen Yi and smiled with tears in tears and said, "Second siblings are really affectionate."

Su Wanniang said to the Yang family: "Second sister-in-law is very keen. She is the second brother's military adviser, mother, this matter can't be spread."

The Yang nodded repeatedly: a woman showed up in the barracks, and there is a misconduct, if this is leaked... Yang sighed deeply: "I really can't control it, you can figure it out, I want to lie down for a while."

The Liu family and Su Wanniang hurriedly helped Yang family and went to Yang family's bedroom. Yang family lay on the bed and told Su Wanniang to have some food for Shen Wen. The Liu family and Su Wanniang left and went to the board of directors respectively. Laoguan came to see Su Wanniang and said to her, "A man from the palace has taken the fourth prince."

Su Wanniang frowned: "Go and ask him. If he wants to go back, he will go back with them. If he doesn't want to, he will say he is sick and wait a few more days."

Lao Guan responded and said in a low voice, "I heard someone say that the prince was abolished."

Su Wanniang's eyes widened: "Really!" Lao Guan nodded, and Su Wanniang said hurriedly: "Go and let someone inquire and give me a quasi-trust." Lao Guan hurriedly left.

An hour later, Laoguan sent a message to Su Wanniang, saying that the news was true. Su Wanniang was excited, and Shen Wen's planning for so many years was really successful. She hurriedly went to see Shen Wen, who was dressed in filial obedience, half kneeling in front of the coffin, she had no strength to cry anymore, just in a daze.

Su Wanniang whispered to Shen Wen: "The prince is abolished."

Victory arrived, but Shen Wen didn't feel happy, but whimpered again: "Grandma...Grandma..." Did not wait for this day.

Su Wanniang wanted to cry too, but seeing that Shen Wen was already skinny and she knew that she could not go on like this anymore, she quickly comforted: "You don't want to torture yourself so much. Grandma is alive in the sky, and I won't like to see you hurt so much. sad."

Shen Wen murmured: "It's my fault..."

Here again, Su Wanniang endured the bitterness and continued to persuade Shen Wen until Shen Wen calmed down, and then she persuaded Shen Wen to drink some rice soup. Seeing that Shen Wen had drunk the soup and did not vomit, Su Wanniang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking of the Fourth Prince in her heart, and left the mourning hall. Sure enough, seeing someone waiting for her, she said that the Fourth Prince would like to thank her before leaving.

At this time the Yang family was in bed and Shen Wen was still immersed in grief. Su Wanniang did not intend to disturb them. In her mind, the fourth prince was her future husband. At this time, the two of them happened to meet each other, but for the sake of etiquette, Su Wanniang So I went to find Shen Qiang, and took him to the front yard to meet the Four Princes-on the one hand, he should not meet foreign guests privately, on the other hand, the Four Princes would like to thank the Hou Mansion for the shelter, and the Hou Mansion is the longest The host is Shen Qiang, and it is also Shen Qiang who rescued the fourth prince, so it is appropriate for him to see the fourth prince.

Shen Qiang calmly followed Su Wanniang to the front yard. Su Wanniang led Shen Qiang to salute the four princes, and the four princes were busy paying them back. Seeing that Su Wanniang was next to the black and strong young man, he understood Su Wanniang's intentions. He said to Shen Qiang: "Thank you for your rescue." He is older than Shen Qiang and is a prince, so he cannot salute Shen Qiang.

Shen Qiang stared at the four princes and asked, "Do you know who ordered my house to be ransacked" is a question he kept asking.

Su Wanniang shook his head at the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince looked at Shen Qiang and hesitated for a moment, and said: "The person who ordered has been deposed as a prince, and he has already been punished."

After receiving an answer, Shen Qiang had light in his eyes. He looked at the fourth prince carefully, as if to remember this different person, and then said, "I want to meet him."

Su Wanniang shook her head again. The fourth prince looked at Shen Qiang and hesitated for a moment, and said, "I will ask for you..." It was very smooth.

Shen Qiang nodded: "Okay, go and ask, then tell me..."

Su Wanniang got a cold sweat, afraid that Shen Qiang would say anything, and hurriedly saluted the four princes, saying: "His Royal Highness takes care. If you have anything, you can let people know."

