49 Jealousy
◎ "Gu Yuanle, do you know what Ruyi represents?"◎
The golden ruyi in his hand had become evidence of his guilt. Gu Ningxi hurriedly said, "Your Highness has misunderstood."
"What's the misunderstanding?"
"Your Majesty..." Gu Ningxi moved his lips, not knowing where to start explaining.
"Gu Yuanle," Lu Jing looked directly into her eyes. "Do you know what this Ruyi symbolizes?"
"I know, but...it's not what I want."
The Luo family's wife stuffed the gold ruyi into her hands without explanation. She wanted to chase after her and return it, but the palace was full of guards patrolling everywhere, and if they weren't careful, their movements would be noticed.
Besides, the Golden Ruyi was a gift from the emperor, so she wouldn't dare throw it away. Gu Ningxi could only keep it for someone else temporarily, and find a suitable opportunity to return it to Zhao after the banquet.
Lu Jing sneered, "It's Miss Luo who should have misunderstood. You don't need to explain to me."
Gu Ningxi came back to her senses. Yes, there was really no need to explain the dispute between her and Luo Yun to His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, so why was she so anxious?
Gu Ningxi rubbed her brows. She was overwhelmed by so many things and was completely confused.
Seeing that the man's expression had really turned calm, Lu Jing's blood rushed to his head.
"Since you have no intention of marrying Miss Luo, why don't you just reject her directly, instead of allowing her to pester you?"
Just like the previous marriage with the Duke of Qi, Yuan Le rejected the marriage proposal the next day without any hesitation.
Why did he become so indecisive when it came to the girl from the Luo family? Or was Yuan Le simply interested in her and tacitly allowed her to approach him?
"According to rumors in Kyoto, you allowed Miss Luo's name to be associated with you, Gu Yuanle?"
"How does Your Highness know so much—" Gu Ningxi asked mid-sentence when she suddenly realized that the Duke of Qi's residence had previously intended to discuss marriage with her, and Qin Yu would indeed investigate her past.
It's not something secret; you'll find out if you ask around.
Lu Jing knew much more than Gu Ningxi imagined.
During his three years away from Kyoto, Miss Luo had sent Yuan Le birthday gifts every year, and even more gifts during festivals. Especially during the first two years, Miss Luo was always present at every poetry banquet or flower-viewing party Yuan Le attended. It wasn't until last year, when Miss Luo accompanied the Marquis of Nan'an on an inspection tour, that she began to moderate her behavior.
The secret report clearly stated that Miss Luo and Yuan Le had only known each other for three months in Huiwen Hall when she bravely rejected the marriage proposal from the Ningguo Mansion on Yuan Le's behalf.
From then on, whenever people in the capital mentioned the daughter of Marquis Nan'an, they would always think of the brilliant and talented Erlang Jun of the Gu family.
The evening breeze blew silently, and the golden ruyi in his hand was hard and cold.
Gu Ningxi thought that in the eyes of her friends, she had probably become a heartless person who wasted the girl's youth and was irresponsible.
She pursed her lips and swallowed the words that were about to come to her lips.
She simply said, "I will return Ruyi."
Lu Jing realized his own slight mistake, and neither of them spoke for the rest of the journey.
Gu Ningxi handed Ruyi to his servant and ordered him to send it back to the Marquis' Mansion safely.
The lights in Zhaoming Hall were so bright that they made the surrounding night sky brighter.
"It's been three years," Lu Jing said, "You should have explained it clearly to her. Why make her wait in vain?"
The unintentional words woke Gu Ningxi up, and she could indeed have a good talk with Miss Luo.
Before returning to the Zhaoming Palace, Gu Ningxi made one final defense: "Your Highness, I didn't mean to play hard to get with Miss Luo. I haven't let her down."
…
The longevity banquet was still very lively.
Emperor Mingde looked at the wine cup in front of Qi'an on the seat on the right, which was filled again and again, and wondered what was going on.
