Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Secret Edict

In the evening, Guangxu stood restlessly in Concubine Zhen's living room, staring blankly at the black organ by the wall. He subconsciously walked over and stroked the black and white keys.With the movement of his fingers, because he didn't step on the pedal under the piano body, the keys made a hoarse sound, as if a person was moaning. Concubine Zhen stood in front of the window, looking at the gradually darkening sky outside the window.When she heard the sound of touching the keyboard, she immediately turned around and stared blankly at Guangxu.Almost at the same time, Guangxu also raised his face, and the eyes of the two lightly touched each other in the tranquility of the evening. Both of them wanted to say something, but neither opened their mouths. It was like opening a mouth, which was as gentle as water in tranquility, because The sudden throw of stones destroyed it.

In fact, his and her hearts are exactly the opposite of the tranquility at dusk, like a herd of horses galloping across the wilderness, thousands of iron hooves beating the ground, and a terrifying storm rises from the sky. This frightening storm was brought by Rong Qing, and Cixi wanted to force him to step down during Guangxu's military parade in Tianjin. Desires refuse to back down, especially the desire for power.Guangxu had already tasted the satisfaction brought by this supreme power, not to mention that he needed it more than anyone else.He needed power to transform the Qing Empire, and ambitiously realized his ambition to make the country strong.In a sense, power itself is an independent art full of temptation and charm.If power is transformed into specific actions for a certain specific goal, just like when Guangxu wants to use this to change the country at this moment, some unexpected weaknesses will appear.On the contrary, Cixi just wants to keep the power that has belonged to her for a long time. For her, this is an almost life-instinct need, and she cannot live without it.Therefore, she plays this art superbly, not for a very specific purpose, so she is always more conscious and freer than her opponent in this game of power.

Concubine Zhen walked to Guangxu's side, as usual, she was always the one to break the solemnity.An embarrassing silence.She didn't use ordinary language, but the language of her body. She reached out and stroked Guangxu's shoulder, and held his left hand with the other.She felt that his hands were wet and much cooler than usual. How could his palms be so cold on such a hot day? She asked strangely: Are you cold?Guangxu didn't speak, just glanced at her, then suddenly turned around and hugged her. Jane!If I can't fight against them, I might as well simply abdicate, take you to hide in a quiet place, and live a peaceful life

No!Concubine Zhen covered his mouth with her hand, and said resolutely that she would fight them.We must be able to fight. Yes, you are right.Guangxu smiled wryly, you have reminded me many times in the past that you want me to guard against her, but I never believed it, I always thought you were too narrow-minded Concubine Zhen stepped on her feet and pressed her face against the other's face. At this moment, what else could she say.According to her temper, she had already ordered Yuan Shikai to do it.But he had to wait until the Summer Palace sent definite news before taking action.He was worried that if Rong Qing belonged to the other party, and deliberately released rumors to make him react too hastily, the other party would take the opportunity to attack.But she believed in Rong Qing 100%, and she couldn't tell any more reasons.Just his affection for Yin'er, who would rather die than surrender, may not be enough to explain everything, but to her, this one is enough to explain everything, this is a woman's intuition.

It was getting dark, Concubine Zhen had just lit the oil lamp, and Tea Zhang came to report in a hurry, saying that Eunuch Liu had come and was waiting for him to be summoned in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.When he heard about Eunuch Liu, Guangxu's eyes lit up immediately, because this person was working outside the respect room, and he often walked around the Summer Palace and the palace.He was originally the apprentice of Wang Shang, the leader of the palace supervisor here, and it was Guangxu who deliberately hid his ears there.He would never come here himself unless it was absolutely necessary.Quick, bring him in quickly.Guangxu asked Chashuizhang to take Liu Wen to the study of Jingren Palace.

How is the situation at the Summer Palace?As soon as he saw Liu Wen, Guangxu couldn't wait to ask. On the surface, nothing can be seen, but there is a secret force inside.Liu Wen told Guangxu that the Empress Dowager Cixi had invited the princes and ministers to listen to the show these days, and secretly dispatched troops.The Empress Dowager has discussed with Beiyang Minister, Zhili Governor Rong Lu and others, and they will force the Emperor to abdicate during the military parade on the third day of next month. Guangxu didn't show his expression on the surface, but secretly complained in his heart, because what Rong Qing said was true, but he wasted half a day's precious time in vain.Then Liu Wen told Guangxu that in order to keep the wind out, additional guards were sent inside and outside the Summer Palace to watch closely, and only people were allowed to enter but not to go out. All of a sudden.Who knew that the tiger would also have time to take a nap, but at this time Cixi's favorite green strip tobacco was gone, and he was asked to pick it up overnight and rush back, so he returned to the palace and came to see Guangxu at the present time.

emperor!God has eyes!Liu Wen said excitedly to Guangxu. This is God's will, the sky will never end, and the sky will never die!Guangxu bit his tongue and said word by word. On the one hand, he was very nervous, and on the other hand, he felt that this was a good sign, which gave him some confidence in the upcoming showdown between him and Cixi.He walked around the room and asked about the other party's situation, and then told Liu Wen to return to the Summer Palace quickly, lest he stay here for too long, and Cixi would become suspicious. As soon as Liu Wen left, Guangxu's first reaction was to immediately write a letter to Yuan Shikai, asking him to lead the new army to Beijing to rescue him.Come on!Guangxu walked to the desk and shouted loudly to the door.

Long Live!What are your orders?Yin'er, who was on duty outside the door, immediately walked in when he heard Guangxu's words. Hurry up, invite your master Zhen to come.Guangxu knew that Yin'er was Concubine Zhen's caring maid, and that Concubine Zhen had saved her from Cixi's side, so he was more at ease with her, so he said that there was something important. Yin'er told Guangxu that Master Zhen was burning incense and worshiping Buddha in the Buddhist hall in the backyard, and would be back in a while.In order for Guangxu and Liu Wen to talk at ease, Yin'er was specially asked to stay outside the door and not let anyone get close.

Come on, serve Mo Bao.Guangxu knew that Aifei was asking the gods to bless him, so he didn't say any more.Let Yin'er grind the ink for him, spread out the eight-line paper, pick up the brush, and write a secret edict to Yuan Shikai. Facing the letter paper, Guangxu had mixed feelings in his heart, and for a moment he didn't know where to start writing. He just wrote a line, felt it was inappropriate, and stretched out his hand to crumple it.He wrote several sheets in a row, but still nothing was written. Yin'er rubbed the ink on the inkstone carefully. Although she didn't know what happened, judging from the nervousness of Guangxu and Concubine Zhen, something serious might have happened in the court.When she saw Guangxu wrote on the letter paper that I will not protect you, you send troops quickly, she couldn't help being very surprised. It turned out that Long Live God really had sex with Lafayette.Thinking of this, an unspeakable fear welled up in her heart.