The four princes were reluctant to leave, but knew that they could not stay any longer, so they said goodbye to Su Wanniang and Shen Qiang, helped Ding's hand to go out of Zhenbeihou Mansion, got on the carriage in the palace, and returned to the palace.

The capital was full of joy, and people could be heard enthusiastically talking about the cessation of the prince, and some people even set off firecrackers. Some people praised the emperor’s wiseness loudly and condemned the prince’s innocence...

The four princes knew that this was not the decision of Mingjun, but the result of a wrestling. He didn't know whether he should like it or sorrow, but felt depressed-here is calculated, one is his biological father, the other is His half-brother, by blood, was closer to him than others, but as soon as he came back that day, he was sent to death by these two men. How could he be partial to them but at the beginning of the relationship, It’s the bond of family, and it’s the deepest darkness. If this matter is clarified, how many vindicators would point their noses and scold him, telling him that he would not be born without his father. In this world, how can he not help his father in case of trouble, but choose an outsider, even if he uses some reasons such as upholding morality or taking care of the people of the community to defend his behavior, he is also ashamed of his personal virtue...The four princes are entangled with themselves. , While being on guard against returning to the palace, I don't know whether it is bad or good.

Back in the palace, the four princes were immediately led to see the emperor. In his impression, the emperor was still the elder with a majestic expression that day, so the four princes entered the dormitory, and suddenly saw the emperor who was old and twitched, leaning on a pile of pillows, and was taken aback. To conceal his surprise, the four princes bowed their heads and saluted: "I have seen my father." My God! It's only ten days, but the father seems to be more than ten years old! That's why Miss Shen Er wants to enter the palace-tell the emperor personally that she is "deadly ill"! In the deep palace, who would dare to say "you are seriously ill" to the emperor means that the emperor is really ill, and everyone has to say good things. Here, the **** and the court lady smiled when they saw the emperor. The emperor had never seen a person like Miss Shen Er in his life. He dared to tell him frankly that his life would not be long, and this alone killed the emperor half his life...

The emperor raised his hand and motioned for the fourth prince to approach, and the fourth prince limped out of the bed.

The emperor motioned to the servant Ding: "You, go out."

Ding's attendant had to bow his head and back out.

The emperor patted the side of the bed, "Come... sit... sit... here..."

The four princes lowered their heads, moved carefully, and sat down on the edge of the bed. He was close to the emperor. He could see that the emperor had a layer of gray, old and haggard. The four princes hadn't touched the father for a long time, but the father and son were affectionate. , Blood is thicker than water. Seeing that the emperor is so decadent, the fourth prince’s nose is sour, and the feeling of guilt is stronger. The balance in his heart tilts, and he can’t help but ask softly: "Is the emperor have orders?"

The emperor snorted and said: "You...you will supervise the country on behalf of me."

The four princes hurriedly got up and saluted: "Father! The child has a disability and has never participated in government affairs before..."

The emperor waved his hand weakly: "Just go and learn..." Then he closed his eyes.

The four princes immediately felt that their limbs were **** by the net and were extremely heavy, but when he saw the emperor like this, he also knew that someone had to represent the emperor's board of directors, so he did not argue anymore.

The fourth prince came out of the palace, and Grandpa Sun followed him out and said: "His Royal Highness will follow the servants and maids, and the servants will introduce a few courtiers to the Fourth Royal Highness..." , Walked very slowly, and it took a long time to reach the side hall. Several civil servants came up to salute, and the fourth prince politely returned, but he didn’t ask anything. He listened to the reports of the civil servants eagerly. The words "Don't shut oneself up and hang up high" were written in horizontal lines and pasted on my forehead.

After waiting for the words of several people to come to an end, the fourth prince expressed tiredness and got up to say goodbye. Grandpa Sun wanted to arrange for the four princes to live in the palace near the emperor's neighbourhood, but the four princes insisted on returning to their past courtyard. In the evening, he and Ding's servant finally walked into the residence he had left for almost four years.

Xishan sunset, the shadows are obliquely long. The fourth prince supported Ding’s arm, standing in his familiar and unfamiliar yard. For a moment, he felt sad and almost cried: He unexpectedly returned, and once again returned to this one that suffocated him but also carried countless memories of his growth. local. No one has lived in this courtyard since he left. Recently, the eunuchs and palace ladies have been busy moving the capital, and no one has cleaned it. The windows, gates and pavilions are covered with dust and cobwebs, the trees are sluggish, and the ground is full of withered grass.

