Chapter 85 [85] The road is so difficult!

【85】/First release

After the third day's medicine was changed and the gauze was removed, Yun Ran and Sima Jing were ready to return home.

On the eve of departure, the family finally had dinner together.

But at the dinner table, Yun Ran noticed that her fourth brother kept glancing at her, as if hesitant to speak.

Yun Ran felt strange: "Is there something dirty on my face?"

Just as Yun Shang was about to speak, Yun Rui stuffed a pig's trotter into his mouth and said, "You have to run around again tomorrow. Eat more to replenish your strength."

Yunshang: “…”

Yun Ran was puzzled. Her second sister-in-law, who was sitting on her left, gave her a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs. "You're fine. There's nothing on your face. Maybe Silang hasn't seen you in a few days and he missed you."

After hearing this, Yun Ran realized that ever since she came to her second brother's house, she had been hanging out with Sima Jing in the Bamboo Garden all day long. Not to mention seeing her fourth brother, she didn't even have time to chat with her second sister-in-law.

He is so depraved and cares too much about his body and neglects his brother and sister-in-law!

But it's not entirely her fault.

It is true that after the reunion, Sima Jing became a thousand times more clingy than before.

Every time Yun Ran urged him to find something else to do, he would look at her with a gloomy gaze, like a resentful husband who had been toyed with and abandoned by a heartless woman: "Now that you have it, you don't cherish it anymore? You said you liked it yesterday, but today you're already impatient?"

Yun Ran was completely at his wit's end and could only coax her, "Okay, okay, I'll stay with you, okay?"

However, he had to return to Beijing tomorrow, so after dinner, Yun Ran still found an opportunity to chat with his second sister-in-law.

Sima Jing was not idle either, and invited Yun Rui to his study to play chess.

Yun Ran guessed that he might have something to discuss with his second brother, so he didn't ask much. He just relaxed and chatted with his second sister-in-law about the recent situation at home in Chang'an.

Among them, what Lu Lingzhen was most concerned about was Qian Sijin's pregnancy.

"I really envy her. She'll be having a baby in two months."

Thinking of the third wife, a handsome and suave man who had won the imperial examination, and a beautiful woman as gorgeous as a peony, Lu Lingzhen's eyes were full of anticipation: "Whether it's a boy or a girl, the appearance will definitely be good!"

Yun Ran was also full of anticipation for the upcoming birth of her little nephew. She smiled and said, "Third sister-in-law said that she wants both sons and daughters, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl. Whichever one is born this time, we'll have that one next time."

Lu Lingzhen: "That's great."

While sighing, he lowered his head and glanced at his slender waist.

Seeing this, Yun Ran also realized that his second brother and second sister-in-law got married a year earlier than his third brother and third sister-in-law. Now, his eldest sister-in-law's son, A Zong, can walk around the streets, and his third sister-in-law's son will have a baby in two months. It's just that his second sister-in-law is stuck in the middle, with nothing to show for it.

Even if no one urged her, she would probably be anxious.

"Second sister-in-law, when the time comes for children to come, they will come naturally."

Yun Ran thought for a moment and then said, "When you have free time, recite the Bixia Yuanjun Mantra more often and let Grandma Taishan bless you to have a happy marriage soon."

As she spoke, she taught Lu Lingzhen the Bixia Yuanjun Mantra and also recited a number of Taoist prayers for children.

Lu Lingzhen was not a believer in ghosts and gods, but she was far away in Yuzhou and had heard of her sister-in-law's good deeds and reputation in Chang'an. Now she was eager to have a child, and unconsciously followed Qian Sijin's logic of "who cares about Taoism or Buddhism, as long as it works, it means it is a good immortal." She decided to chant the mantra for praying for a child and worship the Taishan Goddess every morning and evening from now on.

The next day, the fragrant breeze relieved the anger and the sky became clear.

After Yun Ran said goodbye to Yun Rui and his wife, he boarded the carriage back to Beijing.

There were two ordinary carriages with green curtains, one for Yun Ran and Sima Jing, and one for Yun Shang and Geng Dong.

Yun Shang didn’t like riding in carriages before, as he felt that they were cramped and stuffy, and far less comfortable than riding a horse.

But since he went out with Yun Ran, not only were his buttocks rubbed hot, but he also got a big tan. On the way back, he didn't mention riding again and got into the car very consciously.

The carriage returned to Chang'an at a leisurely pace, taking nearly half a month.

When Yun Ran was bored sitting in the car, he would sit cross-legged and recite scriptures——

When she was a little Taoist nun, she chanted scriptures in the Taoist temple, mostly praying for good weather and peace in the world.

