Chapter 264 Entering the Palace

Chapter 264 Entering the Palace

Chapter 264 Entering the Palace
The prisoners were sent to Guangchengze at the end of September and were organized into the First Battalion of the Bingzhou Tuntian Army.

There was a severe drought in spring and summer, and it was impossible to farm in Guangchengze, so the soldiers were gathered together to dredge the ditches and expand the ponds.

Two or three small lakes to the northeast of Caiguanbi were connected to form a large reservoir that can irrigate more than 3,000 hectares of farmland. It suddenly surpassed Shaogongbi and became the largest lake in Guangchengze.

The fields beside the lake have been cleared, about 1,200 hectares, and have just been planted. They will later be handed over to the Bingzhou captives to take care of.

"The Duke of Luyang has won another victory..." More than ten people were strolling on the long embankment by the lake.

Walking in front were two women.

The person on the left is petite with a big belly. She reaches out and touches from time to time, with endless tenderness between her brows.

It can be seen that this is probably her first child, and she loves him very much. Even before he is born, she has already poured endless maternal love into him.

The other person was a little older, with an elegant and noble demeanor, as well as the intimidating presence common to those in a higher position. She was obviously used to giving orders and would not allow anyone to go against her will.

The look she gave the pregnant woman was very complicated, one part pity, two parts disapproval, and seven parts envy.

When I get older, I may still be able to take the risk of giving birth, but...

In short, it will be impossible for me to have children of my own in this lifetime.

"Princess, have you met Shao Lang?" the pregnant woman asked softly.

"I have seen him once or twice." The speaker was Princess Sima Xiuyi of Xiangcheng. She only said, "The Duke of Luyang has been to the Wang family's villa and saw him from afar."

Not only had he seen her before, he also discovered that he was always sneaking glances at Song Yi, which led to what happened later.

"how?"

Sima Xiuyi smiled but did not answer. How could anyone be worse than Wang Dun?
"Xunniang, how did you get to follow the Duke of Luyang County?" Sima Xiuwei asked curiously.

This large circle on the northern edge of Guangcheng Lake is like a "high-end residential area".

The Grand Marshal, princesses, princes, uncles of the king, ministers, etc., all found land to build houses here. Some even built a manor, hired servants and generals, managed a large group of farmhands, and reclaimed wasteland and cultivated the land.

Princess Xiangcheng's villa was the largest among them, covering more than 300 hectares of land.

When expanding the pond, she ordered Cheng Yuantan to bring his family soldiers and farmhands to participate in the work and contribute a lot of effort, on the condition that they could use water to irrigate their own fields after completion.

"The troubled times have come. As a woman, I am nothing but a piece of fish on the chopping board if I don't have a man to protect me from the wind and rain." Lu Xun said naturally: "In times of chaos and disorder, I will either be betrayed by my family generals or abducted by outsiders. Or I will die quietly, and there may not be anyone to seek justice for me. In this case, it is better to find a man to rely on."

Sima Xiuwei didn't know what to say for a moment.

She recalled the time when she accompanied Wang Dun to Qingzhou to take up his post.

After Wang Dun escaped, if she had not acted decisively and agreed to marry her maid to the guard and divide the property equally, God knows what would have happened.

maybe……

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt a sense of panic in my heart.

Things that have always been taken for granted may no longer be taken for granted when troubled times come?
Her eyes inadvertently fell on Lu Xun's bulging belly.

The husband ran away. If his son had been with him at the time, the situation would not have been so dangerous.

Lu Xun has a man to rely on, and will have children in the future, so she doesn't have to worry about anything in her life.

"I received a letter from my husband yesterday. He agreed." Lu Xun said suddenly.

"Huh? What do you agree to?" Sima Xiuwei was a little surprised to hear such nonsensical words.

"My dear, you said that Princess Chi has made great contributions." Lu Xun looked at Sima Xiuyi with a complicated look in his eyes: "He recalled the old time when he saw the princess in the other courtyard. At that time, he didn't know that she was a princess, but he felt that the princess was dignified and solemn, and her beauty was unparalleled, which made people feel ashamed of themselves. It seemed that she was inspired by the spiritual source, and her beauty was beyond description, so he didn't dare to look at her for too long."