Attendant Ding's energy to clean up the house in the imperial mausoleum was gone. Looking at the decadence, he asked in a low voice, "His Royal Highness, or else, let's make do with the night elsewhere." On that day, they hurriedly left Jiang's house, naturally they didn't bring any bedding or furnishings. In the Zhenbeihou Mansion, they used other people's houses, but when they arrived in the palace, they couldn't use the things in the palace casually. But in this situation, I really have to live in another palace.

The fourth prince shook his head, and said: "Just make do for a night, tomorrow you go to Jiang's house to pick up our things, don't make too much, move in trouble." He doesn't want to live here for a long time!

Attendant Ding had to find someone, cleaned out the dormitory, and let the four princes go to sleep first, and the next time he arrived at the palace, a truckload of objects was transported from Jiang's house, finally making this place liveable again.

Ding Nai waiter used money to sort out the past relationship, and soon got the cause and effect of the prince's abolition, and returned to tell the four princes. The fourth prince nodded silently, and did not accuse the prince angrily, but Ding Naibu felt that the fourth prince was very generous.

The four princes began to go to Dianmao to work every day, but only sat for a day and seldom spoke.

In the first few days, the civilian officials thought that the four princes had just arrived and were unfamiliar with political affairs, so naturally they didn’t talk much. However, in the following days, the four princes didn’t do anything at all. The simplest things are not taken care of, and always have headaches. Let Ding Nai wait for half an hour to massage, and then retreat to rest in the afternoon, and never make any decision.

With the emperor’s illness, there was no sign of moving the capital, and the four princes were naturally less anxious. Others didn’t know if the capital would be moved, and they didn’t dare to break up their luggage, so they could only wait day by day.

Although the four princes lived in a muddle-headed manner, many things happened inside and outside the palace.

The prince in claustrophobia was awakened from a dream by three people in one night, and someone said: "This is for Miss Lu!" Not to mention the princess, it probably means that the Lu family no longer recognizes the husband-in-law. Then he attacked the prince, beating and cursing, which was many times more vicious than the prince's original scolding. The prince hit his nose and head cracked, his hands and feet were broken, and he was kicked into an eunuch. After the imperial doctor bandaged him, he was almost like the dead man who had been engulfed.

Not only that, the remaining women in the harem of the prince prince have also fallen. Some were beaten severely and some were disfigured. Sun Fengyi, who told the prince and princess to leave, had his tongue cut.

The prince vaguely said that it was the Lu family who made the beating. In fact, if he didn't say it, everyone could see it. The Lu family is the gate of the three phases, and has been operating a network of civil officials for nearly a hundred years, so the old students are all over the court and the public. Such a portal, the eldest daughter of the eldest son of the long house, and the granddaughter of the old lady Lu is the most important woman in the Lu family. How can she be beaten to death by her husband? A woman in the Lu family can not be loved, but should be respected. . If the Lu family does not retaliate for the death of the princess, then how can the women of the Lu family stand in their husband’s house in the future and no one can trust the women of the Lu family, and be insulted, even if the prince is not deposed, the old lady Lu will also It won’t make him feel better, not to mention that the crown prince is annulled.

Someone told Sun Gonggong, who knew that the emperor hated the prince now, so he didn't tell the emperor. What the prince said it was the Lu family, the Lu family only had to say that someone had planted it, and he pushed it away. Even if it was really done by the Lu family, he would not be able to catch a single piece of hair. The prince is now an abandoned prince. He had no possibility of being used again because of his attempt to kill his father. Now that he has been beaten to the face, let alone think about it.

The four princes heard the news from Ding’s attendant, and they were terrified for a while: his eldest brother, who has been superior to others since he was a child, was enlightened by a famous teacher and established the prince. For so many years, he has been under one person and over ten thousand people. In the end, he was like this. The end shows that the world is hard and the retribution is unhappy.

He was feeling emotional. Someone outside the door asked to see him, saying that it was Liu Shi Lang from the right of the Ministry of Rites.

The fourth prince naturally didn't know that this was the man who had boarded the third prince's mansion back then, and wanted to tell the third prince about the Lu family's granddaughter, so he only invited people in.

After Liu Shilang saluted, he glanced at the legs of the fourth prince, and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness, although you and I have never met, but I look down on His Highness very kind."