After entering the world, he chanted sutras, not only to pray for the world, but also for himself, his family, Sima Jing, Fudou'er, and the snakes in Liuxianyuan...

This time there is one more thing, which is to pray for a child for my second sister-in-law.

I was so busy with work that I couldn't stop reading one paragraph after another.

The doctor told Sima Jing to take good care of his injuries and not to stress himself, so he did not read a book along the way. He just leaned on the pillow and closed his eyes to rest.

For a moment, the only sounds in the carriage were the rumbling of the wheels and Yun Ran's muttering of scriptures.

Hearing the scriptures she had just recited, Sima Jing remained calm and composed, not moving at all.

After hearing her recite several times "The spirits of heaven and earth, the rain turns into people, the weather drops, and an object takes shape", Sima Jing couldn't help but open his eyes.

Although he was not familiar with Taoist scriptures and spells, why did this spell sound like... praying for a child?

Yun Ran sat upright with a pious look on his face, and recited it forty-nine times before finally stopping.

She exhaled slowly and was about to drink a cup of tea. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the man beside her with a serious expression, his dark eyes staring at her without blinking.

Yun Ran was suddenly startled. "Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that? Did I disturb you?"

Sima Jing's thin lips moved slightly: "No."

He picked up the kettle, poured Yun Ran a cup of tea and handed it to her.

Yun Ran thanked him, took the teacup and drank it all. Just as he was about to add more tea, Sima Jing picked up the kettle and filled it for him.

Seeing him so polite and considerate, Yun Ran couldn't help but look at him again.

She drank three cups of tea in a row before she quenched her thirst. She was just drinking the fourth cup to moisten her throat when the man next to her suddenly asked, "Do you want to get pregnant?"

The conversation jumped out too quickly, and Yun Ran's mind hadn't yet reacted. She looked at him in confusion: "What are you pregnant with?"

Sima Jing glanced at her grass-green embroidered belt and pursed his lips: "Child."

Yun Ran: “……?”

"Cough, cough cough!"

She almost choked on the water that had just entered her throat. Her face flushed red as she stammered, "No way!"

Sima Jing: “…”

He took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, then rubbed her back: "If you don't want it, then don't. Why bother?"

"Well, I'm not nervous..."

Yun Ran took a deep breath and looked at the man's serious face again: "I'm just surprised. Why did you suddenly mention this?"

Sima Jing lowered his eyes and asked, "Weren't you just reciting the sutra for praying for a child?"

“So that’s why.”

Yun Ran suddenly realized and laughed, "It's true that I was chanting the mantra to pray for a child, but I wasn't praying for myself. I was praying for my second sister-in-law. Now my eldest and third sisters-in-law all have children, and she's the only one among the sisters-in-law who hasn't received any good news. She must be a little anxious. I can't help with anything else, but chanting the mantra is enough."

Sima Jing: "So that's how it is."

After saying that, he said no more.

Yun Ran originally wanted to laugh at him, but when the words came to her lips, she swallowed them when she saw his silent and thoughtful look.

Why isn't he talking?

Disappointed?

Or were you unhappy because of her "No way"?

Yun Ran turned slightly to the side and hooked the back of his hand with her little finger, "Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"

Sima Jing held her hand and played with it nonchalantly: "Nothing."

Yun Ran: “…”

I don't believe it.

She knew Sima Jing's taciturn personality too well, and he must be hiding something on his mind.

She was the type of person who "finished things today and wouldn't let misunderstandings linger overnight," so she calmed herself down a bit and said seriously, "When I said no, I meant it was too early to have a child, not that I didn't want to have one with you."

"The book says that it's bad for a woman's health if she gets pregnant too early."

Moreover, she herself was still growing up, and with the love of her father, mother, brother and sister-in-law, she sometimes felt that she was still a child.

She was not ready for a baby, either physically or mentally.

Seeing her explanation, Sima Jing squeezed her hand and said, "I know, there's no need to rush to get pregnant."

Yun Ran looked at him and asked, "Then why did you suddenly look so serious?"

Sima Jing: "Is there?"

Yun Ran: “Yes!”

Sima Jing: "...Maybe if I don't make any expression, I'll look serious."

Upon hearing this, Yun Ran looked at Sima Jing carefully and agreed with what he said.

This person has a beautiful face like a crabapple, but when he is silent, he shows an arrogant and cold look that keeps people at a distance.

But once she smiles, even if it's just a slight smile, she is like a willow in spring swaying in the waves, captivating and stirring the heart.