Since she refused to be a spy for Director Li, she knew that the conflict between Guangxu and Cixi was not a one-day cold.In particular, Lafayette's dislike for Master Zhen was beyond words, the accident was only a matter of time, she secretly glanced at the emperor, saw that his face was blue and he was muttering something, obviously very excited.Holding the pen in his hand trembling slightly, it seemed that he couldn't write complete words and sentences. He wrote and tore, tore and wrote, but in the end he still didn't finish it. Evidently, the emperor was writing a very important letter.It stands to reason that the emperor should let her go after she has rubbed the ink, and should not write in her face.Was it because the emperor was so excited that he forgot, or because the court ladies were generally illiterate, so the emperor felt that there was no need for her to avoid her. In short, she shouldn't have stayed here, but the emperor didn't let her go, and she didn't dare to leave on her own.

Concubine Zhen burned incense in the Buddhist hall. When she learned that Liu Wen had left, she hurried to the study to see Guangxu. When she saw Yin'er standing by the desk grinding ink, the table was covered with waste paper that Guangxu crumpled. In front of Guangxu, there was a half-written imperial edict.Seeing this scene, Concubine Zhen was secretly startled, she immediately lowered her face and asked Yin'er to go out.As soon as Yin'er left, Concubine Zhen complained to Guangxu that she shouldn't have written such an important secret edict in front of the maid. She is your most caring maid, and you saved her. Although Guangxu felt that what Concubine Zhen said made sense, he still defended himself loudly. That's not okay, this is a major matter related to the emperor's wealth and life and the country's court! It's okay, she can't read.Guangxu smiled helplessly. Well, let's not talk about these.If she was illiterate, Rongqing would not have written poems for her back then. Concubine Zhen smiled wryly, and didn't get serious with Guangxu anymore. When asked about the secret talks between Liu Wen and Guangxu, what did Liu Wen say? Now it seems that what Rong Qing said is true, there is no falsehood.I was planning to write a letter to Yuan Shikai and ask him to send troops to rescue him.Guangxu pointed to the waste paper on the table and said, I always feel that I don’t know the point after writing, and I want to wait for you to come back and discuss it before writing. Do you think he is reliable?Guangxu asked worriedly. At this moment, is there anyone else who can save him?Guangxu asked Concubine Zhen back, and at the same time told about the situation when he summoned Yuan Shikai a while ago.He believes that Yuan Shikai has trained the new army for a long time, and his thinking is relatively open, at least he agrees with the New Deal in his heart. That's true.Concubine Zhen nodded helplessly.She thought about the ministers who held military power in the Manchu Dynasty in her mind. As Guangxu said, except for Yuan Shikai, almost all of these people were Cixi's cronies. If this is the case, the emperor will continue to write! I don't know what to write next, or even what I want Yuan Shikai to do! During the military parade in Tianjin, let him act first and arrest Rong Lu.Concubine Zhen said resolutely. Well, let's do it like this, let him strike first.Guangxu thought for a while, then grabbed the pen and was about to write it down, when Concubine Zhen called him back. Now it seems that just catching Ronglu is not enough.Lafayette only needs one word, and people from all walks of life still obediently listen to her. you mean?Guangxu stared at Concubine Zhen, as if the answer was on her face. Let Yuan Shikai lead troops to surround the Summer Palace! Facing Concubine Zhen's resoluteness, Guangxu felt goosebumps all over his body, and he didn't speak for a long time.He thought in his heart, if he had the heart to attack Cixi, he would definitely be notorious in the future and become a rebellious and unworthy descendant.Remembering that when he entered the palace at the age of four, Empress Dowager Cixi brought him up like her own son, including asking a teacher to teach him to read, and finally let him inherit the throne. It can be said that without Empress Dowager Cixi, he would not be where he is today. Concubine Zhen knew that no matter what happened, she immediately softened when she met Cixi.For this, she felt pity for him in her heart, and even more hated that water does not make ice, and felt that his cowardice without masculinity would eventually destroy him.But these were extraordinary times, and she had to convince him. emperor!You must be ruthless, if you don't do it, someone else will! Jane!Guangxu was extremely contradictory in his heart. He tightly grasped Concubine Zhen's little hand with both hands. He became more and more excited as he spoke, and finally burst into tears. For the sake of the New Deal, I can remove the six halls of the Ministry of Rites, I can also seize Ronglu, and I can even give King Rui to commit suicide !But what should I do to the empress dowager, I, I really can't do it!Zhen'er, think about it, the Qing Dynasty has been in the customs for more than three hundred years, and it has been through nine generations, and there has never been a single such unworthy descendant! There has never been an emperor who abdicated himself!Concubine Zhen said decisively.Facing Guangxu who was full of tears and blamed himself, she could understand his mood, but it