Chapter 58 "Seeking a Marriage".
Silence fell over the dormitory.
Zhang Yuhuai stared at Ji Chengnin for a long time. The latter's eyes were clear and focused, without any malice. He was actually serious.
He suddenly smiled.
Ji Chengning was puzzled by his laughter, thinking that Zhang Yuhuai had been cooped up in his room for too long and had lost his mind. "What's wrong?"
Zhang Yuhuai just laughed, the scar on his lips also rising with his movements, the hideous mark etched on his fair skin like silver lines left by a large porcelain vase. After a long while, he stopped laughing, shook his head and said, "I thought... never mind, it's nothing."
I thought you were here to kill me.
He thought.
When people feel injustice, they will cry out. Although he led the crowd to besiege the examination hall in order to cheat, he stirred up a commotion and severely humiliated the imperial court. Killing him would be entirely beneficial.
After he lost his usefulness, Ji Chengnin should have killed him.
But Ji Chengning didn't.
But in front of him, she earnestly asked him what his plans were for the future.
Zhang Yuhuai choked up, but his mind was extremely firm, and he showed no sign of disappointment on his face. He smiled and said, "I am a man who has been executed, and I am afraid it will be difficult for me to return to the imperial court."
Putting aside other factors, appearance is also one of the criteria for selecting officials. Officials don't have to be exceptionally beautiful, but at least they must have regular features and no disabilities.
Before he could finish speaking, he could feel Ji Chengnin's gaze fall on his face.
With a natural, tender gaze and a hint of inquiry, it traced the path inch by inch, lingering especially long over the scar.
The wound was healing and was already very sensitive. Being looked at like that by Ji Chengning made Zhang Yuhuai feel an itch on the corner of his lips.
It itches so badly it's unbearable.
Zhang Yuhuai subconsciously raised his hand to cover the wound, "Sir?"
Ji Chengning then looked away. “The wound isn’t deep,” he said, touching the corner of his lips. “It might not leave a scar. Chen Jian has some scar removal ointment. I’ve used it before, and it worked very well. I’ll ask him for a few boxes for you.”
Zhang Yuhuai was taken aback by this answer and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Thank you, sir."
Ji Chengning waved his hand.
Zhang Yuhuai was silent for a few seconds, then said, "But the capital is out of reach, and I have no heart for the court anymore."
After more than a decade of diligent study, Zhang Yuhuai had been eagerly anticipating entering officialdom and harboring fantasies about the court he had never set foot in.
However, a case of cheating and a prison sentence are enough to shatter the illusions of all wise rulers and enlightened ministers.
Only at this moment did a hint of sadness appear on the face of the man who had been smiling all along.
Disheartened.
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Ji Chengnin said no more.
Zhang Yuhuai smiled slightly and said, "I want to go to the Northwest. As a scholar, I am certainly not qualified to fight on the battlefield, but even if I can teach the children of local military households, I will not have lived in vain."
Ji Chengning was surprised that Zhang Yuhuai wanted to go to the border. After a few seconds of silence, he smiled and said, "I understand. You don't need to worry about the document and the document. I'll take care of everything."
Zhang Yuhuai's eyes welled up with tears, and he suddenly took a big step back and bowed down.
He solemnly said, "Your kindness to me is like a second birth. If you ever need my help in the future, I will do my utmost."
Ji Chengning stared in shock, then grabbed him and lifted him up.
A hint of confusion flashed in Zhang Yuhuai's eyes, but when he met Ji Chengning's lingering fearful expression, he suddenly understood and burst out laughing.
Ji Chengnin closed his eyes briefly. "I understand Young Master Zhang's kindness, but there's no need for such a grand gesture."
Zhang Yuhuai nodded with a smile, then said seriously, "I have heard the rumors outside." He sighed softly, "I admire you greatly for your integrity in governing and your fearlessness in the face of gossip. However, as history shows, those who are too sharp and outspoken will inevitably be crushed by the wind. I urge you to take care of yourself."