"But I did misunderstand just now. I thought you were pregnant."

Sima Jing looked at her and said, "If you want to get pregnant, I will stop taking the contraceptive medicine."

After a pause, "But it would be better if it were a few years later."

She was still too young. The first few times he held her in his arms and made love with her, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt as he looked at her delicate and petite body under him.

This time when I saw her again after half a year, she had grown an inch taller and the baby fat on her face had faded a little, and she looked much better.

Although her chubby face is also very cute, Sima Jing is more looking forward to accompanying her as she grows taller and more mature.

Yun Ran was shocked that Sima Jing was actually taking contraceptive pills.

"Where did you get the contraceptive pills? How long have you been taking them? Is it reliable? Will it harm your body? Why didn't you tell me before?"

A series of questions came out like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube, crackling.

Sima Jing also answered patiently: "Except for the first day of the new year, I didn't prepare it. I ate it every day after that."

"I've had the imperial physician look at this prescription, and it's relatively mildly toxic, so it won't cause any problems." "I haven't had time to prepare it these past two days."

He pursed his lips and slowly placed his large palm over Yun Ran's lower abdomen: "But I made a special effort to not leave any traces inside, so it should be fine."

Yun Ran was shocked and embarrassed for a moment.

She was surprised that he had considered the issue of offspring so early on, and embarrassed by his deliberate avoidance in the past two days. She still thought he had bad intentions and was teasing her on purpose, which was why he always got into trouble with her.

After all, it happened in broad daylight in a carriage, and she felt embarrassed to mention it.

With a blushing face, she closed her eyes and relaxed for a long time before she spoke again: "Medicine is three parts poison. Don't take it even if the poison is not so serious."

Sima Jing looked at the red tips of her ears and asked, "What if you don't eat and get pregnant?"

Yun Ran was startled and frowned.

After a moment, she looked up at him and said, "Then let's be pure and abstain from desire and do that less often. Even if we do, you... you won't stay inside?"

When she spoke the last few words, her voice became softer and her ears became redder.

Contraception is indeed a big issue.

If Sima Jing hadn't mentioned it, she would have been confused and had never thought about it at all.

"You owe me more than a hundred times, don't even think about getting out of your debt."

Sima Jing looked at her: "As for not staying in there..."

It's okay occasionally, but if it happens too often, it becomes risky.

"It's better to take medicine," he said.

Yun Ran firmly disagreed. Although she didn't know what the contraceptive pills for men were like, she had heard that the contraceptive pills for women were very harmful to the body. Some women used too much and it would affect their fertility in the future.

She just didn't want to get pregnant for the time being, and she still wanted to have a baby with Sima Jing in the future.

When it came to matters of love, Yun Ran immediately thought of her military advisor: "Wait until I get back and ask my third sister-in-law. She might have a solution."

"But before that, let's be aloof from desires for a while."

Sima Jing: “…”

Not really willing.

But that night, Yun Ran's menstrual period came. Even though she didn't want to, she had to be less sexual.

***

The temperature in summer is getting higher day by day, the trees are lush and green, and the daytime scenery is peaceful and tranquil.

When Yun Ran and his group returned to Chang'an, it was already midsummer in June.

The locust trees on both sides of Zhuque Street are covered with dense green shade, cicadas are chirping, and the people walking on the street have also changed into light and cool summer clothes.

Sima Jing and Geng Dong entered Chang'an smoothly as guards of the Yuzhou Schoolmaster's Mansion, carrying the household registration and travel permits prepared by Yun Rui.

In order to conceal their tracks, Geng Dong followed Yun Shang back to the Marquis of Changxin's Mansion, while Sima Jing followed Yun Ran back to Liuxian Garden in Prince Jing's Mansion.

Willow Fairy Garden is a forbidden area in Prince Jing's Mansion. Countless snakes live here. Apart from a young eunuch who occasionally comes to feed the snakes, everyone else avoids it.

It is the best hiding place.

Before coming, Yun Ran was worried that Liuxianyuan would be uninhabitable.

After arriving, Sima Jing took her to the main house of Liuxianyuan, which was the room where the big black snake was coiled on the beam. Walking inside, they found a different world.

A dormitory that is neither too big nor too small, equipped with tables, chairs, benches, beds and bedding.

"I will be in Liuxian Garden during the day, and when night falls, I will go to Zhanlu Hall to look for you."

Sima Jing looked at the little girl in his arms, who was tightly wrapped around his waist and neck, with her whole body hanging on him: "Or, you can stay here too?"

"No, no, no, you should come find me at night!"