was more of a disappointment.The situation is so serious, he should use all means to turn back Kuang Tao, ruthlessly suppress his opponent, and should not be entangled in his personal love and resentment.She knew that he was kind-hearted, weak-natured, and sentimental.If he hadn't been born in the royal family and at the pinnacle of this power seat, he must be a good man, a man of great taste and good taste.Unfortunately, he happened to be the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and he was under too much pressure. His sensitive and fragile nature prevented him from becoming a strong man.Facing the showdown in front of her, Concubine Zhen felt unspeakably worried, and felt a sense of foreboding.She was not worried that his opponent was too strong, but that he was too weak. After hearing Concubine Zhen's words, Guangxu sank down in the chair in front of the desk in frustration, and kept his head down for a long time without speaking. After a while, he suddenly stood up and said to Concubine Zhen: "My concubine love!"I went to the Summer Palace overnight!I want to explain to the emperor's father.Seeing that Concubine Zhen ignored him with a sullen face, the expression on her face obviously disapproved of his actions, so she walked back and forth in the room like a wolf.As he walked, he kept rubbing his hands, murmured in his mouth, and made a series of indistinct sounds, as if he was talking to himself, or as if he was telling Concubine Zhen, the emperor's father is a person who understands, she will help me for sure Concubine Zhen stood there motionless, remembering that the former Emperor Kangxi arrested and killed the regent Minister Oboi when he was thirteen years old, what a hero it was!Guangxu is already twenty-seven years old, more than half older than Kangxi back then, and now his opponent has not defeated him, and he has already fallen, silently looking at the man she loves, she doesn't know what to say, even if she says it, it won't help.She sighed in her heart, thinking that this was fate.She tried her best to restrain herself, not to persuade him, and let him make up his own mind, and as the king of a country, make his due choice for himself and the country.But when Guangxu stopped in front of her and insisted on asking her if he would beg Cixi, would the other party help him out of the love between mother and child, she became angry and couldn't help saying in a mocking tone: She will do anything but not help you.On the face of it, she will be very friendly to you, and when it comes to things, she will push six, two, five, and just say New Year's greetings.However, what should happen, nothing will change! nonsense!You, you have always had a personal grudge against Papa Huang, and you have a prejudice against her.Guangxu suddenly waved his arms, jumped and screamed and lost his temper at Concubine Zhen. Well, even if the concubine is wrong.Anyway, the matter has become a big deal at this moment, the emperor has to take the idea, and the concubines don't say anything.Concubine Zhen looked at Guangxu with a livid face, feeling an indescribable pain in her heart, like watching her beloved walk along the cliff, knowing that if he took another step, he would fall to pieces, but she couldn't help it. prevent this tragedy from happening. Say it, say it!Guangxu forced her to speak, and walked up and down the study room irritably.In fact, he himself didn't know what to say to her. The emperor must tell me, so I will.Concubine Zhen stretched out her hands to straighten her hair by her ear, breathed a sigh of relief, calmed down, and said as calmly as possible, "If you are the emperor, I will be the concubine; if you are a commoner, I will be your daughter-in-law."Whether it is eating bran or swallowing vegetables, even if you ask for food, I will be by your side.In case the emperor becomes a prisoner, I will accompany you in prison for the rest of my life without any complaints. Concubine Zhen spoke calmly, but very well.She has talked about everything that may happen now and in the future, and she has made her own choices. In fact, she is not only expressing her attitude to him, but also warning him, what are you going to do in the face of such a cruel reality? Guangxu pushed open the casement and stood in front of the window for a long time. The cool wind in late summer and early autumn, like soft silk slipped in through the dark window, caressing his cheek.He yelled, yelled, and lost his temper. The restless heart in his chest finally calmed down, and it gradually calmed down between the lungs and ribs. The only choice.He comforted himself in his heart, he asked Yuan Shikai to lead troops into Beijing, surrounded the Summer Palace, and asked Cixi not to leave the Summer Palace, and more importantly, to prevent those treacherous officials from getting close to the emperor's father, and never allow anyone to hurt the empress dowager.But to Prince Gong and Prince Rui who are rebellious officials and thieves, we must do what Concubine Zhen said, and never show mercy. right!Just do it.Guangxu closed the window, returned to the desk, picked up a pen, and mustered all his courage to write down the secret edict. This quiet night, as usual, had nothing special about it.However, as a historical figure, he will pay a huge price for what he has done.These prices include not only himself and Concubine Zhen, but also the fate of the Qing Dynasty.Perhaps in the face of fate, anyone, including the supreme monarch, has a kind of helplessness. Even today, a hundred years after this