13. Solitude
◎Gu Ningxi lowered her eyes and said nothing, watching their drooping hems almost touching.◎
"How's your chariot going?"
When His Royal Highness Prince Zhao asked, Xie Qian answered truthfully, "I have already gathered all the available wood, but the blueprints are still a little lacking."
His wooden chariot was mostly damaged, with two wheels missing. His Highness had already notified the craftsmen at the Ministry of the Imperial Household on his behalf, and he would deliver the items there when the time came. However, if they wanted to restore it to its original condition, they would first need to draw up a blueprint so the craftsmen could begin work.
Xie Qian sought out several artists, describing the chariot in detail from his memory. After days of back-and-forth, the drawings were never satisfactory. Finally, he found one that was barely 60% realistic, but the craftsmen looked hesitant when they received it. The drawing was too freehand, making it difficult to execute. The craftsmen hesitated to begin, fearing it would not meet the Marquis of Wu'an's liking.
Xie Qian only had this one precious chariot, so he was extremely careful, his tone tinged with worry. "I know it's going to be difficult to restore it to its original state, but I'll be satisfied if it's even 60% or 70% similar." His childhood memories were hazy, and he sighed, "I'll probably ask a few more painters to take a look."
He looked worried, and Lu Jing pointed the way for him: "Why don't you ask Yuan Le?"
"Master Gu?"
Lu Jing smiled faintly: "He is very good at painting."
Xie Qian perked up instantly. To be praised personally by His Highness, Lord Gu's painting skills must be exceptional. Furthermore, Lord Gu worked at the Ministry of Works and was familiar with the structure of objects, so perhaps he would be more comfortable than an ordinary painter.
"I'll be right there." Xie Qian couldn't sit still any longer. He bowed and hurriedly stood up to leave. "I'll take my leave."
Lu Jing let him go and opened the articles of the scholars recommended by Wei Fanxin. If there were any real talents and knowledge, they would be admitted to Prince Zhao's palace first.
After reading a few articles, Lu Jing circled the names of the two and sent a message to Sun Jing, asking them to meet him in the study in the palace tomorrow.
"I understand."
Lu Jing put down his pen and asked casually, "How are Huaicheng and Yuanle doing?"
Sun Jing laughed and said, "The Marquis has been wandering around the palace but hasn't found Lord Gu yet, so he's harnessing his horse to rush to the Ministry of Works."
The artisans at the training grounds mentioned that Lord Gu was confirming the target's location with them before lunch. However, within half an hour, Lord Gu was nowhere to be found in the palace. Perhaps he had returned to the Ministry of Works for some other matter.
Thinking of how the Marquis was asking around for information just now, Sun Jing found it amusing. The Marquis was always a man of decisive and resolute character.
Lu Jing said nothing. After reading the article for half a day, he stood up and walked in the garden without letting anyone follow him.
The sunlight is abundant, and the green leaves of the tree sway in the wind, sparkling with luster.
The east wing of Prince Zhao's Palace was not repaired by the Ministry of Works and it still retains its original appearance.
There is a stone staircase behind the rockery, winding its way up to a stone pavilion at the top. The scene inside the pavilion is not clear.
Lu Jing climbed up the stairs. The stone pavilion was the highest point of the palace, and he could overlook the entire palace.
There are about a dozen steps to the top of the mountain. The stone steps go around to the left, and the exquisitely constructed octagonal pavilion attracts everyone's attention.
As for the right side, Lu Jing pushed aside the green leaves blocking the way, and first a few rocks appeared here, wide enough for one person to pass. After going around, he found a small platform.
It is surrounded by rocks on both sides and hidden by lush flowers and green trees, making it quite inconspicuous.
Gu Ningxi turned around when she heard the voice, and was subconsciously startled when she saw Lu Jing. She couldn't tell what year it was for a moment.
"Your Highness?"
Lu Jing signaled him that he didn't need to bow. When the flower garden was first built, Yuan Le had looked at the drawings of the Ministry of Works and suddenly had an idea. It would be very interesting if a quiet place could be found in the bustling city so that no one could notice it.
He let him change it, and it was here. Even if you looked around the mountain, it would be difficult to find that there was another world here.
The large rock beneath was polished smooth and large enough to accommodate two or three people.
Sitting side by side with King Zhao, Gu Ningxi could smell the faint familiar fragrance on him.
They were alone in this secret world, Gu Ningxi lowered her eyes and remained silent, watching their draped hems almost touching. She felt uncomfortable, wanting to move away but feeling awkward.
"What are you doing here?" Lu Jing asked without noticing.