The four princes smiled and didn't say anything. This is his style these days: he doesn't say anything, just smiles.

Liu Shilang said: "I know that his Highness has not yet married a wife, and the mentor, Mrs. Lu, has a granddaughter under the knees of his mentor. She has a beautiful face and a gentle temper..."

The four princes suddenly felt: It turned out to be for this! The prince held by the Lu family fell to the ground, and the third prince was coming back, so they wanted to find someone to replace the prince.

The fourth prince smiled and shook his head and said, "I have a disability and I am not worthy of a famous person."

Shilang Liu shook his hand and said: "His Royal Highness is too humble! Your Royal Highness is the grandson of the phoenix, so how can you not be worthy of a famous Highness, don't miss a good marriage."

The fourth prince just wanted to refuse, and suddenly remembered the tragic situation of the prince being beaten. Now he is a servant in the palace. It is too easy for Lu Shi to rectify himself, so he still smiled and said, "It must be done. Let the father make the decision, I shouldn't think too much about it." I pushed it out first.

Liu Shilang stood up and said goodbye: "If that's the case, I'm going to retire, your Highness must think about it, don't miss the opportunity."

The fourth prince nodded and agreed: "Okay, waiter walks slowly." He sent the person out.

There was no one in the room, and the four princes raised their heads and sighed, and said, "Brother Three Emperors don't know when he will arrive in Beijing. I can't wait."

Old Madam Lu listened to the behavior of the four princes and smiled and said, "He is cautious." The man nodded and agreed: "The four princes have always avoided disputes. It seems that they don't want to block the limelight of the third princes."

Mrs. Lu laughed again: "He doesn't want to block, but the emperor doesn't want to block..." he ordered again.

The army of Ping Yuanhou and the third prince finally arrived near the capital. A hundred miles away, Ping Yuanhou said to the people: "Let people line up to open the way, drums and music will greet the people, the three princes defeated Bei Rong and returned victorious. Now!" The sergeants were ordered to leave, and after a while, cheers rang out around the originally quiet team.

This call grew louder and spread all the way to the capital: the three princes defeated Bei Rong! we won!

The capital had just been lively a few days ago, and now it’s even more lively. People got a good news. Although the army is still a hundred miles away, there are already firecrackers and gongs on the streets, ringing through the capital and even the palace. All heard the loud noise outside the palace.

The sleeping emperor was awakened and asked what was the matter. Grandpa Sun stepped forward and whispered: "It is reported that Ping Yuan Hou and the third emperor’s class were back in the court and won a great victory. They have now reached a hundred miles outside the city, inside the city. The people are all celebrating."

The emperor’s lips trembled, and his face looked a bit hideous because of muscle spasms. He slowly said: "They turned out to be... they turned out to be..." He couldn't say enough, but now he understands-now the righteous soldiers have won a great victory. Then those initial defeats are fake! Hou Pingyuan lied about the military situation! Intentionally inducing the prince to copy and kill the two governments ...... They came back, Wanmin congratulated, and the people's desires made them and the prince who ordered the killing of the two houses a shame! If he hadn't sacrificed the prince, when the army arrived at the city, he had to give up the prince! The Yulin Army they sent was definitely designed to be eliminated. The army left in the city was not enough to contend with them. If they did it, probably the people would help the volunteers, just like when they ransacked the two provinces...someone was behind in twists and turns. Planning this event, step by step, forced the prince, and even myself! It must be from the third prince! Ping Yuan Hou must also be blended into it, he is indeed rebellious!

The emperor gasped: "Let... let the four princes come!" Then he struggled to get up and wrote an edict himself.

The four princes hurried over at the call and saluted the emperor. The emperor quivered his lips and said to the four princes: "I want to... make you... the prince..."

The four princes were so frightened that they knelt and said to the emperor: "Father! No! The child is disabled and cannot be a prince!" The intimacy caused by the emperor's sickness these days was immediately burned by the inner anger: he was made the prince. He has no money and no power. Lu's side just lost the prince, and he will definitely come to assist him. The three princes have long been full of staff, both civil and military, and now they have won back to the court. If they take the decree, the court will once again form the previous pattern. The power of the Lu family will fight against the generals and the Qingliu. The emperor is in the middle of balance. , He embarked on the road of the prince... The emperor is really a good father!