incident, people still cannot judge whether his choice is wrong or right. Yin'er lay on the kang bed in the lower room, opened her eyes in a daze, saw the gray morning light on the window paper, and was in a daze. Thinking of what happened in Concubine Zhen's study last night, she was terrified.In the past, she had also heard that there were conflicts between the emperor, Master Zhen and Lafayette, but she never expected that the dispute between them would reach the point of using swords and guns. Last night, when she saw Guangxu writing under the lamp that my position will not be guaranteed, you must lead the army to come, she could hardly believe her eyes.That is to say, the relationship between the emperor and Lafayette has reached the point of life and death. If one side does not make a move, the other will.She didn't know whether it was Guang's negligence in a hurry, or because she thought she was illiterate like other court ladies, so she wrote this secret that should not be known in front of her. In short, no matter what the situation was, she shouldn't Being present, this seemed to be fate, and she was forced to do it. She didn't know what to do in the face of this coming storm.One side is the empress dowager, her former master; the other side is the emperor and concubine Zhen, who is not only her current master, but also saved her life in front of Lafayette.She had secretly sworn that she would never speak or sow discord between them.That's why when Li Lianying asked her to inquire about Master Zhen and the emperor's situation, she refused to say anything.But then again, now it's no longer the normal conflict between hello and me, both sides are going to get serious, she can't just watch the emperor send troops to arrest Cixi! Thinking that the emperor was going to attack Lafayette, Yin'er's heart suddenly felt like a mess. For some reason, she had an inexplicable affection for Lafayette in her bones, and felt that there was a kind of fate between her and her.Especially in the Summer Palace that day, Lafayette talked about the situation when she entered the palace, the little shuttlecock, which made her even more convinced that this was a predestined relationship.In the current conflict, she compared Lafayette to her mother, Concubine Zhen to her sister-in-law, and the emperor to her brother.Although the characters here are not exactly the same, they are all a family. There is no doubt that Master Zhen is Cixi's daughter-in-law.Thinking down the relationship between these characters, she can't help but stand on Cixi's side like she was on her mother's side at home.From this comparison, she immediately felt that Master Zhen was the one who played tricks. Because of her, Guangxu and Cixi's mother and son insisted on breaking up. Buddha. Yiner!She was thinking wildly, when she was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice, she knew it was Master Zhen, she hurriedly got off the bed, thinking to herself, what is she doing here before dawn?Yin'er opened the door and welcomed Master Zhen in. Master Zhen!Yin'er blinked nervously, thinking that she must have come to find her because of what happened last night. woke you up?Master Zhen walked in with a smile, and stopped by the window of the lower room. Sure enough, as Yin'er guessed, Concubine Zhen came here to look for her because of what happened last night.After Yin'er left last night, Concubine Zhen complained that Guangxu shouldn't write the secret edict in Yin'er's face.At first Guangxu didn't take it seriously, when Concubine Zhen told him that Rongqing's love poem was written for her, if she could not read, could Rongqing send someone to send her a letter?Guangxu was questioned by Concubine Zhen, and only then did he feel that the problem was serious.The two discussed for a while, and decided that Concubine Zhen should come forward to find her after dawn, and make countermeasures according to the actual situation on the spot, and preemptively strike if necessary, playing Rongqing's card. Are you literate?Concubine Zhen suddenly asked Yin'er. master!What's the meaning?Yin'er froze, feeling indescribably flustered. It doesn't matter, you just tell the truth. I learned a little from Ama since I was a child, but I don't know much about it.Yin'er stabilized her mind and said calmly. Last night, you saw all the imperial edicts written by the emperor! this Say, see?Concubine Zhen pursued closely. I recognized a few characters, but they couldn't connect together, and I couldn't tell what the meaning was. Yin'er thought that no matter what, she couldn't admit that she saw the meaning written in the emperor's edict. You don’t need to be afraid, even if you see what it means, it’s okay.Concubine Zhen sat down on the chair opposite Yin'er. Back to the master's words, the slave really can't understand Yiner!Don't pretend to be confused, if you really want to be like what you said, if you don't know a few words, can Guard Rong write love poems for you?Concubine Zhen interrupted her. Master Zhen!Seeing Concubine Zhen mentioning Rongqing, I Yin'er was immediately tongue-tied and said, if I say that the servant can't see anything, it's a lie, if I say that I can see everything, it's even more a lie. This is the truth.Concubine Zhen nodded, apparently satisfied with Yin'er's answer.It can be seen that she hit Yin'er's vital point at once, so she started to make a fuss about it. Let me ask you the truth again, do you really love Guard Rong? Touching a vital point, Yin'er was too frightened to make a sound. Don't be afraid, just