The Mansion of the Prince of Yuzhang.
Huo Wei, Shen Guilan, and a group of newly - appointed court officials were all gathered in the backyard of the mansion, boiling water and brewing tea. There was no theater stage set up, nor were there any beautiful women to serve them.
In the whole yard, everyone sat in a circle, discussing court affairs. It was extremely lively.
From the perspectives of these people, Huo Wei also learned a lot about the strategies of the civil officials in the court. Shen Guilan whispered:
"Junior brother, I have to say that the method of Empress Dugu really helped you. I even feel a bit of admiration.
Look, all the new forces in the court you've won over are now whole - heartedly devoted to you.
When you gain power in the future, they will be your support in the court."
Huo Wei glanced sideways, his voice cold and hard: "Don't mention that woman again."
Shen Guilan held the teapot and poured tea, patiently saying:
"I'm not a pedantic person. As long as something is beneficial to you, I whole - heartedly approve.
I really loathe Empress Dugu for seducing you, but this matter of hers really helped you. Now I'm grateful to her.
With all the good and bad, it's even."
Huo Wei's face turned even darker. He growled: "I told you not to mention her again!"
Shen Guilan gave him a slightly disdainful look. His temper was still as bad as ever. He wondered whether his junior brother still had feelings for Empress Dugu. He hoped not.
At this moment, Sheng Yunqi walked over with his trouser legs full of mud and a pale face. He whispered:
"In the back garden of the mansion, the herbs planted by Military Advisor Shen are all ready."
Huo Wei slightly lifted his eyelids and said lazily: "Go and pull them out."
Sheng Yunqi frowned and angrily said: "For more than half a month, the herbs have been planted and pulled out again and again. What on earth does Your Highness mean?"
The guests behind all looked over, confused by the scene of Huo Wei and this muddy man.
Shen Guilan smiled and said: "It's okay, it's okay. My little male favorite is being disobedient again. He's taking his anger out on my medicinal herb field."
For Huo Wei's sake, Shen Guilan was willing to do anything.
Everyone stared in surprise. So Military Advisor Shen liked men... And the Prince of Yuzhang was impotent...
No wonder they had been here for several days and hadn't seen any actors or concubines in the mansion. It turned out that there was no need for women here.
Shen Guilan stared at Huo Wei and whispered: "Why is he still in the mansion?"
Huo Wei picked up his teacup, his black eyes full of playful smiles: "I'm giving him to you as your little male favorite."
The butler of the mansion lifted his robe and ran over out of breath. He whispered in Huo Wei's ear:
"Your Highness, His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have suddenly come. There was no sign at all. They're already at the main gate of the mansion."
Huo Wei glanced sideways, his eyes darkening: "Okay, I see."
Immediately, he stood up: "Everyone, something unexpected has happened. Please follow the military advisor to the back of the mansion to take shelter immediately.
His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have suddenly come to my mansion. If they see all of you gathered here with me,
and if someone with ill intentions tells His Majesty that I'm colluding with all of you and forming a clique, it will hinder your official careers."
Shen Guilan also changed his expression and quickly stood up: "Everyone, please follow me."
Everyone quickly disappeared from the backyard of the mansion. The servants quickly came to clean up the tea set.
Sheng Yunqi stood there, smiling with tears in his eyes: "She said she wouldn't care about me anymore, but she's come to save me."
Huo Wei walked over and pushed him: "What are you so happy about? Go and pull the weeds!"
The wind picked up slightly. The Mansion of the Prince of Yuzhang suddenly changed from a lively and relaxed place to a place full of suspicion and fear.
Huo Wei smoothed his dark blue long robe, straightened his clothes, and then strode towards the main gate of the mansion.
He also concealed the cruelty and wildness on his face and appeared in front of the emperor and the empress as a proper, cold and gentle gentleman, being polite and well - behaved.
Murong Min walked over and put his arm around Huo Wei's shoulder: "I'm on an incognito tour this time. I just came to see you. The empress is also here. We didn't bring many people."