The emperor knew whoever wanted to resign at this time, lest he was tempting, so he handed the edict he wrote to the four princes: "Don't be afraid, I am the emperor, and the crown prince. Now I have chosen you! I have written it. Well, you are now the prince, and you will become the emperor in the future..." It stands to reason that you should not be so rash, but now the emperor is ill and the officials cannot be seen, and the imperial court is chaotic. If the prime minister or officials of the Ministry of Rites are called again, The emperor didn't know what would go wrong in the middle. It's better to hand it over to the fourth prince directly. This is about the future of the fourth prince. If you want to come to the fourth prince, you will take good care of it.

The four princes shook their heads again and again: "The child is dull and can't bear this important task!"

The emperor grinned: "During your period of imprisonment, you have achieved outstanding results. When you are a prince, you can become emperor in the future, so the emperor should not be humble." He thought that the four princes were modest and polite, and he did not believe that anyone would treat this. The seat is not tempted! What emperor is this! Lord of a country! Emperor! Who doesn't want to be the fourth prince is hypocritical, and doesn't know what ecstasy is like!

The four princes said that I didn't do a single thing during the period of imprisonment, and I kept it to the three emperors. What was effective and lazy was about the same. Didn’t this put me on the fire? You can only say repeatedly: "Father! Don’t! My child is really incapable of this..." Who wants to be the emperor and see what you are now? Is this a good day

The emperor coughed a few times and said evilly: "What is ability? I said you can, you can! Besides..." He motioned to the four princes to get closer, and the four princes suppressed the unwillingness in their hearts and moved forward a few inches. The emperor tilted his mouth and said, "I heard that you were running to the Hou Mansion in Zhenbei, and the black dragon at Hou's house in Zhenbei shot the person who followed you to death..."

The four princes were taken aback. Heilong, it was the boy. He blinked and said, "That's the fourth son of Zhenbeihou. Although it's a bit dark, it's not a dragon..."

The emperor interrupted: "It's the dragon! It's the black dragon escorted by the Shen family! Whoever he followed is the emperor! ..." A slobber of saliva dripped from his mouth.

The four princes looked at the emperor with a little horror--Is the father crazy? In order to push himself up, he made up nonsense. He stepped back and said: "Father, this, the son said, respecting ghosts and gods? Far away..."

The emperor waved his hand angrily: "This is the legacy of the ancestor Tai++! Remember, you have to declare your will in front of the Manchu Civil and Martial Arts. If you are embarrassed, I will give this edict to the grandson and let him read it!"

The four princes were anxious and said hurriedly: "Father, let the child proclaim the chapter!"

Contempt flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he nodded and said, "Okay...you...you read it yourself..."

He really wanted to see the expression on the face of the three princes Ping Yuanhou: You are the prince who forced the palace and how the prince prince was crippled! You must not be able to pass it, except for him, for generations to come, you also have to bear the word "used"!

The four princes seemed to be able to see the emperor's thoughts. He lowered his head and dared not look at the emperor anymore, suppressing his sudden impulse to pinch the emperor's neck, got up to salute and retired, and left the emperor's bedroom.

The emperor saw that the four princes were gone, and then gasped and said to Grandpa Sun, "They... are all... the same virtue!"

Grandpa Sun said anxiously: "Your Majesty can't move and get angry. The doctor said that your Majesty wants to rest."

The emperor gave a weak cough and lay down again.

The four princes hurriedly returned to their residence, sat down at the book table, told Ding Nai waiter to light up incense, opened the edict and read it carefully, trying to find out if there was anything that could be tampered with. Unfortunately, "the prince... I bow, I will be able to conquer the grand prince, and now I am the prince, and I will succeed to the throne, that is, the emperor." How can the "four" in the word be changed to "three", plus his own name, the fourth prince scratching his ears and cheeks , Very worried. After thinking for a long time, he picked up a piece of incense and began to burn little by little on the imperial edict...