tell me if you have anything to say, the emperor has already spared Rong Qing last time, and will not pursue this matter again, and the emperor made a promise, saying that when the guards of Rong have made meritorious service, the emperor will officiate the marriage for you, you Believe it or not?Concubine Zhen asked softly. Yin'er's heart warmed up, and she nodded gratefully. Just wait, good things are coming soon.Concubine Zhen said with a smile. Master Zhen, what do you mean?Yin'er heard that there was something in the other party's words, she wanted to ask but didn't dare to ask, and she didn't want to ask but was unwilling, so she made a detour and asked in a different way. Do you want to leave the palace early and go home early?Concubine Zhen simply made it clear, in order to catch her heart at this critical moment. I'm still a few years away. Isn't that all in the words of the emperor? I'm afraid that Lafayette will not agree.Yin'er said tentatively. Lafayette will not return to the Forbidden City for a while. Na Yin'er was startled, and deliberately pretended to be confused, so she can't live in the Summer Palace forever. Don't inquire about this, just listen to me!Concubine Zhen was confident that she had firmly controlled Yin'er in her hands, smiled kindly, and turned to leave.Yin'er suddenly stopped her. Master Zhen! What's up? Thank you master for your kindness, slave!Yin'er suddenly knelt down and kowtowed several times to Concubine Zhen.After all, Yin'er was not new to the palace at that time, she knew that kowtow at this time was not only to express her gratitude, but also to express her allegiance to Concubine Zhen.Concubine Zhen deliberately hesitated for a while before she was about to leave here, just to see Yin'er's reaction, when Yin'er knelt down to thank her, the doubts in her heart were completely dispelled, and she stretched out her hand to pull him up from the ground. Yin'er sent Concubine Zhen away lying on the ground, her body paralyzed on the ground like a puddle of soft mud, unable to recover for a long time.On the one hand, she felt indescribably excited and excited about the possibility of an early reunion with Rong Qing, but when she thought that this possibility was based on the emperor's victory over Lafayette, her mood suddenly became gloomy.She noticed what Master Zhen said just now, that Lafayette may never return to the Forbidden City, the meaning in these words could not be more clear, the emperor is going to attack Lafayette.Thinking of this, she felt unspeakable fear in her heart. She longed to be with Rong Qing. In this world, he was the only lover in her heart. To her, he was more important than anyone else, but it didn't mean it was for him. She will disregard all justice in the world.She wants to live, and others also want to live. She has her own reasons for living, and others have reasons for others to live too! After much deliberation, she didn't know what to do. Guangxu wrote the secret edict overnight, and originally wanted to call Rongqing into the palace directly, let him take him out of the Forbidden City, and immediately hand it over to Zhangjing Tan Sitong of the Military Aircraft Department, and then went to find Yuan Shikai with Tan Sitong, but the next morning, Guangxu discovered the situation wrong.Not long after he returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation from Concubine Zhen, he saw that there were more people inside and outside the Qianqing Gate, and the familiar guards had also changed, and he couldn't help but secretly groaned. He thought about it for a while, and finally quietly told King Rui to enter the palace, deliberately pretending to be indifferent, and asked about the military parade in Tianjin.King Rui hurriedly reported to Guangxu that all arrangements had been made for the military parade in Tianjin on the third day of next month.Guangxu asked some random questions, and King Rui answered them one by one.In the end, Guangxu pretended to be extremely casual, and asked him who would be his bodyguard when he went to Tianjin. King Rui quickly said that he had already selected someone for the emperor. Guangxu pretended to be very concerned and asked, who is the bodyguard?King Rui told Guangxu that the candidate was Lan Ling's bodyguard Rong Qing.Guangxu frowned on purpose: you mean that guard who wrote crooked poems?Not long after I punished him, would he be jealous?King Rui already had ghosts in his heart, when he saw that Guangxu was worried about Rong Qing, he immediately stepped forward to guarantee Rong Qing. Don't worry, the emperor, the servant dares to guarantee with his wealth and life!Seeing that Guangxu still had doubts, King Rui was afraid that if he refused to let Rong Qing accompany him, his carefully planned plan would come to nothing. The emperor punished him.For this reason, the servant talked to Rong Weishi, and he repeatedly stated that he would take the crime and make meritorious service, so the servant dared to arrange for him to accompany him. Well then, bring this person up.Guangxu made a very reluctant look and asked King Rui to summon Rongqing to the palace. Before Rong Qing entered the palace, he had already noticed that something was wrong. Not only did extra manpower be sent inside and outside the palace, but even the Shenwu Gate was filled with newly transferred guards on the third and outer floors.He knelt on the ground, bowed to Guangxu, and cast a wink at the emperor the moment he raised his head.Honor!Guangxu deliberately pretended to be indifferent and