When the "adultery" broke out and entered Xia, the imperial court and Beiqi finally signed a peace treaty, reopening the border for trade between the two countries. Beiqi came to pay tribute every year, and Dayu would reward him with annual gifts.

The so-called tribute is just a cover. It is freezing in Beiqi and there is nothing good. However, Dayu gives a lot of annual gifts every year, but compared with raising troops to fight and destroying lives, using money and silk to exchange for peace is cheaper.

Now that Beiqi's vitality is severely damaged, it will be difficult for him to raise his troops to go south for at least ten years.

As spring passed and autumn came, the government gradually stabilized. Jiang Weiren took advantage of the Beiqi breach to replace the border guards. He also carried out major reforms in the Ministry of War and promoted many young and promising generals from poor families.

If it hadn't been for this battle with Beiqi, soon after the new emperor ascended the throne, the chief minister would have shown such great strength in military affairs, which would have inevitably brought criticism from the officials, and there would have been various resistances in the DPRK. But now, who would dare Question Jiang Weiren's actions?

What's more, the cabinet's decisions were all reported to the two empress dowagers in the Wende Hall. It was Jiang Weiren who proposed Cao Yu's promotion to admiral, and the rest of the Cao family's children also served in the army. Because of this, Empress Dowager Cao naturally supported the reforms implemented by Jiang Weiren in the military.

As for Yan Qing, she didn't want to really get involved in government affairs, especially when it came to military affairs. How could she stand up and refute.

In autumn, the capital became lively, and preparations for various celebrations began one by one. The new emperor ascended the throne. In the first half of the year, another big victory was won, which brought peace in the future. Both the palace and the people wanted to Have a good celebration.

The new emperor is still young, and things that were usually presided over by the empress can now only be taken care of by the two empress dowagers. However, the harem is deserted now, especially empress dowager Cao who likes to be lively and attends all major events.

Xue Shiying was not only the adopted daughter of Empress Dowager Cao in name, but also very fond of her. She often walked around the palace, and she naturally did not forget to visit Renshou Palace frequently.

Yan Qing found that the happiest person was Zhao Yuan. Cao Dingzhen watched Xue Shiying and Zhao Yuan getting closer and sometimes sighed to Yan Qing: "We, A Yuan, have been really lonely since we were young. When we grow up, the people closest to us are... Just Zhang Daban."

Even so, she refused to relax in her son's discipline. After Zhao Yuan ascended the throne, there was a Sutra banquet every morning after the morning court. The lecturers from the Hanlin Academy came to teach His Majesty the Emperor, and it was also presided over by the Chief Assistant.

It's just that Cao Ding is really no better than Yan Qing. Whenever the emperor behaves slightly inappropriately at the banquet, or does not answer the homework assigned by Mr. Jiang well, once the news reaches her ears, she will definitely order someone to call her Majesty to Fu. Ning Gong asked carefully, never being soft-hearted.

Zhao Yuan could only secretly complain to Yan Qing and ask her to intercede on his behalf, but with Empress Dowager Cao, unless Mr. Jiang spoke in person, it would be useless for anyone to intercede on behalf of the emperor.

But Mr. Jiang had strict requirements on him. From the time he joined the cabinet to give lectures, Zhao Yuan respected and feared him.

It was not until later that he finally found a good way. Since his mother only listened to Mr. Jiang's advice, he moved out Queen Mother Shengyi from Mr. Jiang's place.

When he first entered the cabinet to give lectures, everyone in the Hanlin Academy knew that Yan Qing ran out from behind the bead curtain. Mr. Jiang naturally also knew about Yan Qing's protection for him. If he moved out of Yan Qing, Mr. Jiang would cover him up with his mother. one time.

The title of Queen Mother Shengyi works better than anything else for Mr. Jiang. Although it goes in a big circle, this method is still effective.

In the blink of an eye, it was the second year of Jiayou's reign. Yan Qing had been infected with wind and cold since early spring. The Taiyuan Hospital prescribed a prescription, which could treat the symptoms but not the root cause, and the cure was always incomplete.

In the summer, the weather gradually became hotter, and her symptoms improved slightly.

During that half-year, most of the time, Empress Dowager Cao was the only one who listened to the cabinet discussions in Wende Hall.

It doesn't make any difference whether Yan Qing is there or not. Anyway, she doesn't like to be a director.

Cao Dingzhen was different. In the past, when the late emperor was there, the harem was not allowed to discuss matters in the court. Naturally, she did not understand the affairs of the court. Therefore, when she first listened to the cabinet discussions in the Wende Hall, she felt that none of the cabinet ministers said anything. rational.

But she is also an extremely smart woman. As time goes by, she gradually clears up the clues, not to mention Jiang Weiren is here.

Jiang Weiren would carefully analyze the considerations of all parties behind the decrees issued by the imperial court, what were the advantages and disadvantages, what kind of resistance would be encountered, and what kind of results would be achieved.

The more you listen, the more you will understand gradually.