When the four princes finally finished burning the word "four" and his own name, he lowered his head and said to Ding Naishi: "You will put two braziers next to me tomorrow." After the four princes finished speaking, he did not hear Ding Naishi's answer for a long time. , He looked up and saw Ding Naibu on the side had a dumbfounded expression-the fourth prince was actually burning the imperial edict! The fourth prince smiled and asked: "Do you not understand why I am like this"

Nei Attendant Ding nodded, and the fourth prince sighed-this matter must be explained clearly to Nei Attendant Ding, so he can cooperate with him. The four princes rolled up the imperial decree and put aside, and said: "The current situation is that the three princes are the longest, and the growth is orderly. You should not establish the young and not the long. A few years ago, the brothers of the three princes proposed to store grain and also proposed to strengthen the army. All the concerns were presented one by one, and both the ruling and the opposition have seen his foresight. The Bei Rong violated the border, and the three emperors led the troops to fight against the enemy, and he was loved and respected. Now that he is new to the Bei Rong, he is bound to be welcomed by everyone. Tell me, Why didn’t the father make him the prince?

The attendant Ding replied without even thinking: "Because the emperor doesn't like him"

The four princes nodded: "The emperor did not establish the third emperor because of his selfishness. In the eyes of the court officials and people, would he respect me?"

The attendant Ding slowly shook his head, but whispered: "Yes, but that is an imperial decree. The emperor must be because of his responsibility."

The four princes twitched their lips: "My father didn't really think I was responsible, but he just threw me out to disgust Brother Three Emperors. Tomorrow, Brother Three Emperors will lead the army and I will accept the decree and become the prince. I have to step down honestly by myself and give my seat to Brother Three Emperors. Even Brother Three Emperors is righteous. If you don’t kill me, I will lose all my face. There is a result left and right, why don’t I leave a way for myself? As soon as Brother Three Emperor became the throne, he wrote a note, which is also an imperial decree!" At that time, I could wait for him to give me a marriage.

Waiter Ding looked back at the window, and whispered: "But now, the emperor is still the emperor. Your Highness is against the decree."

The fourth prince snorted: "If you don't tell others, who will know"

Waiter Ding shook his head hurriedly: "I will definitely not tell anyone!"

The fourth prince said: "I naturally believe in you, so I tell you the truth. Even if the third emperor brother does not have the glory, we are equal, I will not take this will." Ding Naiji showed a questioning look, the fourth prince and a half. He said to himself: "In this family, Brother Three Emperors has never harmed me, and he has helped me several times in the past. His staff once went to the imperial tomb and said that Brother Three Emperors would take care of me for the rest of my life. Following the father’s will, he started from behind and became his opponent. You said, I did this with a conscience but worthy of my mother and concubine’s teachings. She told me many times, no harm to others. If you do something bad, you will be punished on yourself sooner or later."

Neibu Ding nodded and said with a little choked voice: "The empress is a kind person, who is very good to people, and has never hurt anyone..."

Speaking of his mother, the fourth prince was also a little sad. He remembered the illusion that he saw in the bottom of the ship, the glorious palace. His mother said to him, if you are selfless, you can return... The fourth prince said: "Mother won't let me In response to the order, she told me...you can't keep it private."

Attendant Ding said again: "His Royal Highness, being an emperor is not for selfishness. You can also do it for the people? Being a Mingjun can benefit the world. Your Highness has such a good character..."

The four princes shook their heads: "Those who preach these words should be emperors full of selfish desires. I have read the history of so many dynasties, and I can say with certainty that no emperor is a real Ming emperor. Emperor Wu of the Han also had a time when he was old and faint. Tang Taizong’s rule of Zhenguan, the average wealth of the people was not as good as the Sui Dynasty overthrown by the Tang Dynasty, but the Sui Dynasty abused the power of the people and defeated Goryeo three times, causing many people to lose their lives. Emperor Wu of Liang, the most devout and honest Buddha, made monasteries all over the Southern Dynasty. Poor and magnificent, the monks and nuns were prosperous, which caused people's resentment. He also sheltered and condoned all the evil deeds of the clan, causing the rebellion of Hou Jing, the capital was bloodbath, he himself was hungry and angry, and died in the temple... I did not find an emperor who could lead China into long-term peace and stability. In fact, this is not surprising at all: Zi said, my life has boundaries, and knowledge is endless, learning is endless, and things are endless. How can a person know how much truth is the emperor through his life, how can he know the heavens and the world, and insight into the details? No one is perfect. When you become an emperor, you can have noble character and no time.” Thinking of his father’s temperament, the four princes sneered and said, “Well, being the emperor will turn people into a ruthless viciousness. man of."