"I'm looking at Lansheng Terrace." Gu Ningxi raised his hand slightly and pointed in his direction. "That's the picture drawn by the Minister himself."
From here you can have a clear view of the entire Lansheng Terrace, and with the Feiyun Pavilion behind it, you can enjoy the scenery and drink tea on weekdays. During festivals or banquets, you can also set up the scenery and invite a troupe to perform.
Gu Ningxi thought about learning a thing or two so that he could use it as a reference in the future.
She quietly retracted her sleeves while pointing the way, and breathed a sigh of relief.
He hadn't figured out her identity yet. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sat so close to her out of courtesy.
Gu Ningxi perked up a bit: "Your Highness, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Lu Jing glanced at him sideways, actually he didn't know why he came here.
It was as if... it was just a natural habit from the past. Even though he had been away from Beijing for three years, there were still some things in his memory that hadn't changed, making him feel at ease.
As they looked into each other's eyes, the person in front of them gradually became the same as the person in their dream.
Gu Ningxi looked at his handsome features without looking away and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you believe in dreams?"
Lu Jing didn't answer: "Why do you ask this?"
Gu Ningxi took in the doubt in his eyes and understood in her heart that it seemed that she was the only one who had those strange dreams.
She tried to speak frankly and jokingly, "I recently had a dream that a piece of the stone on the Land Rover Terrace was cracked, so I came to take a look."
The stone was as smooth as new. Gu Ningxi justified himself by saying, "So, dreams can't be real."
…
After searching around the capital for a long time, Xie Qian finally found that Lord Gu was with His Highness.
Gu Ningxi had already learned the whole story from Prince Zhao and was willing to give it a try. This was her first proper job in Prince Zhao's palace, so she had to do something, or else she wouldn't feel comfortable accepting the salary.
At that moment, Xie Qian did not even bother to rest, and immediately turned around to go to the Marquis' Mansion to get his wooden chariot, leaving behind only a hurried back.
Gu Ningxi couldn't help but look at Prince Zhao beside him. Lu Jing smiled and said, "That's just his personality."
His tone was familiar. Gu Ningxi lowered her eyes. A life-and-death friendship on the battlefield was certainly unusual.
If King Zhao starts a rebellion in the future... Marquis Wu'an seems like someone who is willing to follow him through thick and thin.
In addition to the wooden chariot, Xie Qian also brought paintings by the previous painters.
With these scrolls as reference, it will be much easier for Gu Ningxi to get started.
She put on gloves and carefully picked up the precious wooden chariot, examining it carefully. Lu Jing, who had nothing better to do, also watched him busy.
Gu Ningxi looked focused as he checked every place, his eyes gradually filled with amazement.
Seeing Lu Jing's curiosity, Gu Ningxi pointed it out to him first, and then showed it to Xie Qian: "Here," she said, "a dovetail joint is used here."
The unique use of the dovetail joint here was truly ingenious, and Gu Ningxi couldn't help but admire the craftsman's ingenuity. Just by looking at this wooden chariot, Gu Ningxi felt that he had learned a lot.
"I can draw," she finally affirmed.
It is not difficult to imagine how exquisite the wooden chariot must have been when it was first built. The love that the old Duke of Bohai had for the Marquis of Wu'an can be seen from this wooden chariot.
She was also willing to help Xie Qian.
"Thank you, Brother Yuanle!" Xie Qian was overjoyed and bowed deeply.
Gu Ningxi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Xie Qian was three years older than her, so she was not worthy of being called "brother" by him.
It was already late today, and Gu Ningxi and Xie Qian had agreed to paint tomorrow, so they brought the scrolls back to the mansion to look at them again.
Xie Qian was originally very worried, but when he saw the calm look on Lord Gu's face when he spoke just now, he felt relieved.
There weren't many people in the capital who could create such paintings. Xie Qian watched Master Gu leave and said with emotion, "Your Highness has a good eye for talent."
Lu Jing smiled but said nothing. Yuan Le had loved playing with these objects since he was a child.
His abilities go far beyond that.
…
A gentle breeze blew, and flowers bloomed in profusion. Inside the Imperial Garden, the Emperor and Empress admired the scenery together. Prince Huai Lu Chen accompanied Emperor Mingde. While his elder brother, the Crown Prince, was preoccupied with state affairs, he frequently visited the palace to show his filial piety to his parents. As Empress Yao's youngest son, he lacked the burdens of his elder brother, and the Emperor and Empress were generally more tolerant of him.
Emperor Mingde loved Lu Chen as much as anyone, and he was very favored among the other princes. He also knew how to please his father, the emperor, and his mother, the empress, so even the crown prince would be inferior to him.