Sima Xiuwei was a little surprised and even a little embarrassed.

She seemed to have just had an argument with Wang Dun and was sitting by the pond sulking.

When Shao Xun passed by, she turned her head to take a look and then continued looking at the pond.

Did he also think I was too serious or even harsh? But he was definitely angry at the time...

"My dear, you said this pond can be called 'Princess Pond'." Mrs. Lu lowered her head, gently stroked her belly, and said in a muffled voice: "The princess may send her family soldiers to help manage the newly arrived captives. My dear, you can't spare the troops. In exchange, the fields in the princess's villa can be cultivated by the garrison soldiers, and the princess doesn't need to send any manpower."

Sima Xiuyi didn't pay any attention to the following sentence. When he heard the three words "Gongzhubi", his mind was in turmoil.

Lu Xun glanced at Sima Xiuwei secretly and sighed in his heart: Why does my husband try to please these women one after another?
"Duke Luyang is still in Yiyang, right?" Sima Xiuwei came back to his senses and asked casually.

After many autumn rains, the water in the pond has gradually risen.

Her eyes fell on the rippling blue lake, and she felt much more at home.

For the first time, she felt how beautiful the pond was and how wonderful the scenery was.

It is still late autumn now. If we wait until the turn of spring and summer, Gongzhubi will definitely become a famous scenic spot in Guangchengze.

"Yes. The Huns are moving south, and my lord can't leave." Lu sighed and said.

Sima Xiuyi was stunned for a moment and said, "There is a rumor in Luojing that the Xiongnu will not come this year. Is it false?"

"I believe in you, my dear." Madam Lu said seriously, "He is fighting, but those people in Luoyang are not fighting."

Sima Xiuwei was speechless.

"Will Luoyang be broken?" she asked.

Lu shook her head.

Sima Xiuwei's mood became even more complicated.

If Luoyang City fell, would the Xiongnu take advantage of the situation and attack Guangchengze? No one dared to guarantee it.

She felt that it was time to return to Luoyang and visit the emperor and empress in the palace.

The high-ranking officials in the court and the prime minister's staff all seem unreliable. Wouldn't it be unfair if they were caught off guard and killed by the Huns?

******
On the second day of October, Luoyang was peaceful and even a little joyful.

When Sima Xiuwei entered the city, he was quite surprised and a little uncomfortable.

Yes, Guangchengze is indeed beautiful with clear water and green mountains and pleasant scenery, but it is too desolate and there is nothing.

It may be fresh at first, but after a while, it becomes boring. Of course, she has gradually gotten used to this boredom, maybe she is really old...

After entering the palace, the emperor met Sima Xiuwei in Zhaoyang Palace.

As soon as the two met, they felt a little sad.

"Sister hasn't been to the palace for a long time." said Emperor Sima Chi.

Sima Xiuyi stared at the emperor's slightly haggard face, his eyes reddened, and he sighed: "Your Majesty also knows about the affairs of my sister's family, but it is really impossible to tell outsiders. Now that I live in Guangcheng Villa, my mind has become much lazier."

The emperor sighed.

The brother and sister both ended up in such an unhappy situation. What could they do?

After a long while, Sima Chi was the first to break the silence: "Sister said that the Xiongnu wanted to invade Luoyang, where did you hear that?"

Sima Xiuyi hesitated for a moment and said, "I learned it from the family of the Duke of Luyang County."

"Oh?" Sima Chi was a little surprised.

How did Sister get involved with Shao Xun? Could it be...

But it felt impossible.

Although his sister had a bad temper and was even a little willful and capricious when she was young, she had never been seen to be polite to any man other than her husband.

She should have simply been on good terms with Shao Xun's wives and concubines and heard some news.

