The Gilded Cage

In the Buddhist hall on the west side of the Baifu Hall, a bunch of incense sticks are inserted into the furnace and burned quietly, pulling strands of cigarettes around the room.

The Queen Mother Qi was dressed in plain clothes, her eyes closed, and she knelt on the futon without moving, with one hand on her chest, and the other slowly touching a string of agate rosary, reciting the scripture silently in her mouth.

She has experienced two emperors and is now over sixties. At first glance, she was a well-maintained and kind-looking old woman. Only a few vertical lines on her eyebrows and a slightly drooping mouth showed the majesty of being in a high position all the time.

Qi Mu waited for a long while with an ugly face, and was already impatient in his heart, but he didn't dare to speak rashly and disturb the Queen Mother's chanting, so he had to retreat to the main hall and drink tea one cup after another.

After three cups of tea, the maid helped the Queen Mother Qi out of the Buddhist hall and returned to the main hall.

"His Royal Highness!" Qi Mu hurriedly got up, greeted him, and wanted to tell what had happened just outside the Tai Chi Hall.

"Okay, I've heard everything panic." The Queen Mother gave him a cold glance, took a sip of the tea from the maid, and then put it down and didn't move.

Just now there was such a big movement, someone had already come over and told her everything, it was difficult to know it or not.

"His Majesty, tell me, there is no reason to let people see blood directly in the funeral? Where is he from, dare to be like this?" Although Qi Mu's tone was full of dissatisfaction and reproach, his heart was I was shocked and frightened by Xiao Kezhi's arrogant and disregarding manners.

"I told you earlier that I would rather help the prince go up first than pick someone who is completely unfamiliar. You have to listen to others." Speaking of the recent incident, the Queen Mother Qi could not help but sneered coldly.

Xiao Lian was seriously ill, and she and Qi Mu discussed the successor.

She advocated helping the prince Xiao Yu first. As soon as he knows the bottom line, even if he is temporarily in power, he must be afraid of the Qi family. Secondly, Xiao Yu has no children so far. When the time comes, he will be forced to adopt a clan. From now on, whether he is the emperor will stay or discard it, or it will be up to her. However, Qi Mu listened to the suggestion of one of his staff members and insisted on letting King Qin enter the capital in order to avoid future troubles.

"It's because the officials are unclear and short-sighted." He regretted it when he mentioned it. It was not until yesterday that he found out that the staff had already been bought out privately by Xiao Kezhi's people. He had already premeditated to make such a proposal at that time.

"Never mind, don't talk about these useless. In the city of Rokuro, even if you and I chose the prince, he always has other ways to come to Chang'an." The Queen Mother Qi sighed, feeling a little regrettable, "Yes. I underestimated him. With today’s appearance, his throne is considered stable. As for how to deal with the prince, let him, don’t interfere. After so many years of suffering, it is easy to return to Chang'an, so he must be more comfortable. ."

Qi Mu knew that he was wrong, and he dared not make any claims. He only respected him.

…

That night, after Xiao Yu returned to Wanchun Palace, he ordered Zhao Yanzhou to draw up a letter in his name, persuading the courtiers who spoke for him today to support the King of Qin, but between the words, he must name his name and proceed from the overall situation, and he did not want to cause disputes between the DPRK and China. The reason for this is to show the overall situation and helplessness of his prince.

In this way, he can not only protect himself, but also temporarily soothe the courtiers who follow him, so as not to lose heart.

Later, he personally wrote a memorandum, saying that although he is a prince, he has no talents and virtues, and it is difficult to be a great responsibility. And Wang Shu can be brave and brave, with the style of the ancestor, is the most suitable candidate.

It was late in the middle of the night when several melodies were sent to the Shenlong Palace.

…

Early in the morning of the second day, the ceremonies of the new emperor ascended to the throne were finally held on the east side of the Taiji Hall as scheduled.

This time, Baiguan and his clan members did not disagree at all, and the whole ceremony was completed smoothly under the leadership of the ceremonial official.

Immediately afterwards, everyone rushed back to the west side of the Taiji Hall to continue the funeral ceremony of the emperor.

It wasn't until Xiao Lian's body was enshrined in a coffin and everyone put on different mourning attire according to their relatives, that the whole day's ceremony was completely over.

When all the dust settled, the string that Xiao Yu had always tense loosened slightly, and his weak body finally couldn't hold on. Once back to the Wanchun Palace, the whole person fainted.

Chu Ning was already very tired, and when he saw this, he had to order someone to help him into the inner room. While he ordered someone to ask for an imperial doctor's order, he personally removed his outer robe for him and made him lie down on the bed.

While waiting for the imperial doctor's order, she summoned Zhao Yanzhou to the gate of the main hall, and whispered to Xiao Yu's response last night, and learned that he personally ordered someone to send her and his courtiers' persuasion memorial to the Shenlong Palace. In one breath, he returned to the hall and waited.

Although she hated Xiao Yu, she never hoped that he would die because of being involved in the fight for the throne and losing to King Qin. After all, she was the crown prince and the daughter of a criminal minister. She had no strong natal family backing, and she was all on Xiao Yu's body.