Huo Wei looked up. He still remembered the color of the dress and the style of the hairpin that Dugu Luanyue wore that day.
It was the everyday clothes she wore when she came to the mansion to celebrate his birthday last time. The pink skirt fluttered gently in the spring breeze.
She was like a fox spirit who had just cultivated her essence in the deep mountains and came to the mortal world, weak and charming.
Dugu Luanyue walked over. Her usually bright and charming eyes looked a bit tired today. She forced a smile:
"I told His Majesty that the Prince of Yuzhang has worked hard for the spring imperial examination and has even funded the construction of houses for these newly - appointed officials.
His Majesty, considering the prince's kindness and the good weather recently, came to the mansion to see his son, for fear that you've been over - tired."
Murong Min smiled and put his hand on Huo Wei's shoulder, continuing to walk inside: "Yes, let me see how you live. I'm just bored in the palace."
Huo Wei also smiled politely and nodded: "Father, you didn't send someone to inform me in advance before coming to the mansion. I'm completely unprepared."
Murong Min said: "It's an incognito tour. There's no need to make a big fuss."
Although he said it very naturally, his eyes were not idle. He observed everything around.
What Dugu Luanyue had said to him while massaging his shoulders had made him suspicious of Huo Wei.
Therefore, he suddenly came to the mansion to catch Huo Wei off guard.
Huo Wei looked back and glared at Dugu Luanyue with his dark and deep eyes. Dugu Luanyue just smiled back:
"What's wrong, Your Highness? Do you think I shouldn't have come?"
Huo Wei smiled politely:
"What are you saying, Mother? Your coming here is just like coming back to your own mansion. I'm eager to show my filial piety to you."
The coldness suddenly appeared in the corner of his eye, and his jaw tightened.
Behind Dugu Luanyue were Su Rou and Aunt Meijiang. Su Rou carefully supported her. Recently, after taking that medicine, her body had become a bit weak, and the bleeding had increased.
Su Rou said: "Your Ladyship doesn't need to plead with His Majesty anymore. So what if I don't become a concubine? I don't care."
Dugu Luanyue knew very well what Murong Min was thinking.
He just didn't want another concubine from Southern Chu to appear in the harem of Northern Yan, for fear that in the future, if she had an heir, it would disrupt the bloodline of the royal family of Northern Yan. He also didn't want to see the power of the people from Southern Chu gradually growing in Northern Yan.
So even though Su Rou had served the emperor many times, she still had no official title.
Dugu Luanyue was a bit indignant about this. She thought Murong Min was a man with little courage.
"Su Rou, you've really been wronged, but I'll find a way to compensate you." She sighed.
The mansion was magnificent. The emperor, the empress, and Huo Wei set up a flower and wine banquet on the hillside pavilion. The wine served was fruit wine, accompanied by some spring refreshments.
They also asked Su Rou to sing a few Southern Chu ballads. Her singing was gentle and beautiful, arousing everyone's spring feelings.
Huo Wei secretly instructed Meng Tan: "Take out the pot of Immortal Drunk from the mansion and mix it into the fruit wine."
Meng Tan looked at Huo Wei doubtfully: "Your Highness, isn't Immortal Drunk too strong?"
Huo Wei glanced at him: "Stop being so wordy. Wait a moment and let that little male favorite come to serve the wine."
Immortal Drunk was the most intoxicating wine in Huo Wei's mansion. It was very easy to drink, but with a very strong after - effect. When mixed with fruit wine, it was even sweeter and softer.
In less than half an hour, people would feel like floating in the clouds, half - drunk and half - conscious.
When Sheng Yunqi came up with the wine, there was still mud on his feet. He left muddy footprints one by one and staggered up.
Seeing this scene, Dugu Luanyue tightly clenched her hand hidden in her sleeve robe, secretly gritted her teeth, and suddenly stood up!