Even she herself once said with a smile: "Mr. Jiang is not only your majesty's teacher, but also the teacher of the Ai family."

Empress Dowager Cao's trust and respect for Mr. Jiang were seen by the whole palace, and Yan Qing naturally knew that Jiang Weiren was It was the late emperor's minister Tuogu who later turned the tide and drove out Beiqi. Now that all state affairs depend on him, it is natural for Cao Dingzhen to rely on him.

As the heat of summer gradually dissipates, autumn soon comes. There are many festivals in autumn, first the Qiao Qiao Festival, then the Bon Festival, and then the Mid-Autumn Festival in August.

The Mid-Autumn Festival has always been a grand event in the palace, but the specifics vary from year to year. Sometimes officials will be entertained with banquets, and sometimes Aoshan fireworks will be set up.

This year, according to the wishes of Empress Dowager Cao, a banquet was held to admire the moon at the Chongbi Terrace in Xiyuan. All the nobles and clan members of the court came to the banquet.

In fact, this day was not only lively in the palace, but also everywhere in the imperial capital. Rich families were in their pavilions, while ordinary people mostly went to restaurants, pagodas and other high places to chant poems and watch the moon. There were also people in the streets. For tourists enjoying the night, even the Goulan tiles will be lively all night long.

Chongbi Terrace has just been renovated. It is located at the highest point of Xiyuan, and the attic is grand and towering. It is naturally the best place to enjoy the moon.

Yan Qing arrived a little late, and when she sat down, the banquet began. In the center of the hall, the dancers from the Jiaofang Division danced gracefully, and the sound of the sheng and yu played by the musicians could be heard. Everyone was enjoying the feast and enjoying themselves. .

Yan Qing also drank some fruit wine. She had a limited capacity for drinking, so she only tasted it briefly every time. Even so, her cheeks were a little warm.

"Is my sister drunk?" Queen Mother Cao couldn't help but ask when she saw her blushing.

Yan Qing shook his head and said softly: "I'm not drunk, I just feel a little stuffy in the hall."

At this time, Jiaofangsi's performance also ended, and the clan members below all looked slightly tipsy while talking and laughing.

When Yan Qing turned around, his eyes met with Jiang Weiren's who was sitting next to him.

He was sitting quietly behind the desk, his back as straight as a cypress.

Not far behind him was a large carved window, and the moonlight poured straight in from the window. In front of him was the brilliant lights in the palace, but behind him was the cold moonlight, and the cold silver glow was flowing out. Behind him on the carpet, just staining the corners of his clothes.

At this moment, the expression on his face was as cold as the moonlight, which seemed incompatible with the singing and dancing in the palace. His eyes were as calm and deep as usual, making people dare not look at him.

Yan Qing didn't know what was wrong with him, so he hurriedly looked away and looked away as if nothing happened, to cover up the panic in his heart just now.

"My sister has not recovered well since she contracted the illness in the first half of the year. It's because I didn't think well," Cao Dingzhen said beside her, and then told Fuying behind her, "Send your mother-in-law back to the palace quickly, so that She should rest earlier."

The banquet had come to an end, and Yan Qing didn't like the excitement, so he left.

As soon as Yan Qing left, the banquet in the Chongbi Terrace also broke up. When Jiang Weiren stepped out of the hall, he was stopped by a small yellow door.

"Master Yuan Fu," the little Huangmen leaned forward and whispered, "Sir, Empress Dowager Ciyi Xuan has come to tell you something important."

He frowned slightly, but the Queen Mother called him and she couldn't help but go. She didn't know what it was about, so she couldn't wait until the next day.

The little yellow gate led him out of the Chongbi Terrace and said to him respectfully: "Please follow me, sir, not far ahead.

Yan Qing originally planned to return to the palace, but when he came down from the tower, I noticed that the moonlight was shining brightly outside, illuminating the ground as brightly as mercury leaking from the ground. I looked up and saw that the moon was hanging in the sky at its fullest moment, like a bright jade plate

that I hadn't seen for a long time . The moonlight was so beautiful, and the night breeze was cool. The wild goose pond in the distance was floating with fine silver waves in the moonlight, which was really beautiful.

"Fuying," she thought, and called Fuying over. Please accompany me for a walk by the wild goose pond. "

Fuying was originally afraid that she would catch a cold in the night wind. It was obvious that she was rarely in such a good mood, so it was hard to persuade her.

Yan Qingtu was pure, so no one else was allowed to follow. This was in the forbidden palace, and there were guards on duty. Those The palace guards had no choice but to wait at Chongbi Terrace.

Yanchi was the largest lake in the Forbidden City. When Xiyuan was originally built, it was made of water brought from outside the city. There were pavilions on the islands in the middle of the lake. There were various flowers and trees planted by the lake, all of which were brought from various places. However, most of them had withered in autumn.

She walked slowly, and after walking for a while, she saw a water pavilion in front of her, with a pavilion on one side. Xiyuan is the most extensive of the royal gardens, with countless pavilions and pavilions. Yan Qing only vaguely remembers that this place should be called Suiyuxuan, which is quiet and sequestered. It is a place for enjoying lotuses by the wild goose pond in summer. The best place.