After a while, the maid reported outside the hall: "His Royal Highness, the Supreme Doctor's Order is here."

Chu Ning heard that he wanted Cuihe to greet her, but heard the maid outside hesitate for a moment, and continued: "The saint-the saint is also here."

She was stunned for a moment, and then realized that the "sage" now refers to the new monarch Xiao Kezhi who has just ascended the throne.

At this time, he came to Wanchun Hall, why on earth?

Chu Ning's heart tightened slightly, looking at the figure who was striding closer through the open door, she didn't dare to hesitate, so she took a deep breath, got up and stepped out of the hall door, personally greeted him, and bowed in front of him.

"I don't know if your majesty is here, my niece-in-law has never been far away. His Majesty has been exhausted for days and he is in a coma and is unable to come out. I hope your majesty will forgive me.

She drooped her cheeks, and under the high-groomed bun, she just exposed a section of the snow-white back of her neck, and a layer of soft light appeared under the bright sunset.

Xiao Kezhi stopped two steps in front of her, and his sharp eyes flashed slightly when he traversed that section of the neck.

"Get up."

He took another step closer, slowly leaned down, held her elbow and lifted her up.

There is no emotional wave in the deep and rough voice, and Chu Ning can't guess what he is thinking at all. Only the thick and hot palm on the arm through the clothing reminds her of the Houyuan pavilion. In that scene.

She couldn't help being startled, she boldly raised her eyes to look at his eyes, and the arm that he held firmly in the palm also tried to make a light effort.

This time, he didn't hold on to it anymore, just let go of the situation, looked away, and said: "I heard that the prince is ill, so I came to see him specially."

After all, without waiting for her to respond, he walked straight in front of her and headed towards the main hall.

In the inner room, the imperial physician Ling took the pulse of Xiao Yu who was in a coma, and asked a maid who was guarding him about the situation. Xiao Kezhi didn't go in either. He just sat on the couch outside and waited quietly, with no expression on his stern face.

The other maids who had stayed in the temple were all sent out by him with a wave of his hand. The two body guards standing at the door like a majestic statue made them afraid to approach and could only wait far away.

Chu Ning glanced at Xiao Yu who was lying on the bed not far away, and after confirming that he was still in a coma, he reached for the teapot on the case and poured a cup of hot tea for Xiao Kezhi himself.

"Your Majesty, please use tea."

She held the tea cup in both hands and brought it to him, while quietly raising her eyes to observe his reaction.

When he reached out to take the teacup, her fingertips moved lightly, not knowing whether it was intentional or unintentional, and she just happened to rub his tiger's mouth gently.

A brief touch did not make him react at all. He always looked down at the steaming teacup, his face grim.

Chu Ning watched him carefully, and was a little disappointed when he saw this, and he wanted to withdraw his tentative hand.

However, before his fingertips left the wall of the cup, he suddenly grabbed one of her wrists and pulled her closer with a slight force.

She couldn't help leaning forward with her upper body, and stopped just a few inches in front of him, and met his gaze.

The tea cup containing the hot tea happened to lie between the two, and strands of moist mist evaporated, quietly soaking her white face and bright red lips.

Xiao Kezhi's gaze fell on her softer lips, her complexion unchanged, only her Adam's apple rolled slightly.

The deep gaze made Chu Ning tremble all over, and her cheeks slowly dyed a layer of crimson.

"When serving tea, concentrate more. I haven't received it yet, so you will pull your hand. What if it breaks?"

He slowly moved the teacup away from the two of them, but still did not let go of the palm on her wrist.

Chu Ning bit her lower lip, her eyes that were red and swollen from the day's crying offerings became more and more delicate and moving.

"It's the niece's fault, please forgive me."

Xiao Kezhi glanced at her, did not speak any more, only slowly let go of her hand, and took a sip while holding the teacup.

Chu Ning stood up straight, and then retreated to the side, hearing the sound of footsteps coming from the inner room, from far to near.

She hurriedly took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, turned around, and saw the imperial doctor's order coming out of the inner room.

"How about the prince?" Xiao Kezhi put down his teacup and asked casually.

"His Royal Highness is not a serious problem. It is because of overwork and frustration recently that he fainted. After waking up, he can be healthy and cultivated."

"Tilting" is inherently reasonable, but the word "slumping" is intriguing.

After the imperial physician's order, he offered the prescription that had just been drawn up.

Xiao Kezhi sat still, and Chu Ning reached out to take it, and ordered someone to reward the silver after thanking him.

"Fine, since it's all right, I will go back."

He said, got up from the couch and walked out.

Chu Ning followed behind and bowed to salute, still wondering why he had come, and saw that he suddenly stopped and came back to his senses, with a smile of unknown meaning on his always cold face.

"When the prince wakes up, remember to tell him that I have already visited him. I want him to recover from his illness. Don't worry too much. The crown prince is the foundation of the country. I am not yet married and have no children under my knees. From now on, he will still be the seat of the Eastern Palace. of."

Chu Ning was shocked and couldn't help but look up, but saw that he had turned and stepped out of the main hall, leaving only a tall and broad back in the setting sun.