Just now he discovered that Qi'an was not at the banquet, and he didn't know who he went out to meet, and he kept drinking after coming back.
"Pray for peace." Emperor Mingde called him intentionally.
Lu Jing held up the wine cup and said, "I, your son, offer a toast to your father and wish him a long life."
"well."
Emperor Mingde remained calm. Qi'an was a good drinker. When he was young, he led his generals to conquer the world, and he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk in the military camp.
The emperor regained some of his youthful heroism and drank the wine in the glass.
He whispered to Li Ji: "Go and find out who King Zhao met when he was not at the banquet."
"I obey your order."
There was round after round of singing, dancing and elegant music. His Majesty was in high spirits tonight and the banquet lasted for a long time.
Empress Yao said gently to Lu Jing, "Although wine is good, drinking too much will inevitably harm your health."
She signaled the maid to pour the wine more slowly. Lu Jing said, "Thank you for your concern, mother."
Royal family members, civil and military officials came and went to offer birthday wishes. Emperor Mingde would occasionally take a moment to glance at Prince Zhao's seat.
This kid thought that there were many people around tonight and he had nothing to worry about, but he didn't know that one can see a person's true nature best when he is half drunk.
A smile of insight appeared on the emperor's lips. Qi An had been looking in the direction where people were sitting... the Duke of Qi's Mansion, the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion, the Marquis of Nan'an's Mansion, the Marquis of Wu'an's Mansion, the Earl of Jingping's Mansion. There were quite a lot of female relatives.
Moreover, these mansions were all those to which Zhao Wang's palace had previously distributed earthenware.
Emperor Mingde ordered Li Ji: "Look again and see if anyone from these families was not in the palace when Prince Zhao left the table."
Li Ji received a series of orders and bowed before withdrawing. Now that the government is peaceful and prosperous, finding Prince Zhao's beloved in his spare time has become a pleasure for His Majesty.
Not long after, Li Ji returned with a clear inquiry. The first order was simple: "Your Majesty, the guards saw His Royal Highness Prince Zhao with Lord Gu."
As for the latter order, people from several mansions had left at that time, so it was hard to find anything special about it.
Emperor Mingde was puzzled, why was it the young man from the Gu family again?
…
After the Wanshou Festival, Gu Ningxi officially took over her new position and was given her own private duty room. Official documents were neatly stacked on her desk, handed over to her by the now-promoted Zhou Shao Sinong. All the documents were clearly organized and detailed, reflecting Zhou Sinong's meticulous approach. Gu Ningxi had carefully checked them, ensuring that no documents had been missed, saving him a great deal of trouble.
Zhou Sinong also left her two notebooks to help her get started on the job as soon as possible.
The other party was deliberately making overtures, hoping to ease the tension between them. Gu Ningxi wasn't sure how to evaluate Zhou Sinong. He was a man of genuine talent, diligent in his work, and well-connected, earning a reputation as a kindhearted person within the Ministry of Works. However, the loss he suffered at the Jiangdong Plow had forced Gu Ningxi to take a serious look.
She flipped through Zhou Sinong's handwritten note, which contained exactly what she needed right now. She didn't refuse the apology, knowing that after spending enough time in officialdom, she would likely encounter all kinds of people.
Zhou Sinong wasn't entirely evil. He had been diligent and conscientious since entering the government, accomplishing much. However, he had always been unlucky. While the Shangshu and Shilang were in their prime, he had long been stuck at the rank of Fifth Rank Doctor. He had held onto this position for years, from initial peace and contentment to frustration and worry about being replaced by a rising star. The torment he endured was palpable to others.
The ups and downs of officialdom can easily wear down one's mind and lead one to take unconventional approaches.
Gu Ningxi has no intention of judging other people's choices. The only thing he can hold on to is his own heart.
She had been familiar with the official documents for a few days, and the most important thing at hand at the moment was the construction of Renzhi Palace.
His Majesty intends to expand the summer palace in the western suburbs, and this matter has been entrusted to Minister Li for personal supervision. Gu Ningxi has been promoted to the fifth rank, and Minister Li has become her superior, but the two will need some time to adjust to each other.