Ding’s attendant has been in the palace for a long time. He knows that his companion is like a tiger. Not to mention that the emperor is not a good person. There are a few good people in the harem, such as Concubine Jiang Shu and Concubine Chen. The former concubine Mei will not live long. . Ding Neishi sighed: "It's not easy to be an emperor."

The four princes twitched their lips: "Also, the most important thing is to balance the parties, so that the powers of the family, the rich, the officials, the relatives, the generals, the clear stream... Threatening their power, they must live with each other to ensure the operation of the bureaucracy. As for the people in the world, their own officials manage the slavery to blackmail and oppress. The emperor’s decree came from the court and reached the end, it has long been completely unrecognizable and has become a new one. The way to make money..." Thinking of the misery he saw when he was traveling north, the four princes sighed deeply: "So, it is useless to be an emperor. This is a system problem. If you become a faint emperor, it will naturally harm you. The country harms the people. If you become an emperor who doesn’t do bad things and become a king, let this system last longer, waiting for the next faint king to subdue the country... For such a thankless position, sacrificing one’s life is really true Not worth it."

Ding Neibu asked: "sacrifice his life"

The four princes explained: "In this world, everything comes at a price. The more you get, the greater the price you pay. The more precious things you want, the more precious things you want to give up. When an emperor, You have to sacrifice your life.” Seeing that the attendant Ding was still looking at him, the fourth prince further explained: “If you have a magic weapon, you can give you gold and silver treasures, all kinds of food, and even beautiful women. You can’t hide this magic weapon. , You can only take it with you, and everyone knows that you have this magic weapon and want you this magic weapon. What's even more frightening is that you also understand that everyone is jealous of this thing. Say, how do you live?"

Neiji Ding thought for a while and said, "I have to build a very large castle to protect myself, and I have to find many people to protect me."

The four princes said: "But how can you guarantee that among the people you are looking for, no one wants to seize your magic weapon or even your family members. They may be jealous of your baby. Can you prevent it?"

Ding Naifu shook his head: "I can't help it."

The fourth prince asked again: "Do you think you can still have friends and relatives?"

Nai Attendant Ding shook his head again: "It's horrible. I don't know if the people who treat me well are for my magic weapon. Maybe I can't believe them."

The four princes agreed: "That's what it means. For this magic weapon, you have to give up freedom, affection, and friendship. You will be lonely, without relatives or friends. You will live in suspicion and fear every day, and you will never be able to live a peaceful and happy life. Days. People are different. Some people think it's worth it, and some people think it's not worth it. If you don't have to worry about food and clothing, would you still want this magic weapon?"

Nai Attendant Ding finally understood: "Don't take it anymore, who wants to suffer such a serious crime."-Fourth Prince This means that he does not want to be a prince or emperor. If the four princes are not emperors, they will be idle princes in the future, and they will definitely not live in the palace. He moved outside, and it’s convenient to see the rose by himself... Ding Naibu asked the fourth prince eagerly: "Is two braziers enough tomorrow, do I need to put four front, back, left, right?

The fourth prince smiled: "It doesn't need to be that much, just put it next to me."

Ding Naibu went to prepare.

When the 100,000 army of the three princes and the distant princes arrived outside the capital, the sun was already westward, and soldiers and soldiers were not allowed to enter the capital without purpose. They could only be stationed outside the city.

It was a sleepless night, and there was singing and dancing in the capital. People were busy putting on lights and festoons, preparing to celebrate the triumph of the victorious army the next day. The people from Yan's Academy arrived in the capital and met with the officials. The arranged residence was also arranged throughout the city at this time. Make sure that the three princes enter the city with a warm and ceremonious process that no one can stop.

When Su Chuanya arrived in the capital, she immediately went to Zhenbeihou Mansion. Seeing the funeral in the mansion, she went in and cried. When they met Su Wanniang, the two naturally wept. Su Chuanya wanted to see Shen Wen. Shen Wen was physically and mentally damaged. Su Wanniang refused to let him see him. Seeing that there were no adult men in the mansion except Shen Qiang, she forced Su Chuanya to live with Qin Quan and drove him out of Zhenbeihou. House. Su Chuanya didn't give up and came here every two or three days, but later even Su Wanniang couldn't see her. At most, she had to leave after drinking a cup of tea at the door.