Ji Chengning understood Zhang Yuhuai's meaning.
He has offended four or five out of ten prominent families in the capital this time. If he doesn't restrain himself, he might lose the emperor's favor in the future, and it's hard to say what his fate will be.
But the young man didn't take it to heart, saying, "Life is fleeting, like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall. If one cannot follow one's heart, what is the point?"
Zhang Yuhuai hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Ji Chengnin patted his shoulder. “I understand Zhang Langjun’s good intentions, there’s no need to worry about me,” he laughed, the young man’s spirits shining brighter than the sun. “Even a scourge can live a thousand years.”
Zhang Yuhuai was stunned for a few seconds.
A gentleman is gentle and refined like jade, but the young Marquis Ji in front of me is clearly not a lustrous piece of jade.
Instead, it was a dazzling, extravagantly beautiful golden knife.
He couldn't help but smile.
The two exchanged a few more words, and Zhang Yuhuai said he was going home tonight before saying goodbye.
Ji Chengning slowly emerged from his quarters, intending to leave directly, but his steps suddenly faltered as he passed the main hall.
He turned his head.
A tall, slender figure stood before the altar, shaking a divination stick. The figure was draped in a seven-jeweled veil, making him indistinct and unable to make out his features.
Ji Chengnin narrowed his eyes.
She resembled his cousin in figure, but her clothes were clearly in a woman's style.
His thoughts suddenly stopped.
My cousin is a woman!
...
At this moment, inside the Imperial Study.
"I believe that the examination questions should be sealed in a treasure box after Your Majesty has received them, and the key..."
Zhou Zhuo was in the inner room, casually flipping through a book while listening to the conversation in a disjointed manner.
The Imperial Study was separated from the outside by only two screens made of golden nanmu wood. Therefore, the Minister of Rites, who was reporting to the Emperor about the imperial examination, could vaguely see the Second Prince waiting on the other side, so he spoke faster than usual.
But he wanted to finish speaking as soon as possible, and it took quite a while to finalize all the details, which earned him a casual compliment from the emperor: "Well done."
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's excellent teaching; I dare not take credit for it."
After exchanging greetings, they withdrew.
Zhou Zhuo hesitated for a few seconds, then quickly walked around the screen and stepped forward.
The emperor was standing by the window, gazing thoughtfully out at something.
Zhou Zhuo, unsure of his father's thoughts, bowed respectfully, "Father."
The emperor's gaze slowly fell upon him, his tone very gentle, "Have you been waiting long?"
"Your Majesty, I have benefited greatly from listening to Your Majesty govern, and I do not feel anxious at all."
The emperor smiled.
The gaze naturally slid down from the top of Zhou Zhuo's head.
To be fair, he admired the child's appearance. He resembled him, but not as much as the Crown Prince. The child had a touch of heroic spirit that he lacked.
Yes, the emperor often saw the ambition and arrogance in the Marquis of Yongning when he was young.
Zhou Zhu knelt on the ground, bewildered, his heart pounding like a drum.
The emperor's smiling gaze suddenly froze.
What a pity, what a pity.
"Look up," the emperor said calmly.
Zhou Zhuo hesitated before looking up.
The emperor raised his hand and slapped him across the face.
"Smack!"
The crisp sound instantly echoed throughout the Imperial Study.
Caught off guard, Zhou Zhuo was struck by the emperor and lost his balance, uncontrollably leaning to the side.
His eyes widened suddenly, his face burning with pain, but more than the pain, he felt shame and fear.
Zhou Zhu knelt down hastily, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Why did Your Majesty hit him? What does Your Majesty know?
Could it be that his plot with Ji Chengnin has been exposed? Then why didn't His Majesty punish Ji Chengnin, but instead summoned him first? Could it be that Ji Chengnin has slandered him to His Majesty?
