A major event happened in the palace today.

Concubine Xu's young sister who entered the palace to visit her met Xiao Lingshan, the 10-year-old niece of the Danyang County Lord. The two had an argument. Xiao Lingshan injured Concubine Xu's sister's forehead with a round stool, breaking her appearance.

This girl is so shameless!

Concubine Xu pulled her sister to the emperor and cried. The emperor had a headache and could only send someone to ask Danyang County Lord Xiao Yuanjin to ask. But Xiao Yuanjin just said: "We neglected the discipline of her crimes. I hope Concubine Xu will take more responsibility. In the future, no matter who Ling Mei married, I will give Ling Mei twice the dowry to express my apology."

He said without hesitation, protecting his niece firmly.

Concubine Xu was very unwilling to accept it. Can this destructive matter be solved with money?

But what can I do? Although Xiao Lingshan's identity is average, the Danyang County Lord Xiao Yuanjin is extraordinary. Her father is a famous northwest man in the border area, and her aunt is the current regent queen mother. She was raised by the empress dowager since she was a child. Her status is too expensive, and even the emperor would not offend her easily. She could only persuade Concubine Xu to turn things into small matters and make up for it.

Concubine Xu took her sister back to Changchun Palace, while Xiao Yuanjin took her niece back to Cining Palace.

The incense of Qinan was burning in the Xici room, and the long carpet of Zhangfeng was spreading on the floor. Yuan Jin leaned against the Baolan Lumao welcoming pillow and drank hot soup, but he didn't even look at Lingshan. Lingshan knelt on the ground and dared not speak, and lowered her head and cried quietly.

Yuan Jin ignored her, but put down the Tangcun and asked the palace maid: "The Empress Dowager hasn't been in court yet?"

The palace maid answered: "There is no movement in the Qianqing Palace."

Yuan Jin asked the palace maid to bring the note that the empress dowager wanted to read.

This has been the case since the county lord was twelve years old, and the palace maids were used to it. They half-kneeled on the ground, putting memorials in black lacquer trays, and waited for the county lord to pick out the important memorials for the empress dowager.

The emperor is not given by the empress dowager, and only the lord of Danyang County is the real blood relative of the empress dowager. The noble and noble person can compare. The responsibilities of selecting memorials for the empress dowager were also instructed by the empress dowager.

After Yuan Jin finished the memorial, he raised his head and asked Lingshan: "Do you know that this time is wrong?"

"What's wrong with Lingshan!" She still spoke in a crying voice, "If the girl from Zhongyi Hou family had not provoked her and said that her aunt was resigned from her, Lingshan would not have had a dispute with them. It was clearly their wrong!"

Yuan Jin's tone became cold: "Is this the reason for you to beat someone?"

When Ling Shan was scolded by Yuan Jin like this, her arrogance suddenly became much smaller.

Yuan Jin frowned slightly and continued, "I will naturally protect you in front of outsiders. But even if you have a quarrel with her, you cannot hurt others' faces just because of nothing! Today is Concubine Xu's sister. If I were a princess one day, how could I protect you?"

Yuan Jin was really angry. She was enjoying flowers with the lady of the Duke's Mansion who entered the palace. When she heard this, she was anxious and rushed over. She saw Concubine Xu's sister sitting on the ground and crying, with a big mouth cracked on her forehead.

The smash was really ruthless. If you use some force, you will be afraid that it will not be a disfigurement, but a disfigurement.

She was surprised to see it at that time. Why did Lingshan take such a ruthless move?

"She is really tricky and mean. She said that her aunt is something that others don't want, but she is not as good as a woman in a small group. I was so angry that I heard it..." Ling Shan still felt aggrieved, but her voice became much smaller.

When Yuan Jin heard Ling Shan repeating these words, he was also speechless.

It’s so strange, but it’s still her marriage.

She had a marriage contract since she was a child. When she was young, her mother took her to visit the Wei Yonghou family. She decided to be the prince of Wei Yonghou Gu Heng. She also exchanged jade pendants as a token. Although her mother passed away, this marriage has always existed.

Later, when the prince grew up, he inherited the throne of marquis. Not only did he look handsome, he also made great achievements on the battlefield with his grandfather and was promoted to the deputy governor. Seeing that he was so ambitious, the empress dowager called Gu Heng over half a month ago and prepared to marry Yuan Jin to him.

Unexpectedly, Gu Heng refused on the spot, saying that he had already had a relationship and wanted to abolish the engagement. The empress dowager was furious and almost robbed Gu Heng of his official position. Gu Heng's family was frightened and went to the palace to apologize for her and told her not to be angry. They would make Gu Heng change his mind.