It’s getting dark. When it’s time for dinner, Su Wanniang said to Shen Wen, who was lying in bed, "You'd better have some porridge. The third princes of Pingyuan Hou and the others are outside the capital. It's time to enter the city tomorrow, the people all over the city. We are all ready to welcome them." She helped Shen Wen up, set up the small table on the bed, put a bowl of porridge and a soup spoon, and told Shen Wen about the things in the capital.

Shen Wen took a sip of porridge in silence, then put it down. The prince has fallen, and the third prince must become the prince. The emperor shouldn't live long. Once the third prince is in power, he should start preparing for the evacuation of his father and brother...but she feels very tired now and can't help herself. The death of the old lady has dealt a heavy blow to her, and she has not recovered.

In the middle of the night, the emperor woke up with a pain in his abdomen and tried to say: "Water is coming..."

After a long while, no one responded, the emperor opened his eyes and saw a person standing by the bed.

The faint light at the foot of the bed illuminated the silhouette of this man. The emperor blinked vigorously, trying to see what this man looked like. He suddenly found that this man's left arm was missing. He was shocked, and he was in a cold sweat in an instant, and a thought flashed across his mind. Before he could think it through, the man opened the mouth and said: "The prince was beaten and his nose was broken, his skull was cracked, and his hands and feet were broken. It’s gone. If you pick it up again, you won’t be able to walk and hold things."

The emperor’s heart beat, and he recognized who it was. Fear and panic filled his mind. He shouted: "Ping Yuanhou...rebel...come...come..." Although he shouted vigorously, he came out. His voice was just a muffled hoarse.

Grandpa Gu said slowly: "I clicked the sleeping holes of a few people outside, and they couldn't hear them for a while."

Knowing that no one is coming, the emperor tried to calm himself down, his speech was beginning to be unclear, and he couldn't lift his hands anymore, he said vaguely: "You... if you kill me..."

Grandpa Gu snorted: "I just killed you, so why you are half dead. I just need to..." He pointed his finger to the emperor's neck and said softly: "A little harder, Your Majesty, I won't be able to wake up tomorrow. It's..." His hand touched the pulse on the emperor's neck...

The emperor really faced death for the first time in his life, with blood rushing on his head, black eyes, drooling, his tongue doubled, and in a daze, he smelled the fragrance of Chen Guifei's clothes, so strong that Father Gu also smelled it. He retracted his hand and said, "But I won't let you die in front of me. I will come to accompany you. How come I will go a step earlier in the future... Go see her first."

The emperor understood, and said with difficulty: "Chen... Chen... Concubine..."

In the darkness, Father Gu's expression was vague, and he whispered: "In the next life, she will be my wife." After speaking, his figure flashed and disappeared.

Soon, there was movement outside the house, and the emperor wanted to shout, but there was a click in his throat, and he couldn't speak.

Many angry thoughts writhed in his mind: Ping Yuan Hou took in Father Gu, he had already prepared! Grandpa Gu actually missed Concubine Chen! He is an eunuch! He is the emperor, but now he is being threatened by the eunuch! The emperor was so angry...Suddenly, he seemed to see the young concubine Chen Gui, politely saluting, smiling and lowering her head... The sunlight turned her hair into gold, and she looked up, and there seemed to be infinity in her eyes. tenderness……

The emperor suddenly felt something split in his chest, and the pain made him almost die.

At that time, Concubine Chen was only young when she was still young. How many times did he whisper together in the garden, how many times took the tea that she handed over...what happened later, the emperor was struggling to breathe in pain,-it turned out that he could not tolerate Chen Guifei's betrayal because he cared too much Up! He thought that he had always petted Concubine Chen, but in fact, Concubine Chen knew everything about him. She had been obedient to him for more than ten years, and she had been so tender to him, and completely spoiled him! He couldn't bear that she would not think what he thought and did what he did. He couldn't bear that she put the three princes in front of him, and he couldn't help but punish her! For so many years, he could not fully accept the third prince, and even let him die, he wanted her to hurt! Make her regret not standing on her side... It's just that if people really have a soul after death, and she sees what she does, if there really is a next life, she will definitely not be with herself...

The emperor’s turbid tears and saliva and nose flowed on the pillow...

Time passed, thousands of rivers and mountains, a man lying in bed dying old, was battered by memories and pain.