Without time to think, he said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. If I have committed a grave error, please punish me. I will not hesitate. But Your Majesty, please do not be angry with me. If I harm your health, I will not be able to atone for it even if I die a hundred times!"
The emperor lowered his hand and looked expressionlessly at his son kneeling on the ground, who seemed terrified and helpless, yet completely unaware.
pity.
The emperor thought to himself.
Unfortunately, Heaven was unkind, giving him a healthy body so he wouldn't be weak and sickly and have to take medicine for the rest of his life, but forgetting to give him a brain!
"Swish—"
It was the sound of fabric rubbing together.
Zhou Zhuo opened his eyes wide. He didn't dare to look up, but he saw the magnificent hem of the dragon robe brush against the back of his hand.
The emperor slowly walked to the desk.
He spoke, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, "Idiot."
Zhou Zhuo felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and even his teeth were uncontrollably chattering.
He crawled forward in a panic, saying, "If the emperor commands me to die, I will accept it without complaint. But please, Father, let me die knowing why..." Before he could finish speaking, tears streamed down his face.
Upon hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
The sound reached Zhou Zhuo's ears, causing him to tremble.
"Smack."
The two memorials were thrown at his face, making his broken lip ache.
“Look for yourself,” the emperor said, looking down at him. “Do you think I knew nothing about all the good things you’ve done?”
Zhou Zhuo's hands trembled as he flipped open one of the documents, frantically scanning it. He saw that it was an impeachment against him for taking a vacant position in the Ministry of Revenue and having a private deal with Ji Chengning, exchanging official rank for personal gain. After all, the father of that brainless prince was his father-in-law.
They cheated openly and honestly, not even bothering to hide it.
Zhou Zhuo's voice was trembling with tears: "Your subject, your subject is innocent! The censor was only reporting based on hearsay. Please allow your subject to explain. Bring the young Marquis Ji here for a confrontation. He will know immediately that your subject has no personal relationship with him and would never dare to use his official position to do favors. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"
The emperor laughed.
He had no idea that the imperial court had become Zhou Zhuo's private property.
Zhou Zhuo grew increasingly terrified, only to hear his father slowly say, "Continue watching."
Zhou Zhuo hurriedly opened the second memorial.
I skimmed through it, my eyes widening instantly.
How could anyone know about this...? The person who impeached him... He looked at the name with trembling eyes. Was it someone from the Crown Prince's faction? No, not the Crown Prince's, but someone from the Third Prince's faction!
His hand trembled.
Interspersed among the memorials, coarse paper serving as evidence drifted down.
It landed right next to his legs.
The piece of paper was about the size of a palm, and it was damaged in the very center.
It looks like a piece of paper money.
When the emperor saw him holding the memorial with an incredulous expression, he was already convinced that it was indeed true.
He couldn't help but curl his lips and sneered, "Zhuo'er, on the one hand you pretend to conspire with Ji Chengning, and on the other hand you send people to spread rumors under the guise of candidates to put pressure on Ji Chengning. Let me think, are you dreaming that Ji Chengning will abandon the Crown Prince and side with you?"
This is a statement that strikes at the heart.
Zhou Zhuo was terrified and kowtowed heavily, "Your subject dares not, Your subject has been wronged!"
The emperor coldly glanced at the second memorial held in Zhou Zhuo's arms. The evidence was conclusive, with witnesses and physical evidence present. Everything was written clearly and plainly. The memorial was not in defense of Ji Chengning, but rather stated that the second prince had lost his moral character, mingled with troublesome students, and slandered court officials.
However, when the memorial impeaching Zhou Zhuo for trying to win over Ji Chengning is placed alongside this memorial, it becomes exceptionally interesting.
The ambition of a wolf can be seen at a glance.
"Good boy," the emperor called him affectionately, but Zhou Zhuo shivered at the sound, "Only you, Prince Kang, are a smart man in this world. All the other mortals are fools." He asked gently, "Don't you think so?"