asked, you wrote crooked poems and threw them everywhere, and I punished you, do you accept it? The slave is convicted.When Rong Qing heard Guangxu mention this matter, he immediately understood what was going on.King Rui didn't expect Guangxu to mention this matter again, and hurriedly defended Rong Qing. If you go back to the emperor, the servant has already found out about that matter, and his poem was written for the slave girl!King Rui rushed to explain for Rong Qing. What?Rongqing, you write a love poem to Prince Rui's little Gege!Guangxu smiled coldly when he heard this, and thought that King Rui was indeed a fool. He thought he was smart and wanted to use this kind of cleverness to deceive himself, but in fact he had already been put into a cover by himself. The servant is daring.Rong Qing followed Guangxu's words. Honor!Guangxu deliberately said disapprovingly, what is Gege's identity?What are you?Do you still want to promote this marriage? The little girl and Rong Qing fell in love with each other, and they have already engaged in marriage.The more King Rui talked, the more outrageous he was, he even talked about the matters of his children and in-laws. Oh, did you send your son-in-law Chenglong Kuai to me?Guangxu pretended to be surprised. If the emperor doesn't like him, the servant will pick another one.It was only then that King Rui realized that he had said too much. In order to avoid suspicion, he immediately said that he could replace Rong Qing with other people. Prince Rui's son-in-law, I can still worry about it.Guangxu pretended to be very fond of King Rui, while thinking in his heart how to hand over the secret edict he wrote to Rongqing, let him take it outside the palace, and hand it over to Yuan Shikai himself.He suddenly had a quick wit and quickly asked about the pistol: Rongqing!Remember I rewarded you with a pistol? Rong Qing wears it with him and never leaves it. Did you bring it? Back to the emperor, bring it. Let me see. twitter! Rong Qing immediately unloaded the gun, knelt down on the ground, and held it to Guangxu with both hands.Guangxu took the pistol and asked the other party if it was loaded with bullets.Hearing that the other party said there was no bullet loaded, he leaned over the desk, removed the barrel of the gun and played with it carefully, pretending to humbly ask Rong Qing for advice.In fact, Guangxu has already been very familiar with this gun, he just used excuses to delay time, paralyze King Rui, and took the opportunity to hand over the secret edict to Rong Qing to take him out of the palace. Although King Rui was a careless person, he was more serious about the tasks assigned by Cixi than anything else. He would keep an eye on Rongqing wherever he went, and did not let Guangxu have any chance to strike.Guangxu saw what was on King Rui's mind, so he asked Rong Qing to lie down without courtesy, let him walk around in front of the display racks at will, pick out one of his favorite exhibits, and give it to him before he went to Tianjin.At the same time, Guangxu specially called King Rui to his side and talked to him about the performance and structure of the pistol.As a result, it really aroused King Rui's vigilance.He listened to Guangxu absent-mindedly, but fixed his eyes on Rong Qing. Guangxu saw that he was absent-minded, and immediately became angry. He scolded him, then threw him aside, and said to Rong Qing who was standing not far away Blackened, he must have shot a lot.Rong Qing immediately replied: The servant has basically practiced to the point where he can hit every bullet. OK!Guangxu made a pun, this time, the life and death of my trip to Tianjin is all up to you. Your Majesty, please rest assured, as long as the slave has a sigh of relief, His Majesty will be safe and sound!Rong Qing heard that there was something in the other party's words, and also expressed his determination to the other party. Your Majesty, you regard Rong Qing as Liu Bei's Zhao Zilong and Shi Gong's Huang Tianba!Watching them asking and answering, King Rui was so anxious that he had nothing to say.Guangxu laughed out loud and said repeatedly that he spoke well.His smile made Rong Qing laugh too.King Rui originally pretended to laugh, but when he saw that they were all laughing, he also laughed heartily. In fact, he didn't know why Guangxu was laughing and why Rong Qing was laughing. It is inevitable that people will be suspicious. After Guangxu laughed, he suddenly called out: Rong Qing took the gun and threw the pistol back to the other party. Rong Qing caught the pistol neatly and put the pistol in his waist.Before Rong Qing and King Rui left, Guangxu suddenly decreed that Rong Qing, the guard of Lanling, was promoted to the guard of Qianqing Gate. On the tray was the second-rank official hat.Official uniform and yellow jacket. After Rong Qing thanked the emperor for his great kindness, he followed King Rui back to the value house.King Rui looked at Rong Qing who was wearing a yellow mandarin jacket and an official hat with double eyes and feathers, and said eccentrically: Our emperor really likes you.Rong Qing hurriedly said: That's not the prince's recommendation. Don't do this with me.King Rui suddenly changed his face and pointed at the other party's yellow jacket. Take off the yellow jacket for me! Lord!What are you doing? take off!Let you take it off.King Rui was full of anger.Rong Qing was stunned for a while, while taking off the yellow jacket, murmured to take it off and take it off, King Rui lowered his face and asked him to deliver