As a result, rumors began to begin inside and outside the palace that she had to marry Gu Heng and used all means to force others to marry her.

Later, Yuan Jin heard that Gu Heng fell in love with a woman from a small door in Shanxi, and for the sake of her never marrying her, he would offend the powerful Northwest Hou family and the regent queen mother. The incident spread farther and farther, and even a troupe changed this matter into a play. She was naturally the vicious woman who broke up her husband.

In anger, the Empress Dowager punished Gu Heng to guard the city gates on the border. But this incident had already made her a laughing stock in the capital, and it would be useless no matter what.

"I also know that you want to protect me." Yuan Jin sighed: "But if you hurt others, others will only say that you are arrogant and domineering. If I protect you, others will only say that I am unreasonable and protecting you. Do you know that you are wrong now?"

However, Lingshan also blamed her for this matter. She has been honored since childhood, the empress dowager and her father have always loved her. People outside dare not offend her at all. Lingshan is only ten years old and is less than the age of distinguishing right from wrong, and it will inevitably have a bad influence on her.

Lingshan nodded with tears in her eyes, and Yuan Jin touched her head and asked the palace maid to take her down to rest.

Everyone in the Xiji period stepped back, and Yuan Jin's personal palace maid Zhenzhu said, "The county lord's wind and cold are not completely cured yet, and he is worried about Miss Lingshan's affairs, so he should take medicine and go to bed early."

Yuan Jin shook his head and said, "I can't sleep. I just read the memorial, and the Minister of Rites advised me to return the power to the emperor. This is the third time this month. In addition, King Jing returned to the palace today. My aunt is afraid that she is busy, so I have to watch for her."

Her aunt, the current queen mother, was named the queen at the age of 23. After the death of the late emperor, she adopted the current emperor and inherited the throne. However, the emperor was cowardly and incompetent, so the queen mother was still in charge of the government.

In ancient times, women's rule was criticized by many people, and the Empress Dowager was no exception. The Minister of Rites, Minister of Revenue and others have always advocated that the Empress Dowager will return power to the emperor. Moreover, the current emperor is not the Empress Dowager's biological son, and he has long been ready to regain the power of regent. He is not afraid of it. The real terrible thing is actually his younger brother, Prince Jing of the Northwest.

King Jing was a man of great talent and ability. His fiefdom, Xuanfu, was located in a strong military force, almost comparable to the entire Northern Zhili army. This man has been holding troops in the northwest and has only gained a reputation of elegance and gentleness. Such a powerful vassal king, who is also the emperor's younger brother, made his aunt very afraid.

Yuan Jin once arranged for Jinyiwei to be undercover next to this person, but before he could get close to him, he was secretly wiped out. King Jing recovered Guangji poor, was extremely popular, and did things behind his back without any mercy. This is the one who can accomplish great things.

He often made Yuan Jin deeply realize that there is still a big gap between intelligence and wisdom.

Seeing that she was tired, Pearl couldn't bear it.

The county lord is not only the county lord of the northwest Hou family, but also her foreign family, the hope of the Fu family in Baoding. I don’t know how many people in the family expect to become successful by relying on the county lord, and these people are not a good-looking person. Her status is noble and is unattainable to the outside world. In fact, there are many internal and external crises.

Fortunately, the county magistrate can withstand these pressures.

But no matter how smart she is, she is always just a seventeen-year-old girl.

Pearl put on a coat for her and waited. A voice of greeting came from outside, and then a tall young man walked in. He was wearing a black robe, handsome, and bright eyes shining brightly.

"Aunt." He saluted Yuan Jin, his voice slightly heavy.

When the palace maids around him saw him coming, they retreated one after another.

He was the third prince Zhu Xun. His biological mother was originally a talented man with a very low rank. He passed away shortly after he was born. Seeing that he was pitiful, Yuan Jin took him out of the side palace and followed her since she was eight years old. Later, he moved out when he grew up.

When Yuan Jin saw that it was him, he said, "It's already this time, why are you here?"

"I heard about Lingshan, so I came to see you." Zhu Xun picked up her medicine bowl, "Why didn't I finish the medicine?"

He handed the spoon to her mouth, but Yuan Jin turned his head and avoided it. Zhu Xun's smile froze, and Yuan Jin paused and said, "You have a different identity now and can't act like you used to."

"What's the difference between aunt and me?" Zhu Xun said that, but he also put down his bowl. "Although Lingshan is arrogant, she does things well. Whoever dares to disrespect you will have to make her look good! But the source of this matter is Gu Heng. You and him have been engaged for many years. He abandoned you and did not marry him. He was traitorous. Does your aunt plan to let him go?"