Although there are no lights in the waterside pavilion, the ground is covered with moonlight. The water is like a huge mirror at this moment. There are a few withered lotus leaves scattered on the water in the distance. Yan Qing walks into the waterside pavilion. He sat down.

"Looking at the moon here is much cleaner than at Chongbi Terrace, don't you think? "She turned around and asked Fuying behind her.

Fuying was not so elegant. She looked at Yan Qing's slightly thin clothes and became a little worried. The night wind became cooler after autumn, and it blew for a long time. She Afraid that Yan Qing's well-rested body would be infected with the cold again, he persuaded her to go back,

"It's still early..." Yan Qing didn't want to get up, but seeing Fu Ying's worried look, he said, "This way. Well, you go back and get my cloak, so you don't have to worry about me getting cold. "How can it be done? "

Fuying said. "How can I leave your concubine here alone?" "

There are imperial guards on duty in this palace. What are you afraid of?" Yan Qing thought for a while and then said, "Then you go back to Chongbi Terrace and pass the carriage to the outside of Suiyu Pavilion. I will take the carriage back directly later." Renshou Palace. "

When Fuying saw her order, she had to turn back to Chongbi Terrace.

Yan Qing walked alone outside the waterside pavilion and leaned on the white marble railing. The water, light and moonlight reflected each other in the distance. How could she have paid attention to these scenery before? , it feels like half of her life has passed in the blink of an eye, and this is her fifth year in the palace.

The night wind blows slowly, shattering the silver light on the water. The moon is so bright, I don’t know when it first shines. People. She

felt a little cold after standing there for a long time, especially since she had been drinking on the Chongbi platform. She didn't notice it at first, but now that the smell of alcohol had dissipated, her body was blown away by the wind.

After a while, she still didn't come back. She thought about what she had just ordered. Maybe the girl thought she was waiting in front of Suiyuxuan

, so she got up and walked out of the waterside pavilion . Not far ahead, there is an archway surrounded by rocks hidden by vegetation, but after walking around for a few times, I am a little confused.

This Xiyuan is built after the gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, and the rocks in the garden are all from the garden. Various rockeries were built from Taihu Lake, with twists and turns and winding paths. It would be easy to get lost in them if you were not careful.

If she got lost in the middle of the night and alerted the palace people, it would be really bad. What a joke.

She looked up at the pavilion behind the rocks and trees. She could see candlelight in the distance. She looked at it and walked towards the main courtyard of the Yanchi

. Most of the pavilions are used for enjoying the scenery. Today, the only masters in the palace are Emperor Zhao Yuan, the two queen mothers, and at most a few concubines. They don't often come to Xiyuan, so these pavilions are all idle. On weekdays, Supervisor Zhidian was responsible for sweeping the corridors.

Now that the lamp was lit, it must be Superintendent Zhidian who was on duty. She thought about following the light to the main courtyard, where the inner supervisor was. The prison officer was able to lead her out.

She followed the path surrounded by rockeries and finally entered the main courtyard, and then passed through the corridor entangled with branches and vines. It was quiet all around, and the flower shelves in the yard were also entangled with vines. The moonlight was also obscured, and there was something strange about it.

Yan Qing walked forward faster, and when she was about to reach the front of the main room, she suddenly heard a sound like a man's voice inside.

She thought it must be Zhidian . She was a prisoner, but her voice was not as high-pitched as an ordinary eunuch's. Instead, it seemed a bit low and hoarse, and also had an inexplicable familiarity.

Just as she walked under the window, she heard a woman coming from inside. A soft voice.

"Don't worry, those people told me to stay far away and can't hear anything..."

The voice was lowered and sounded a little blurry, but it was more lingering and gentle. Yan Qing was surprised. She suddenly understood what was happening in this room.

This deep palace was like a prison. People who came in were wasting their lives and wasting away their years. Even the palace maids and eunuchs below would feel lonely. She also knew that she could not bear it. The lonely palace maid and the eunuch formed a couple in private.

This was called "eating each other" in the palace, and it was quite taboo.

This Suiyu Pavilion was in the Xiyuan, so it was remote and quiet, so it was naturally a good place for them to meet. Where could she be? He expected that he would encounter such a thing today.

Although this was strictly prohibited by the palace regulations, Yan Qing did not want to care about it. He just wanted to avoid it and turned around quickly, but he accidentally tripped on the stone steps behind him. One of the row of small flowerpots rolled down the steps, and the windlass turned a few times, which also alarmed the people in the house at this time.

"Who?" came the voice of a woman in the house.

Yan Qing thought that since there was no way to avoid it, she, the queen mother, would not be so scared to run away because of a prison maid, so she grimaced and pushed open the closed door without hesitation.

The door was not locked tightly, and Yan Qing pushed it open. The lights inside were dim, but she still had to see clearly the people inside.

This sight completely stunned her.