Yun Ran buried her face tightly in the man's arms, not daring to look at the snakes that had become fully active after the Dragon Boat Festival.

She had already been frightened when they were hibernating, but now the snakes were full of energy, as if they sensed their owner had returned, and they were hissing and swimming around in the yard, on the pillars, and by the windows...

Especially the giant python named Dahei, which was coiled on her head, looking at her with its dark eyes wide open, as if with great interest.

Let alone asking her to stay here, even asking her to stay for a while would make her very nervous.

"It's getting late, so I'll leave first... You should also take a good rest."

Yun Ran's voice trembled: "See you tonight."

Sima Jing saw her fear and said comfortingly, "They have no ill intentions, they are just curious about you."

Yun Ran said nothing, just buried her face in his arms.

Seeing this, Sima Jing no longer forced her and took her into the inner room, then closed the door to keep the snakes out.

Even so, Yun Ran still lay on him and didn't dare to get down.

Fortunately, Sima Jing's shoulder injury had basically healed in the past half month, so he easily picked her up and even had his other hand free to pat her back and comfort her: "Okay, since you are scared, go back to Zhanlu Hall and rest."

He carried Yun Ran to a wall with paintings, slightly turned the incense burner on the side, and a secret door appeared with a "click".

Yun Ran was stunned and forgot what to do for a moment.

Until Sima Jing pinched the soft flesh on her waist and said: "If you don't want to go back, stay with me."

Yun Ran shuddered, then hurriedly got off him, but his legs were still weak. "Your Highness, I'll leave first?"

"Um."

Since they would meet again at night, Yun Ran didn't stay any longer and quickly left Liuxianyuan with her skirt lifted.

Sima Jing lives here. Not to mention that the people behind the scenes couldn't guess it, even if they guessed it, no one would dare to come in.

***

At this time, more than a month had passed since King Jing was assassinated. When the news spread, people in the court were in panic and the people were talking about it.

Since the beginning of spring, strange things have happened one after another in the royal family. First, the emperor had a hidden illness, the prince's bloodline was in doubt, and now the emperor's younger brother was assassinated.

Although it was announced to the public that its "whereabouts are unknown", it has not been found for such a long time since it fell into the river. Everyone speculated that it might have been eaten by fish until nothing was left.

At this moment, another rumor spread quietly.

"I heard that King Jing was actually killed by someone sent by the Emperor!"

"Oh, you can't say that!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? The late emperor had so many descendants, but since our Majesty ascended the throne, some were disabled, some died, and in the end, with the exception of King Jing who is far away in Rongdi, not a single one survived! How could such a coincidence happen in this world?"

"Prince Jing probably knew that Your Majesty was ruthless and merciless, so he had been hiding his incompetence all these years. Who would have thought that after so many years of keeping a low profile, he finally got an errand and never came back. Tsk tsk, how miserable."

"What you said is indeed strange, but Prince Jing is different from the other princes. He is your Majesty's biological brother. Would your Majesty be willing to kill him?"

"What kind of kinship can there be in the royal family? Besides, I heard that the late emperor left a will before his death, wanting to exchange King Jing for the Rongdi and let King Jing succeed to the throne!"

“Is this true?!”

"If it were fake, why would the emperor be so anxious to kill King Jing? Now that King Jing is dead, won't he be able to rest easy?"

Rumors are more ferocious than tigers, and soon they spread among the people in the market like a plague.

The matter of the late emperor's will became more and more serious.

Many veteran officials in the court recalled the sudden death of the late emperor. Although he had suffered a stroke and was paralyzed, he could have lived for a few more years with the help of herbal medicine. But he died suddenly in the cold night, with only the then-empress and the crown prince by his side.

Later, the queen became the queen mother and ruled the country from behind the curtain.

The prince became emperor and obeyed the orders of the empress dowager.

The mother and son acted decisively and cleaned up the previous dynasty and reorganized the harem, and gradually they achieved the peace and stability we have today.

It is undeniable that the emperor was diligent and wise, but an emperor who came to power in an illegitimate way, harmed his brothers and sisters, and was disloyal, unfilial, and unjust was bound to be criticized.

At the end of June, an old minister wrote a letter to the emperor, asking him to step up efforts to thoroughly investigate the assassination of Prince Jing, and asking the Dali Temple to re-investigate the cause of death of the three noble ladies who had arranged marriages with Prince Jing.

Emperor Wenxuan agreed to the first one.

Emperor Wenxuan angrily rejected the latter proposal, saying that the three noble ladies had already been buried and it was not right to reopen their tombs and disturb their souls.