Although Yuan Jin doesn't care about this marriage, it doesn't mean that others can insult her like this.

"If I really did anything to him, others would just say that I would take revenge on my own." Yuan Jin said lightly, "My aunt punished him to go to Datong to be a general. Datong is the position of my uncle. At that time, someone will naturally teach him a lesson, and it has nothing to do with me."

Zhu Xun smiled: "It's better for the aunt to think carefully!" He changed the subject and said, "I heard that your marriage with Gu Heng was not successful. The Empress Dowager intended to let Fu Ting marry you... He has announced that your aunt has entered the palace to discuss."

Yuan Jin's expression became cold when he heard this.

Fu Ting is her cousin. She grew up with her since childhood. She is also a handsome talent. She just passed the Jinshi exam this year and has a bright future.

He was already about to get engaged to Xu Wan, the lady of the Minister of War. When she changed her position, she asked him to withdraw from the bride and marry her. She changed the fate of so many people to accommodate her, but she didn't like this.

"I have refused this matter, you don't need to ask anymore." Yuan Jin felt a little sleepy and closed his eyes.

Zhu Xun looked at her side face, and a hazy halo shone on her face, and there was a layer of jade-like light. After looking at it for a while, he said softly: "I just think these people are not worthy of you."

Yuan Jin said: "There is nothing worthy or not... I won't say that anymore, go and bring me a book."

Anyway, because they don’t want to marry her, she can do anything else. She can’t kill Gu Heng.

Zhu Xun smiled and handed the tea placed next to Yuan Jin. "Auntie, let's have a little tea first, I'll find it for you."

When he came over with the book, Yuan Jin had already fallen asleep against the pillow. He stood beside him and looked at her face silently. When the palace maid came in, she immediately wanted to pay her respects when she saw him there. Zhu Xun made a gesture of silence and said softly: "No need."

Then he stepped out of the palace gate and the guards were waiting for him.

He put on a crane cloak, which was different from when facing Yuan Jin. At this moment, he had no expression on his face, and even felt a little cold when he was not smiling.

"Everything is ready." The guard whispered, "His Highness Jing sent someone to come and ask you to come."

"I understand." Zhu Xun said lightly, "The county lord is too tired today. I put the calming medicine in her tea again, and I won't wake up for a while. Remember to send someone to stay outside the Cining Palace to avoid hurting the county lord."

Xiao Yuanjin is not a simple person. Everyone knows how much she did for the Empress Dowager secretly and how important it is to the Empress Dowager. If she were there, this would be very difficult. But emotionally, he could not hurt her at all, so he could only let her fall asleep temporarily.

The guards hesitated: "Since your highness cherishes the county lord, why not tell her about this? As the county lord, it will only be our help."

"Tell her? She is extremely loyal to the Queen Mother. I don't know that she can still accept it slowly. If I know, I can only wait for her and you to die." Zhu Xun's tone was cold, "The Queen Mother is extremely wary of me and doesn't mention the matter of raising the bank. If not, I'm afraid I will never have the chance to enter the Eastern Palace in my life."

I can only be sorry for my aunt.

***

After Zhu Xun left, Yuan Jin slept for a long time before he woke up.

When she woke up, the candles in the room were jumping, and the surroundings were particularly quiet.

Yuan Jin rubbed his eyebrows, but didn't realize that he had been sleeping for so long.

Another curtain was lifted, and Pearl and the eunuch Liu Zhi, who served the empress dowager, came in.

Pearl stood up when he served Yuan Jin, while Liu Zhize half-hunched and bowed, saying, "My lord, you are awake."

Yuan Jin asked, "Lingshan is already asleep, right?"

"It's already asleep." Pearl said.

Yuan Jin washed his face and then he woke up completely. He looked around: "Auntie is back? Why is this palace quiet?"

Liu Zhi whispered, "The Empress Dowager is still discussing political affairs with the emperor in the Qianqing Palace... But news came just now that after King Jing entered the Meridian Gate, he took his people straight to the Qianqing Palace. I felt something was strange."

Yuan Jin's face became solemn. How could the Empress Dowager discuss this time with the emperor, and how could she let King Jing break in?

This must be strange!

"You should pay attention to the Qianqing Palace at any time. If you have any abnormal movements, come and tell me. Also, go find the deputy commander of the Jinyiwei. I have something to tell him." Yuan Jin gave Liu Zhi coldly. She was unhappy. Even if the Empress Dowager came back late, she would send someone to send her a letter, but no one came back today.

How could she have slept for so long?

Yuan Jin looked solemn and sat on the Grand Master's chair and waited.
To be continued...