Chapter 3 Brothers

Chapter 3 Brothers

The two half-brothers met like this. There was no outsider, no introduction, and no family affection. They looked at each other - the young man who arrived later looked more, and Han Ruzi quickly lowered his head.

The young man is another prince, the King of the East Sea. Although he was "expelled" from the palace three years ago, he seems to be very familiar with this place. On top, gently rock your feet off the ground.

"I thought what a formidable opponent I would meet, but you have disappointed me." The voice of the King of the East Sea revealed an unexpected maturity and ruthlessness. He didn't look at the brother next to him, but focused on his boots. "But when I become emperor, I still have to kill you, or at least lock you up so that you will never see the light of day. 'Bian He is innocent, and he is guilty of guilt', you have to understand that as long as you are the emperor's son, right I am a threat."

Han Ruzi didn't want to obey Yang Feng's reminder any more, and whispered, "The current emperor didn't kill us both."

"Ha, now? He is already dead and passed away. He is the only son of the Queen Mother, and he is also old and the eldest son. We can't compete with him, so he doesn't need to cut the grass. We are different. Much more noble than you, according to your age, you are a little older than me, maybe a few days. The empress dowager's direct son died, it should be me succeeding the throne, but there will always be a few pedantic guys who say 'the old and the young are ordered', It's confusing people, forcing me to clean up you."

Han Ruzi hummed, and felt that the words of the East Sea King made some sense.

"However—" The King of the East Sea looked at Han Ruzi again, "I think you are not bad, you are more honest, maybe I can spare your life, find a secluded corner in the palace to lock you up for a few years, and after my position is stable, I can No, I can't make you king, you stay in the palace, so that I can see you at any time, you can be a eunuch."

Han Ruzi shook his head. He had no bad impression of eunuchs, but he knew that it was a lowly business.

King Donghai jumped off his chair, put his hands on his hips, and stood in front of Han Ruzi, "From now on, you have to learn to please me, or I will still kill you."

Han Ruzi didn't look up and waited for a while before whispering, "I want to go home."

"Haha..." King Donghai laughed until tears came out, "Are you a fool? Win or lose, I am the king, and you are the pirate, where did you come from? You should think about how to please me."

Han Ruzi didn't say a word for a while, then raised his head and glanced at Donghai Wang quickly, "Zhong Chang servant Yang Feng took me into the palace."

The King of Donghai frowned, "So what? Zhongchang is only a small official in the palace. I know Yang Feng. He served me carefully for several years when the emperor was still a prince. When the emperor died, he was a lost dog. But you reminded me. I, when I ascend the throne, I must clean up Yang Feng."

Han Ruzi gave Donghai King another look in astonishment.

"Yang Feng is a traitor, you don't know how many bad things he has done, enough to behead ten times." King Donghai snorted contemptuously and returned to his chair, "You are really ignorant, I don't blame you, who made you The mother's status is low, and the father doesn't like you at all...why?"

Han Ruzi stood on the ground and stared angrily at the East Sea King, his cheeks flushed.

"You have to get used to listening to the truth." King Donghai was not at all afraid of this elder brother who was a few days older than him, "The truth is, your mother used to be a palace maid, and she didn't even have any relatives outside, our Cui family—you know me Who is the grandfather? It was the prime minister of Emperor Wu’s dynasty, my uncle is now the chief Sima of the Southern Army, and half of the army in the capital is under his control, second uncle…”

The King of the East Sea kept listing a long list of relatives. Listening to what he meant, the entire Great Chu Dynasty was supported by the Cui family.

Han Ruzi's anger subsided, he sat back on his chair, and listened quietly. When King Donghai finally shut up, he asked, "Why did the disciples of Taixue stop you from entering the palace at Dongqingmen?"

"The ministers wanted to make me the emperor outside the palace, but they were too timid, and they only sent a group of young men to make trouble." Donghai King said indifferently.

Han Ruzi snorted, this sound had no meaning, but the King of the East Sea was irritated, "Do you suspect that I am lying? Our Cui family has been in control of the government for more than ten years. My aunt is Emperor Wu, if it hadn't left early. , She is the Empress Dowager now, and the Empress Dowager Shangguan has to listen to her. You anger me, I will kill you as soon as I ascend the throne, and kill you and Yang Feng together, you are all traitors."

He heard too many threats, but Han Ruzi was no longer afraid. He also wanted to ask a question - why did King Donghai enter the palace alone? But he held back, and he became more and more convinced that it wasn't the rhetoric "Imperial Brother" who decided everything.

King Donghai suddenly shut up, jumped off his chair, hurried to the door, and looked out through the crack of the door, "Here comes the prime minister Yin Wuxian, this is an old and tricky guy, never willing to come forward, expect him to do nothing. If it can’t be done, when I become the emperor, I must demote him, of course, I can’t be too anxious, I have to wait for the first half of the year, and I can’t be as eager as the father and emperor.”

The King of the East Sea has been staying at the door to peep out, but he is well-informed and recognizes everyone.

"Shen Mingzhi, the censor of the right patrol, also came. Everyone said that he was upright. I think he is brave and resourceful. Sometimes it is not good to read too much. I'm a few days older. Don't be complacent, Shen Mingzhi is very popular in the court, everyone is afraid of him, but no one agrees with him, the more he supports you, the less likely you are to be emperor."