But soon after the case was dismissed, the tomb of one of the noble ladies was robbed.

It was Wei, the daughter of Marquis Wu'an, who was the first to discuss marriage with King Jing.

The Wei girl had been dead for four years, her flesh and blood gone, leaving only bones. When everyone arrived, they saw the bones, blackened and spread all over her body.

The coroner's examination showed that the patient had been poisoned.

As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar in the court and the country. Marquis Wu'an knelt down and asked the emperor to thoroughly investigate the cause of his daughter's death.

The other two families were also shocked. One agreed to open the coffin for an autopsy, but the other refused, not wanting their daughter's body to be humiliated again.

This case caused a great uproar in Chang'an. Even though the murderer behind the scenes had not yet been identified, everyone tacitly believed that it was the emperor's doing.

In order to suppress King Jing, he killed three women in a row, and finally showed his true colors and killed King Jing directly.

Your methods are so vicious and your heart is so cruel, comparable to that of an animal. How can you be a king?

Throughout July, rumors were rampant and people were in a state of panic both inside and outside the government.

Emperor Wenxuan tried to suppress the rumors by force, but it was like adding more water to a boiling pot and was of no avail.

In Liuxian Garden, Sima Jing has been waiting for the person behind the scenes to reveal his cards.

But the rumors had spread so far, and yet the man still hadn't shown up. Even Yun Ran was getting anxious: "What is he waiting for? Or is he doing all this just to cause panic among the people and shake up the government?"

That's like taking off your pants to fart, isn't that crazy?

Sima Jing held the black chess piece in his hand, staring at the tense chess game in front of him with his thick brows furrowed.

The current situation is the most favorable opportunity for the person behind the scenes.

Opportunities are fleeting. If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to find such an opportunity again next time.

But what is that person waiting for?

"I see!"

A clear voice suddenly rang out. Sima Jing looked up and saw Yun Ran's eyes were clear and his face was serious. "Since ancient times, every rebellion has had a puppet. Has the person behind the scenes not found a suitable puppet yet?"

Sima Jing said nothing, just quietly looked at the princess sitting opposite him.

Yun Ran said, "I used to go to the market and listen to storytelling. Even if those treacherous and powerful ministers of the previous dynasties held great power and were only one step away from that position, they would always find an ignorant little emperor, or find a baby from the royal family to put on the throne... What's the saying? Oh, right, using the emperor to control the princes!"

"Their ambitions are known to the world, yet they still have to put on an act, waving the banner of benevolence and righteousness, saying things like supporting the royal family and upholding the orthodox bloodline."

Yun Ran thought it was quite ridiculous, but she had never been in that position, so she didn't comment much. She just continued along the same line of thought: "Normally, the person behind the scenes should have come up with a puppet and come out under the banner of upholding orthodoxy, but he didn't..."

"Because the previous emperor's lineage is almost extinct."

Sima Jing suddenly spoke, meeting Yun Ran's stunned gaze, and he curled the corners of his lips slightly: "I finally understand why those assassins had their disagreements."

The person behind the scenes wanted to keep him alive and use him as a puppet.

The Rongdi people, however, hoped that the Jin royal family would become as chaotic as possible, so that they could turn against him and kill him as soon as possible.

ridiculous.

Sima Jing scoffed, "Seeking the skin of a tiger is just like that."

"That person must be extremely anxious and angry at this moment."

The more Sima Jing thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed, especially since he knew so well the Rongdi people's brutality, shortsightedness, cunningness, greed, and unreliability.

The last rebel Zhou Haotian who colluded with the Rongdi was abandoned by the Rongdi, his bones were crushed to ashes, and all ten clans were wiped out.

I didn't expect that after so many years, another greedy and stupid person would come.

After hearing this, Yun Ran suddenly felt enlightened.

"It's true that those involved are confused, but those who are watching can see things clearly!"

She sighed, feeling troubled for the person behind the scenes. "Except for Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, there's really no one left of the late emperor's bloodline. Now it all depends on whether they plan to find a royal descendant, fabricate a lineage of the late emperor, or simply force the emperor to abdicate and allow the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."

"But the eldest prince's bloodline is already in doubt. If we help him take the throne now, wouldn't that be contradicting ourselves?"

The more Yun Ran analyzed, the more he understood why the other party was so slow to take action——

The road is so difficult!

Just when Sima Jing was about to watch the joke with a cold eye, Yun Ran suddenly said, "I have an idea!"

-----------------------

The author has something to say: Here it comes [Food]

It's almost at the end, and this chapter also drops a small red envelope~