Gu Ningxi also benefited a lot from working with Minister Li.
This afternoon, Gu Ningxi will accompany Minister Li to the palace to meet the emperor and report on matters related to Renzhi Palace.
Minister Li checked Gu Ningxi's documents word by word and nodded slightly.
He only deleted and revised one sentence. Among the newcomers in the Ministry of Works, Doctor Gu was the junior he was most satisfied with.
He came from a noble family and was familiar with the rules of meeting the emperor. After Minister Li gave him a few brief instructions, he felt at ease leading his men into the palace.
The duty rooms of the six ministries were right next to the imperial city. On the way to Taiji Palace, Gu Ningxi and Minister Li met His Royal Highness Prince Zhao halfway.
She greeted Minister Li together: "Greetings, Your Highness."
His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was wearing a dusk purple brocade robe today. The cuffs were embroidered with dark cloud patterns in gold and silver threads, which fully demonstrated the royal family's nobility, but also made people feel quite alienated.
Gu Ningxi pursed her lips. Their conversation by the Penglai Pond that day hadn't been pleasant at all, and it could even be said to have ended on bad terms. Meeting again suddenly was bound to be a little awkward.
His Royal Highness Prince Zhao didn't pay much attention to her. He just nodded slightly and walked away.
After His Royal Highness Prince Zhao walked away, Minister Li also said, "Let's go."
Gu Ningxi nodded and quickly turned his attention back to government affairs.
…
In the Lizheng Hall, all the sacrificial items have been prepared.
Lu Jing dismissed all the attendants, lifted his robe and knelt in front of the mat alone.
The sunlight shines through the carved window panes, casting a few shadows.
Lu Jing remained silent, and the hall was filled with silence.
The woman in gorgeous clothes in the portrait looked at him tenderly, just like his mother in his memory.
It was like going back to his childhood. No matter what trouble he got into, as long as he could give a reasonable reason, his mother would always protect him.
So many things have happened recently that he didn't know where to start or who to tell, so he could only tell his mother.
He wanted to fight for the throne, this was his decision, there was no turning back.
There was no other compelling reason; he simply wanted to obtain the supreme position and build his own career.
He knew that his father would not help him, and he was also wondering how much his father could tolerate him as the struggle for the throne intensified.
The woman in the painting looked at him, neither supporting nor dissuading him.
"Also," Lu Jing said softly, "Mother, I have found someone I love."
"The Queen Mother also knows him."
"I know this isn't right, but I've tried. I just can't forget him."
After the banquet at Wanshou Palace that day, he stayed awake all night, watching the moon rise and set and the dawn break in the east.
He thought, since Yuan Le was not married and had no lover, if others could compete, why couldn't he?
How was he inferior to others? It was just a golden Ruyi. If Yuan Le wanted it, he could get it for him at any time.
Moreover, he and Yuan Le grew up together and had a friendship of more than ten years. He knew Yuan Le's many preferences, how could others compare?
Besides him, who else could clean up the household of Marquis Xuanping and protect Yuan Le from being punished by his family?
Why can't he fight?
Lu Jing had a clear sense of right and wrong, and the pros and cons, but there was still a hurdle in his heart that he couldn't overcome.
If, if Yuan Le was a girl——
Never mind, it’s just wishful thinking.
"What does the Queen Mother think?"
He raised his eyes and met the gaze of the person in the painting.
Empress Yiwen's smile remained gentle.
Lu Jing stood up and lit three incense sticks, which went far beyond his expectations.
He offered sacrifices and placed the fragrant incense in the mud-gold incense table.
The green smoke curls up and the incense burns softly and brightly, as if silently supporting something.
Lu Jing looked at his mother's smiling face, and somehow he felt a lot more relaxed.
He said, "Thank you, Mother."
【Author’s words】
Empress Zhen (throwing money): How much does it cost to send a message to my son in his dream?
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