"Xiao Sheng, the censor of Zuo Cha, haha, he is from our Cui family, and he is the enemy of Shen Mingzhi. He will definitely support me."

"Han Xing, the military governor, is an important official of the clan, and he is also an honest man. In terms of seniority, he is still our uncle. Just like Prime Minister Yin Wuxian, he dares not do anything, so he can only guard the success. When I become emperor, let him Going back to the countryside, although the military governor is a vacant post, it is still a good one, and it has to be handed over to the most trustworthy person in the clan, and it won’t be you anyway.”

"So far, we've been on a tie. Don't be complacent, it's not these people who really decide who will succeed."

Han Ruzi didn't want to appear too ignorant, and interjected, "It should be the empress dowager."

This sentence annoyed the King of the East Sea again, he turned around abruptly and raised his eyebrows, "You are really a nasty guy, you are stupid and can't speak, who told you that the Queen Mother can decide everything? Is it your mother? You mother and son Just as stupid, the power of the empress dowager comes from the emperor. When the emperor dies, he can only rely on the children of his own family. The Shangguan family has been the empress for three years and the empress dowager for less than half a year. , unlike our Cui family, as early as the time of Emperor Wu, the court was full of descendants."

Han Ruzi shook his legs gently, "No wonder you know so many people."

King Donghai thought it was an apology, his mind was a little calmer, and his tone softened, "This is what the master taught me."

"Do you have a master?"

"Don't you have it?"

Han Ruzi shook his head.

"This is the result of not being favored. My master is a well-known scholar in the world. He has countless disciples. At least ten disciples are now officials of the third grade or above. He himself does not like to be an official. My uncle finally invited him over. You don't have a master, who will teach you to read?"

"My mother."

King Donghai smiled contemptuously, "Then you don't recognize many words." After saying that, he turned around and looked outside the house. After a while, he patted the door excitedly, "My uncle has finally arrived, Cui Hong, you must have heard of it. Well, the Great Sima of the Southern Army, half of the army in the capital is under his control. In this way, I can rest assured, and the master should also rest assured. When I succeed to the throne, sooner or later let him be the prime minister. "

"You said just now that he doesn't like being an official."

"That's because I haven't become an emperor yet." The King of the East Sea looked back at Han Ruzi, not knowing what to be suspicious of.

Several more officials entered the palace, and King Donghai became more and more complacent. He talked endlessly about his reward and punishment after becoming emperor. He suddenly shut up, ran back to the chair a few steps, and sat upright with a sad face. .

Han Ruzi was inexplicable, the door opened, and a young and elegant eunuch came in, saluted the two princes respectfully, straightened up, and showed a sad smile, "Please come with me, the two princes, the empress dowager summons you. "

Han Ruzi thought that the King of the East Sea would jump up and cheer for victory, but he didn't expect the King of the East Sea to be a different person, stood up, and said with a crying voice: "Unfortunately, the emperor left the clan and his ministers, and both of us are ignorant boys. , if there is anything that can ease the empress dowager's sadness a little, my father-in-law wants to remind me one or two. What's the name of my father-in-law?"

"The two princes entering the palace are the greatest comfort to the empress dowager. My name is Zuo Ji, just an ordinary waiter in the empress dowager's palace."

Han Ruzi couldn't believe his eyes, and felt that he should say something, but he couldn't think of a word, so he had to walk outside with Donghai King.

"Please go ahead, brother." The East Sea King humbly stepped aside.

Han Ruzi was stunned for a while, then walked ahead.

The young eunuch smiled, led the way, led the two princes out of the west wing, and walked along the corridor to the main room. The courtyard was empty, and there was a faint quarrel in the east wing opposite.

There were seven or eight eunuchs and palace maids standing in the main room, but there was no sign of the empress dowager. Even Han Ruzi felt that something was wrong. The King of the East Sea looked around and tried to ask several times, but he held back. .

Zuo Ji guided the two of them into the warm pavilion on the west side. The warm pavilion was very spacious. There was a large bed against the wall, with all bedding and a long chair under the window.

There is no empress dowager in the warm pavilion.

The East Sea King couldn't bear it any longer, "Empress Zuo, Empress Dowager..."

Zuo Ji stood at the door and said softly: "The Empress Dowager is exhausted physically and mentally, and she can't see anyone for the time being."

"But you said that the Empress Dowager summoned us." King Donghai couldn't hide his dissatisfaction.

"The two princes are already in the empress dowager's bedroom. This is considered a summons. Please rest here well..."

"How long is the rest? Are we going to sleep here?" Donghai Wang was taken aback.

"The Empress Dowager treats the two princes as her own, and most people are not qualified to stay here." Zuo Ji smiled, "The Empress Dowager is in the warm pavilion opposite. She is very afraid of noise, so please invite the two princes..." Zuo Ji said With a soft gesture, "If you need anything, just knock on the door lightly."

Zuo Ji exited the room and closed the door.

The King of the East Sea stood for a while, and then whispered: "The **** eunuch, stinky ****, this is putting us under house arrest!"

(seeking for collection and recommendation)