Zhou Zhu kowtowed repeatedly, choking back tears, and said, "Your Majesty, I am truly innocent."
Seeing that he stubbornly refused to admit it, the last trace of a smile on the emperor's face disappeared, replaced by the indifference and impatience of a ruler looking at his disappointing subject. He shook his head.
The next second, the tone suddenly turned cold, "Prince Kang, Zhou Zhuo, has privately made friends with foreign officials, abused his power for personal gain, and framed court officials. He is hereby stripped of his princely title and sent back to his residence to reflect on his mistakes."
Zhou Zhuo suddenly looked up.
How could Father be so cruel!
Zhou Zhuo trembled upon meeting the emperor's cold gaze, but still raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am indeed wrong, but please do not tarnish the imperial family's reputation for my sake."
The emperor laughed, "You don't have that much ability."
The cheek that had just been slapped was getting hotter and hotter, and was getting more and more painful.
"Therefore, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, as you claim, I want you to plead guilty yourself. Say that you have failed in your conduct and request to have your title revoked. This way, the royal family's reputation will be preserved, and I won't be put in a difficult position," the emperor smiled, but there was no smile in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Zhuo. "What do you say?"
Zhou Zhu stared blankly at the emperor.
For a moment, he could neither hear nor feel anything; only the pain on his face showed that he was still alive.
The title he had fought so hard for vanished in an instant; how could he accept that?
Zhou Yan, Ji Chengnin...!
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he felt as if he had swallowed a knife whole, the taste of blood rising instantly to his head.
He kowtowed, "Yes, Your Majesty," his voice was extremely hoarse, "Your Majesty obeys the decree."
...
Ji Chengning has been spending time with Cui Yao lately, and Cui Yao always dresses in men's clothing, to the point that Ji Chengning has almost forgotten that Cui Yao is his cousin, not his brother. Feeling a surge of flirting interest, he quickly stepped forward.
He leaned over Cui Yao's shoulder, appearing intimate and casual, and asked, "What wish is Miss making?"
The scent of ambergris wafted towards Ji Chengnin as he approached.
Cui Yao opened her mouth and silently swallowed a bit of the rich fragrance.
But he lowered his head, seemingly unconcerned about this frivolous young man, and softly replied, "I seek a marriage."
"Oh—" Ji Chengnin was somewhat surprised.
Ah Yao is actually seeking a marriage partner?
But then he thought that considering their ages, it was already late for them not to be married yet. He was only surprised for a moment before he laughed and asked, "What was the result?"
His tone was as always, with that nonchalant smile that Cui Yao both loved and hated to hear most.
Cui Yao's hand holding the lottery ticket tightened for a moment.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he put the divination stick back and sighed, "Perhaps it is because my heart is not sincere and the gods do not pity me. I am also plain-looking and of ordinary family background, so it is natural that I will have difficulty finding a good marriage."
Ji Chengning raised an eyebrow. "That's because Zhong Du's slips were inaccurate."
After speaking, without waiting for Cui Yao to reply, he took the divination stick container himself, picked and chose one from it.
"Here you are." He handed it to Cui Yao.
Cui Yao lowered her eyes and saw two vermilion characters engraved on the front of the gold-inlaid token: "Great Fortune".
This was the first time Cui Yao had ever seen someone draw lots like this.
No, it's not about drawing lots. The young marquis's attitude doesn't require any "drawing" at all. He can openly and legitimately take whatever he wants, such as the most auspicious lot.
Cui Yao's eyes crinkled with amusement as she deliberately asked, "Didn't the young master just say that the divination was inaccurate?"
“No, it’s not allowed,” Ji Chengnin said matter-of-factly, “but it’s allowed because I touched it.” He curled his lips and gave his cousin a very handsome smile, “Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are up to people.” He picked up the amber pendant on the veil and flicked it casually, “Cousin, let’s go.”
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