"Will Liu Xuanming come?" Sima Chi said this with a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

When Liu Cong was studying in Luoyang, Le Guang and Zhang Hua both thought highly of him, so he became famous in the capital.

Later, Wang Ji from Taiyuan brought him to visit.

At that time, he was still the Prince of Yuzhang, and he asked the two to compose Yuefu songs.

Liu Cong's "Ode to Great Virtue" is actually quite good and shows considerable skill.

Before leaving, he also gave Liu Cong a bow and a silver inkstone.

Overall, he had a very good impression of Liu Cong. But Liu Xuanming actually had to lead the army to attack Luoyang as a vanguard, which was really a trick of fate.

"Among Liu Yuanhai's sons, only the fourth son Liu Cong is good at leading troops. He must come." Sima Xiuyi said.

"Why are you so sure, sister?" Sima Chi looked into his sister's eyes and asked.

"Your Majesty, please do not doubt what Luyang County Duke's concubine, Ms. Lu, said. It is absolutely true." Sima Xiuwei said anxiously.

For such a major event, isn't it better to believe it than not to believe it? Why does the emperor seem so indifferent?

"Sister, between you and the Duke of Luyang County..." Sima Chi hesitated for a moment, unable to ask.

Sima Xiuyi shook his head and said sternly, "Your Majesty is a great gentleman, why are you talking like a woman?"

Sima Chi smiled awkwardly.

The only one who dared to rebuke the emperor in person was this sister. Judging from her calm look, it should have nothing to do with Shao Xun.

fair enough.

At least she knew Shao Xun's family, so it was always good to have a channel to pass on messages.

"Don't be angry, sister." Sima Chi said hurriedly: "I have also heard about what you just said. But in this situation, the military and political affairs are all controlled by Donghai, and I am really powerless."

"Your Majesty, can't you issue an order?" Sima Xiuyi said in surprise: "The King of Donghai also doesn't want Luoyang to suffer. At this time, perhaps we can work together."

There was nothing wrong with what Princess Xiangcheng said, but Sima Chi didn't like it.

He hesitated for a while, then suddenly asked, "If I write an edict, Sister, could you take it out for me?"

Sima Xiuyi shuddered subconsciously.

Words like secret decree and secret decree suddenly flooded into her mind. She didn't want to get involved in this matter and shook her head firmly.

"Then it's ok for you to bring a message, right?" Sima Chi's words were a little humble.

Sima Xiuwei said nothing.

"Sister, can you help pass on the message once?" Sima Chi saw that she did not say goodbye and left, knowing that there was a chance, thinking that after all, she was my sister, and she was much more reliable than outsiders, so he said: "I was misled by the treacherous people before, and I had many prejudices against the Duke of Luyang County, but now I understand."

Sima Xiuyi waited for a long time but saw no further response. He asked in confusion, "Is that all?"

"That's all." Sima Chi smiled and said, "Sister, just pass on the message. Shao Qing will understand."

Sima Xiuyi nodded slightly, and then asked: "The matter of the Xiongnu invasion..."

"Sister, you don't know." Sima Chi explained, "A few days ago, Pei Zhongyu from Hedong came to the court and reported this matter. The Grand Commandant, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Justice all know about it, but I don't know what they will do."

That's a bit pathetic.

As the emperor, he was kept like a bird in a cage and had no say in anything. No wonder he was not very interested in the invasion of the Huns.

Sima Xiuwei sighed, stood up silently and said goodbye.

After Princess Xiangcheng left, Sima Chi's face suddenly turned gloomy.

Shao Xun is really powerful, even my sister can be controlled by him.

However, for now, this is not a bad thing.

Ajie was the wife of Wang Dun, the governor of Yangzhou, and the sister-in-law of Wang Yan, the Grand Commandant, and had a special status.

If she entered the palace, she would not arouse suspicion and would be a very suitable person to deliver the message.

Just pretend to be friendly with Shao Xun for the time being.

In dealing with Sima Yue, they may not be unable to cooperate. As for what will happen after the cooperation, we will talk about it later.

(End of this chapter)