the yellow jacket to him, at this moment Rong Qing suddenly realized that this old man was worried he.Seeing King Rui carefully inspecting that yellow jacket, Rong Qing couldn't help being startled, what if the emperor's secret edict was hidden in that new jacket?He calmed down and waited quietly. He had already made up his mind that if King Rui touched the vital thing from inside, he would have to shoot and kill him first. King Rui checked Rong Qing's new clothes inside and out, every corner and every corner, but found nothing.But King Rui was still not reconciled, and asked Rong Qing to hand over the crown on his head.Rong Qing angrily took off the hat to him, King Ren Rui turned it over and looked at it for a long time. Lord!Rong Qing felt unspeakable nervousness in his heart, but he pretended to be relaxed and said, what are you looking for?It is new inside and out, and there are no lice yet. Rong Qing, I'm doing it for your own good.King Rui didn't find anything, so he finally felt relieved, I'm afraid he will give you some clothes and belts, then you won't be able to eat and walk away! What clothing belt edict?Rong Qing pretended to be stupid on purpose. Honor!Listen, I'm not here for you.From now on, from now on, we are all grasshoppers on the same rope!After the third day of next month, everything should be there.King Rui glanced at the closed door and comforted Rong Qing in a low voice. When Rong Qing returned home, he had to admire King Rui's shrewdness, but his behavior caused Rong Qing to think.He believed that the emperor called him to the Hall of Mental Cultivation in front of King Rui, there must be a lot of articles in it, but he checked the clothes and hat carefully, but found nothing like King Rui.He sat blankly at the desk in a daze, habitually took out the pistol under his waist, and ejected the bullets that were pressed in the chamber, and suddenly found something blocked in the chamber. He quickly found an ear pick, and dug out a tightly rolled white silk from the gun barrel.Rong Qing was startled, hurriedly closed the door, then returned to the desk and slowly unfolded the thin white silk, and found that it was densely written with words. There is no doubt that this must be the emperor's secret edict.I remember that when Guangxu threw the pistol back to him, he said that this time, my life and death are all in your hands.Then, he found a small line of Emperor Guangxu's own handwriting on the corner of the white silk: Send Tan Sitong quickly and tell Yuan Shikai.Rong Qing excitedly grabbed the pistol, reloaded the receded bullets, and then hid the secret order, put on the gun and don't leave the house in a hurry. Rong Qing is a caring person.In order to prevent accidents, he had already found out where Tan Sitong lived, and he even knew exactly when he was on duty and when he was not on duty, so he didn't hesitate for a minute when he saw the emperor's secret edict.After leaving the house, he hurried to the Hunan Liuyang Guild Hall in North Street Hutong, where Tan Sitong lived. Rong Qing's steps were hurried, and his heart was even more anxious than his steps. Honor!Mr. Rong!Little Gege can call him wherever he is.She was still dressed in men's clothes, wearing a robe, and was holding a paper fan in her hand. She looked very chic. When she saw Rong Qing, she was very mischievous. She laughed and joked with him, Mr. Rong, congratulations to you! Little grid?Rong Qing was very surprised, the more anxious he was, the more he saw a ghost, no one came to block his way, but Yin Liu bumped into him.He was very anxious in his heart, but he didn't dare to show any neglect on his face.Don't say that she is his nominal fiancee now, even if she is not, because of her violent temper, he dare not offend her. Do you still know each other?I treat you like a dog who sees people as inferior, and if you are promoted to a sesame official, you will be ignored by ordinary people.Little Gege finds Rong Qing pleasing to his eyes, but he deliberately jokes with him. See what you said.Rong Qing took a look at Little Gege, and felt that her men's attire was prettier than her daughter's attire.Thinking of this, he scolded himself in his heart for being worthless, what time is this, and he still thinks about these things.He pulled away to leave, but Little Gege held him back. In such a hurry, where are you going? Me, I'm looking for someone. Who are you looking for? 你又不認識！ Male or female? What?榮慶愣了片刻，沒想到對方會冒出這個問題。 找女的，得去八大胡同。您得往北拐呀。 我去找個親戚。 我陪你一塊兒去。 那那像什麼樣兒啊？ 怎麼哪！小格格抖抖衣服，八大祥的料子，哪點不像樣兒？哪點丟你人了？我早瞧出來了，你小子存心躲著我！ I don't!實在是人在江湖，身不由己，忙的我腳丫子朝天。榮慶連忙向她解釋。 我可沒看出來，小格格冷笑笑：什麼親戚？別是你那個小妞妞兒又還陽了吧？ 甭瞎說！ 當我不知道，想騙我？小格格上下打量著榮慶，紅頂子，黃馬褂兒。你一不騎馬，二不坐轎，連個底下人都不帶，你說你找誰去？ 格格兒！榮慶知道跟她不能來硬的，立即陪著笑臉，好言好語哄著她說，看你說的，這不沒影兒的事嗎？我們老爺子燒的慌，擺了幾桌席，非讓我把老親都請來，熱鬧熱鬧！ real!小格格一聽他們家要請客頓時來神了，多會呀？ 榮慶騙她說就在今天晚上。小格格想了半天，終於放了他，不過說她到時候也可要去他們家熱鬧。榮慶連聲答應著，說了一大通好話，終於將這位生性好強難以應付的小格格打發走了。 榮慶到了菜市口北半街胡同處的瀏陽會館，他進了小院，抬頭見門上有匾：莽蒼蒼書齋，知道這便是譚嗣同的住處，譚大人剛從湖南調任北京不久，來不及安家，就在會館臨時租了一間四合院。院門邊一間小屋裡走出一位年過五旬的老管事，向榮慶迎上來：大人，您找哪位爺？ 軍機處譚大人住在這兒？榮慶指著莽蒼蒼書齋問道。 譚大入就住這兒，不過他現時出去了。老管事回答說。 Where did you go? 沒留話兒。 When are you coming back?榮慶急了。 要不您留個字兒，等譚大人回來，讓他回拜您去。老管事歉意地對榮慶笑笑，說譚大人一時半時可能回不來。 不用，我在這兒等譚大人。榮慶站在書齋門前。老管事見對方認真要等譚大人，連忙讓榮慶上門房歇會兒，說給他沏壺茶，讓他邊喝邊等。榮慶猶豫片刻，指著書齋門，說他就在這兒等，老管事無可奈何地走了。榮慶看一眼四周，沒發現什麼可疑處，這才走到書齋門前的石階上緩緩落下屁股。 榮慶坐在石階上，一邊等譚嗣同，一邊細細想著這些天來發生的一切。他心裡有說不出的緊張和亢奮。他深知自己的身家性命，包括他和吟兒將來的前程，全都押在皇上和皇太后之間的這場鬥爭中。此刻，他再也顧不得許多，皇上對也好，皇太后錯也好，反正對他來說只有一條路，那就是跟定皇上，一條道走到黑了。 他正思謀著，突然看見一個人影從院門走進，他立即認出那人是譚嗣同。 譚大人！榮慶慌忙從門前石階上站起。 who are you?我好像沒見過您。譚嗣同認出他是光緒身邊的侍衛，但外表上卻裝出毫不相識的樣子，由於他的身分，早就被瑞王等人盯上了，他不能不提防。