His words made Emperor Mingde feel relaxed and at ease, and he asked his father, the emperor, and his mother to go and see the famous peonies he had just found.
"It's hard for you to be so thoughtful."
Emperor Mingde smiled and glanced at his wife beside him. Zi Tong had always loved peonies, and a special nursery was set up in Fengyi Palace to plant them.
"Your Majesty," said the eunuch Li Jitong, "Prince Zhao has come to pay his respects to you."
The smile in Emperor Mingde's eyes grew even wider: "Let him come over."
Queen Yao glanced at her youngest son, and Lu Chen reluctantly moved to his mother's side, leaving the seat next to his father empty.
The weather was fine, and Lu Jing went into the palace today wearing a purple brocade robe, a golden crown, and auspicious cloud patterns outlined with silver thread.
Emperor Mingde gazed at his son as he walked toward him under the corridor. When Qi'an left the capital, he hadn't even reached adulthood yet, and he always considered him a half-grown child. Now, in the blink of an eye, Qi'an had become the renowned King Zhao of Jin, renowned for his military exploits.
Emperor Mingde smiled and said, "Among these children, Qi'an is the most like me when I was young." Sometimes when he saw him, Emperor Mingde couldn't help but think of himself when he was young and conquered the world.
Empress Yao smiled and said, "Really? I remember that Your Majesty was not this handsome when he was young."
Emperor Mingde laughed, his voice tinged with reminiscence: "Qian is still more like his mother."
Empress Yao nodded slightly. Sister Zhen was a famous beauty in Beijing back then. Qi Anquan must have chosen her and His Majesty's Chief Director.
Lu Jing greeted the ceremony and said, "Long live the emperor, and may the queen mother live in peace."
Since Qi'an had arrived, Emperor Mingde was not in a hurry to appreciate the flowers. Instead, he found a nearby pavilion to drink tea and chat.
As soon as he sat down beside his mother, Huai Wang Lu Chen said, "Brother Zhao Wang, it's a rare opportunity for you to enter the palace today."
He constantly monitored his fifth brother's movements and heard that Prince Zhao's palace had recently established a literary academy to welcome talented individuals from all over the country. He already had considerable military achievements, and now he was opening up channels for discussion and recruiting civil officials. His intentions were self-evident: to directly threaten the Eastern Palace.
But my father supported this move. It was my father's golden words that allowed Prince Zhao's palace to appoint its own officials.
The civil officials in Prince Zhao's palace are now headed by Wei Fan. The prince had tried to recruit him for a long time, but he remained indifferent. It turned out that he had already joined Prince Zhao's camp a long time ago.
Lu Chen was secretly resentful. If he had known this would happen, he should have listened to his advice and demoted Wei Fan out of the capital to teach that ignorant civil servant a lesson.
He still had a smile on his face. "My younger brother is stupid. I heard that Prince Zhao borrowed Gu Zhongyun from my elder brother, the Crown Prince. Could it be that the Academy of Literature is so full of talented people that there's no candidate that suits my heart?"
Lu Chen pretended not to notice the look from his mother.
Lu Jing smiled faintly: "If you also want to borrow someone, just ask my eldest brother directly. I think he won't refuse."
Lu Chen choked. This was clearly not what he meant. The Crown Prince was a kind and gentle man. If he had been present at the banquet at the Eastern Palace that day, he would certainly not have allowed King Zhao to act so recklessly.
Emperor Mingde naturally knew about the episode in the Eastern Palace, but the Crown Prince did not say much, and all that was spread out was just a beautiful story of brotherly love and respect.
Emperor Mingde looked at Lu Jing with a smile: "You are good at selecting people."
Prince Zhao's Palace is being renovated, and the young master of the Gu family holds positions in both the Ministry of Works and the Eastern Palace, so it is indeed convenient for him to travel back and forth.
The emperor opened his mouth to talk about this matter, but in the warning look from his mother, Lu Chen could only shut up in disappointment.
Queen Yao changed the subject. Sister Zhen's birthday ceremony would be held soon, and since Qi'an was there, it was a good opportunity to ask him what he thought.
Lu Jing had the same intention when he entered the palace today: "I want to go to the imperial mausoleum to pay my respects."
He had not returned to the capital for three years, and Emperor Mingde agreed, saying, "This is as it should be."
He ordered someone to convey his imperial decree, instructing the Ministry of Rites to make arrangements in advance.
"The court affairs are quiet these days. It's up to you to decide when to leave and who to take with you."
Empress Yao smiled gently. Lu Jing said, "Thank you, Father, and Mother."
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