他看一眼榮慶，意識到皇上那邊可能出了事，要不皇上決不會冒險派他來這兒找他。 在下是乾清門侍衛，有特別要緊的事！榮慶連忙向譚嗣同解釋，心裡卻不高興，因為他跟這位譚大人在皇上身邊已經見了好幾回了。 Business?譚嗣同不動聲色地問，一邊打量著四周。 certainly!榮慶特別強調這兩個字。 公事請明天送到紫禁城軍機處，我身涉機要，不便在家裡待客，請吧。譚嗣同要榮慶明兒去軍機處找他，急得榮慶湊到他面前，說這件事十萬火急，等不了明天。譚嗣同心中已經料到對方有急事，但仍然裝作不著急的樣子，問他什麼事？榮慶猶豫片刻，說還是進屋裡說。譚嗣同趁著與他說話的機會，再一次打量著四周，當他確信沒什麼可疑之處，這才讓榮慶進了他的書房。 榮慶跟著譚嗣同一前一後進了書齋。 please sit down.譚嗣同指指茶几邊的椅子，讓榮慶就座。 榮慶沒有入座，轉身關上房門，然後神色嚴肅地走到譚嗣同面說：譚嗣同接旨！ 接誰的旨？譚嗣同一動不動地坐在那兒，兩眼緊緊盯著對方。 當然是皇上的。榮慶有些火了，不知對方跟自己玩什麼花樣。 榮侍衛，譚嗣同哈哈一笑，你大概不清楚聖旨出自誰人的手筆吧？皇上下詔，都是我們軍機處先擬稿子，皇上過了目，還是我們軍機處抄寫下發，我沒有動過筆，哪兒來的聖旨？ 這是皇上的密詔。榮慶邊說邊取下帽子，從帽沿裡取出一卷白絹遞給對方。 譚嗣同猶豫片刻，站起來接過榮慶手上的密詔，粗粗看了一遍，覺得這字跡，其間的語氣，顯然不像是假的。但一想到榮慶是瑞王的人，而且此人與瑞王家的小格格訂了親，唯恐其中有詐。眼下，皇上與皇太后雙方箭在弦上，一處小小失誤，可能惹出大禍，他不得不提防。其中最令他擔心的是瑞王假傳光緒皇上聖旨，讓他們在不辨真假的情況下輕舉妄動，這樣對方便可在早有準備的情況下，將他們一網打盡。 這是假的。譚嗣同突然沉下臉。 不，真的，我敢以性命擔保！榮慶信誓旦旦地說。 你騙不了我！你是瑞王的走狗！譚嗣同突然拔出牆上掛劍，一個劍花，直逼榮慶，說，瑞王派你假傳聖旨，用意何在，他想幹什麼？ 榮慶猝不及防，被他用劍逼到牆角，榮慶站在那兒，將上午光緒召見他的情況說了一遍：我發誓！跟瑞王沒關係 你再不說實話，我要開殺戒了！譚嗣同舉劍向對方懷中刺去。 榮慶見對方動手，虛晃一招，側身轉體迅速出手，趁對方身體前傾的一瞬間，奪過對方手中的寶劍。看見榮慶有如此不凡的身手，譚嗣同心中暗暗驚訝。他站在那兒，運足底氣等著對方出手。榮慶顯然沒有出手的意思，雙手捧著劍遞給譚嗣同。 譚大人收好了。 you?譚嗣同望著他，猶豫不決地收下寶劍。 請大人接旨。榮慶再次拿起書桌上的密詔。 譚嗣同拿起密詔，細細看了一遍。當他意識到一場巨大的風暴即將來臨，一方面非常激動和緊張，另一方面也有種說不出的擔心，擔心皇上會看錯袁世凱這個人。 譚大人！信也在你，不信也在你！如果皇上看錯了人，你就把我綁到兵馬司出首！榮慶見對方鎖緊雙眉不說話，心想難道這些當文官的都這個德行，遇什麼事兒都不急不慢，三拳打不出個屁來。 說得好，譚嗣同打量著對方，你難道不怕死？ 人活百歲，總有一死！ good man!譚某失禮了。譚嗣同向榮慶抱拳施禮，終於確信他是光緒派出的信使，榮慶連忙說，這會兒咱們可沒工夫了。讓譚嗣同趕緊拿主意。譚嗣同告訴他，說袁世凱人在北京，今晚上就去見他。 我陪您一塊兒去見袁大人！榮慶說。 good!人心不死，大清國中興有望！榮大人，您受我一拜！譚嗣同面向榮慶深深一拜。 榮慶與譚嗣同乘一輛馬拉轎車，俗稱藍呢後檔車向法華寺趕去。 法華寺原是北京東城郊一座香火旺盛的大廟，先皇咸豐在世時，西方列強攻入北京，在這兒放了一把大火，從此這兒便衰敗了，眼下，這座廟已被袁世凱的新軍所徵用。因為這兒是天津和北京必經之路，加上袁世凱的軍隊駐在天津小站，他將這兒當作與北京的聯絡地點，他來北京辦事也自然住在這兒。榮慶與譚嗣同趕到法華寺，天已經黑透了。守在門外的新軍一見譚嗣同亮出軍機處腰牌，立即報到值班的副將那兒，副將看了譚嗣同的帖子，知道他就是眼下最紅的四位小軍機之一，自然不敢怠慢，立即讓譚，榮二位進了大門邊的值房休息，親自去向袁世凱通報。 袁世凱正在臥室裡秉燭讀書，聽副將來報軍機處章京譚嗣同在門外求見，心裡頓生疑慮。心想自己與這位小軍機素無來往，深夜過訪，其中必定有什麼重要事情，譚嗣同是皇上身邊新黨中的骨幹，本該立即請他進來，按副官說的那樣，跟他交個朋友嘛，都是用的著的人。但想到眼下時局非常微妙，帝后兩黨劍拔弩張，北京不比天津小站，棋錯一步滿盤輸，想來想去覺得多一事不如少一事。最後他向自己副官揮揮手，讓他擋駕不見。 對不住二位大人，袁大人睡下了。剛吃過安眠藥。副將進了值房，向譚，榮二位表示歉意。 睡下也請他起來，勞駕。譚嗣同堅持要立即見袁世凱。 我們大人的脾氣副官露出為難的表情。 你只管傳我的話，有什麼事我替你擔當。 大人吃了安眠藥，恐怕叫不醒 你告訴袁大人。榮慶急了，走到副將面前，說譚大人有聖旨在身，見也得見，不見也得見！ 一聽有聖旨，副官慌忙轉身跑了，來到袁世凱下榻的東廂房。袁世凱聽說有聖旨，心裡一愣，當下問他們來了多少人，當他聽說連同譚大人和榮慶總共只有兩個人，心裡覺得不對勁，認為不合傳旨的規矩。 如果是假的，是不是抓起來？asked the adjutant. 既不抓，也不接。袁世凱沉吟片刻，這種時候他不能冒得罪任何一方的危險，因此最好的辦法就是將來人打發走。 譚大人，卑職叫了，叫不醒。副將匆匆回到值房，一定要他們離開。 看來得我親自去叫。看來已無理可講了。譚嗣同火了，搶上一步出了值房門，向袁世凱下榻處走去。 營中自有軍規，你等不得擅越！副將連忙追出去，攔住譚嗣同。門外幾名新軍也聞聲衝過來，榮慶衝上前，伸手抓住副官，不等對方摸槍，榮慶已經掏出手槍指著他腦袋，厲聲喝道： 這是皇上賞的，兄弟，你就當是尚方寶劍吧！ 副官無奈，知道來人非同尋常，只得揮揮手，命令手下新軍讓譚嗣同進了東廂房外的大殿。 譚嗣同大步進了東廂房，只見袁世凱身穿箭衣坐在床沿，顯然副官說他已經睡下是一種搪塞。對此，譚嗣同心裡甚為不滿，但考慮眼下時局，他也不得不提防，就像他來這兒之前，對榮慶也心存疑惑一樣。不過，他深信，只要當面見到袁世凱，打消他的疑慮，他一定會站在皇上這邊的，袁世凱不但參加過支持皇上新政的強學會，而且捐過銀子，加上他所訓練的北洋新軍，與洋人、洋務接觸頻繁，對光緒在朝廷革舊布新、富國強兵的國策會由衷地贊成，否則皇上也不會於危急中寄希望於他的。 儘管袁世凱對譚嗣同突然闖進臥室非常吃驚，其實他心裡早有預感，譚大人帶來了他既想看見又怕看見的聖旨，那天皇上在養心殿召見他時說的那些話絕非一般的玩笑話。對此，他感到受寵若驚，因為有朝一日他能借助皇上的重用，成為朝廷的棟樑。另一方面，他也覺得說不出的恐懼，擔心皇上對手實力太大，一旦事發不成，他將會人頭落地，家破人亡。所以他希望皇上說的那一天盡可能晚一點出現，也許那時他會擁有更大的實力。但此刻，這一天卻大大出乎意料地提前來到了。 譚嗣同和袁世凱都聽說過對方的名字，但卻是頭一次，在這種非同尋常的情況下見面。他們互相注視著對方，一面揣摸對方的心思，一邊穩住自己的情緒，譚大人！袁世凱穩住神，從床前站起，友好地向譚嗣同走過去。 袁侍郎。譚嗣同打量著這位三十九歲的新軍首領，在他那保養得很好的臉上看到一絲游疑的笑意，贏得對方的好感，他先抬舉起對方，一向無緣識荊，今天一見，果然丰采不凡吶。 譚嗣同坦然一笑，顯然對方被他的笑容所打動，也開懷大笑。儘管兩人第一次見面，卻像老熟人似的在茶几邊聊起來。由個人瑣事談及朝廷大事，從強學會說到新政，由譚嗣同在湖南辦學說到袁世凱在小站訓練新軍等等，兩人越談越投機，一致認為，當今中國已病入膏肓，新政是唯一起死回生的辦法。袁世凱接旨！譚嗣同見時機成熟，當即從椅子上站起，袁世凱心裡一沉，立刻跪下，譚嗣同鄭重地從懷裡取出密詔，遞給對方。 這是皇上派人祕密帶出來的衣帶詔，請袁大人默讀。 袁世凱跪在地下，接過密詔，認真讀著。他越讀越感到情勢危急，正如自己先前所擔心的那樣，皇上說的那一天已經到了。他將聖旨一連看了兩遍，然後站在那兒沉吟不語。 大清國的生死存亡，四百兆黎民的浮沉，全都在此一舉。皇上正在等著袁侍郎的決斷！ 譚大人，袁世凱舉著手上的密詔，密詔上並沒有點兄弟的名字呀。 邊角上寫著速送譚嗣同，曉諭袁世凱。 聖旨兄弟也見過幾道，應該是硃筆，可是這道密詔是墨筆寫的。 你懷疑我假傳聖旨？ 言重了。袁世凱笑笑說，不怕譚大人在意，你我素昧平生，從無交往，今天頭一回見面兒，您就出這麼大的題目。你想想，這事要擱在您身上，您信嗎？ 譚嗣同雖說一再強調，現在是非常時刻，唯有以非常手段處置、但他不得不承認袁世凱的疑慮是非常合乎情理的。袁世凱見對方沉默不語，便說如果詔書是真的，皇上明天召見兄弟的時候，可以當面宣詔，至於今晚上的事，就算沒這回事兒。 譚大人，您也沒來過，咱們也沒見過。您請吧！ 袁世凱！這麼說，難道皇上看錯了人？譚嗣同沒想到對方會下逐客令，瞪起兩眼，不甘心地站在那兒。 譚大人，客氣點，就憑你假傳聖旨，我就能把你抓起來！ please.譚嗣同當即取出匕首，持起衣袖，好哇，縱觀世界各國，沒有不流血而變法成功的。大清國變法的第一滴血，就從譚嗣同身上取吧！ etc.袁世凱見譚嗣同拔出匕首，欲割手腕，連忙上前攔住，譚大人不說還有一位宮中侍衛隨你一起來的，為什麼不讓他進來作證？ Damn it!我幾乎忘了這事。譚嗣同猛地拍著腦門，轉身叫著門外的榮慶，榮慶與袁世凱的副官正在門外等候，聽見譚嗣同叫他，立即推門走進，副官不放心，緊跟著榮慶一起走進東廂房。榮慶一進門，袁世凱便認出他是光緒皇上身邊的侍衛，為了讓他倆認識，皇上特意介紹他們見了面，後來又安排他押送進貢的汽車，隨袁世凱一塊進頤和園。 袁大人！榮慶抱拳行禮。 榮大人！袁世凱雙手抓住榮慶的手，長長地鬆了一口氣，怎麼不早進來？差點錯怪了譚大人。 譚嗣同笑笑，心裡埋怨自己不該忘了這茬事。榮慶是皇上貼身侍衛，又與袁世凱見過面，早該讓他一塊兒進來面見袁世凱，就不會生出剛才的誤會。袁世凱一邊招呼榮慶，一邊叫副官出去，副官見他們認識，知道有要緊事，連忙退出。袁世凱特意走過去，關上房門，插上門栓，然後走到譚嗣同面前，深深抱拳作揖： 譚大人，恕袁某剛才失禮了。你放心，營救皇上，袁某萬死不辭！ 不怕我訛你？譚嗣同心裡一塊石頭終於落下，半開玩笑地說。 榮侍衛在，聖旨就是真的！袁世凱拉起榮慶手，沉吟片刻，對他們說，他將連夜趕回小站，三日之內發兵北京，解皇上之難。 good!袁大人快人快語。譚嗣同高興地拱手還禮。 三人同心，黃土變金。袁某不才，為表奉詔救主的決心，願和二位結為金蘭之好！ 譚嗣同心中一動，心想光緒果然沒有看錯袁世凱，此乃大清國之幸事，他顯然被袁世凱的決心和真誠所打動，連聲說好。榮慶見袁世凱如此慷慨激昂，想到只要他一發兵，自己便是救駕的功臣，他與吟兒成婚的事便成為定局，心裡激動得不行，當即第一個跪下。一見他先跪了，譚嗣同和袁世凱也慌忙跪下，當下拜了天地，並按年紀大小分序長幼。袁世凱最長，為老大。譚嗣同三十三歲，為老二。榮慶才二十一，自然成了三弟。 從法華寺回到城裡，已經一更多天了，為了安全起見，榮慶與譚嗣同沒等進城便分了手。他跳下藍呢後檔車，吩咐車伕將譚大人直接送回瀏陽會館，自己則一路步行向家裡走去。 經過一天的奔波，特別是精神上的高度緊張，榮慶已經疲倦不堪，但心裡卻說不出的激動和興奮，特別想到再過幾天，袁大人發兵進京，將頤和園和紫禁城團團圍住，這天下便是皇上的。皇上與慈禧是一家人，娘兒倆，再鬧也鬧不到哪兒去，但那個瑞王卻頭一個跑不了。瑞王倒了，那小格格也就不敢再纏他了，更何況皇上將把吟兒賜婚給他，小格格一個罪臣之女，縱然想鬧也不敢啊！ 不過，不論怎麼說，瑞王也是有恩於他的，要不是對方保舉，他不可能進宮當差。進不了宮，自然也就接近不了皇上，成不了皇上的貼身侍衛。想到瑞王可能會坐牢從軍，甚至會掉腦袋，他心裡稍稍有些不安。不過一想到吟兒，他立即鐵了心。他在心裡寬慰自己，他已經救了瑞王家的傻兒子，也算是一報回一報，兩清了。為了吟兒，這是他唯一的選擇。一想到他與吟兒之間的事，他覺得就像做夢似的，幾乎不敢相信這一切是真的。 過去對做官他總覺得沒多大意思，可現在一想吟兒即將成為他的人，做官立即變得有些意思了。這不，母親辛苦一輩子，只不過是個三品夫人，吟兒父親比自己父親還不如，退休才正四品，而吟兒一嫁給自己就能當上從二品的官夫人，甚至還要更高。想到這兒，他心裡泛起一絲淡淡的甜意，覺得他不僅為了家族，更為了吟兒爭得了好大的面子。 走著走著，榮慶一拐彎便進了他們家那條胡同，遠遠瞅見家門口掛著那盞燈籠還亮著，這才突然想起他騙小格格說家裡請客的事，糟了！他知道小格格是個不好惹的主，要是她還守在大門口等自己，讓她撞見了，一定會鬧得天翻地覆，算了，今兒麻煩事夠多了，不能再惹她。想到這兒，榮慶慌忙轉身，想從後院悄悄翻牆頭進去。他剛剛轉身，小格格突然出現在他面前。 Honor!小格格衝到他面前，怒不可遏伸手扯著他衣服大叫，你死哪兒去了？ Little princess!我越是想躲越是撞上了，榮慶嚇得張口結舌。 你找野娘們兒了，找臭婊子了！小格格揪住他又撕又扯。 別鬧，別鬧，我都快累死了。 你幹嘛不死啊？小格格一邊打他一邊叫。 你先別鬧，聽我慢慢說，我辦的是大事榮慶好言好語哄著他，拉著她往胡同外走去，怕在這兒驚動了家裡人，事兒鬧得更大。 說，什麼大事？小格格被他一哄，信以為真，一邊跟他向胡同外走，一邊問，你要說不出，我非揭你皮！