68 childhood sweetheart
◎How could a childhood sweetheart be defeated by a person who came from heaven◎
After watching a play in which a woman dressed as a man during the day, Gu Ningxi felt suffocated.
She was clearly a woman of extraordinary talent and beauty, already well-placed to gain a foothold in the imperial court and having made considerable achievements. Why, upon returning to her female form, would she take the initiative to return home and marry?
No matter how good my cousin is, he is not as reliable as me.
Gu Ningxi couldn't understand Li Niang's choice. It just so happened that this play was very popular in Kyoto recently, so it was not surprising that "Half a Lifelong Romance" was being performed on the stage of Prince Zhao's Mansion.
Originally, Gu Ningxi didn't plan to go to the opera the next day, but after all, it was His Royal Highness Prince Zhao who invited her, so she still went as scheduled.
After handing over her visiting card at the gate of Prince Zhao's mansion, Gu Ningxi waved her hand, ignoring the need for an attendant to lead the way, and entered the palace with familiarity. Before she reached the flower garden, she ran into Steward Sun.
Sun Jing said cheerfully, "Master Gu is here, His Highness is in the study."
Manager Sun led the way with familiarity, and Gu Ningxi inexplicably followed him in a different direction to meet His Royal Highness Prince Zhao first.
The door of the study was half-open. Sun Jing went forward and knocked on the door. After conveying the message, he bowed and retreated.
Gu Ningxi entered the room alone and greeted him, "Your Highness."
Lu Jing seemed to be in a good mood: "Sit down."
He pointed to the seat closest to him. Gu Ningxi looked over and discovered that on the desk where documents were usually piled, there was now a string of interesting gadgets.
After she sat down and took a closer look, she found that many objects looked familiar.
"Is this... the Luban lock?" Gu Ningxi took one of them.
"yes."
The objects have been carefully preserved. The Luban lock connected with mortise and tenon joints can still be assembled and disassembled, and the concave and convex parts inside are cleverly meshed.
Gu Ningxi still remembered the time he and His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had worked together to unlock the Luban lock. Luban locks were often easier to dismantle than to reassemble. It had taken them a long time to undo the lock and put it back together.
Gu Ningxi played with it for a while with great interest. The Luban Lock that he had found so troublesome before was now extremely easy to take apart and put back together.
It took only half a cup of tea to successfully fasten the last wooden stick, and Gu Ningxi and Lu Jing both laughed.
On the table were two dice inlaid with gold and silver, their eighteen sides polished to an exceptionally smooth finish, each engraved with inscriptions. When they were young, they often used these dice for betting, with the winner, for example, being offered a plate of fruit as a treat.
There were also porcelain whistles, presumably a pair. The craftsman meticulously crafted them to resemble sheep, with curved horns, curly fur, arched front legs, and double kicks at the back, the sheep leaping vertically. A slanted hole ran from the rump to the waist. The top of the sheep was glazed black, and the whistle had a clear, resonant sound. Because Gu Ningxi was so fond of it, Prince Zhao even gave her one of the whistles, half for each.
The dazzling array of gadgets brought back Gu Ningxi's childhood memories.
She smiled and said, "Your Highness, why did you dig out all these things?"
"Well, nothing to do."
The two of them went on to look at other objects. When they came across the portrait of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao that he had graffitied, Gu Ningxi silently turned the painting over.
She stroked her forehead. The painting skills at that time were really hard to describe. How could she have been so confident in giving it away?
Seeing her expression, Lu Jing suppressed his smile.
The two chatted with each other from time to time, showing their tacit understanding like true childhood sweethearts.
There were a few footsteps outside the house, and Xie Qian's voice was the first to arrive: "Your Highness and Master Gu are here."
The three of them listened to the opera for a long time, but there was no sign of His Highness, so they asked Steward Sun and found him.
Gu Ningxi took the initiative to separate herself from His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. After Xie Qian and the other two exchanged greetings, they naturally sat down in the study.
Lu Jing was silent for a moment and asked someone to add more tea.
At the residence of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, they had just won a new victory, and everyone was very relaxed while talking.
Qin Yu took a sip of tea and said, "I thought we would be able to return home in the New Year, but I didn't expect the war to end in November."
"Yes," Xie Qian took over, "the letter my mother sent me was sent to the wrong place, and I only received it yesterday."
Zhen Yuan and His Royal Highness Prince Zhao also stopped by to visit the Zhending Palace, but Kyoto was in a turbulent time, so they did not stay long.
Gu Ningxi brought the teacup and said with a smile, "Aren't you going to take Mother to the capital yet?"
She did not think much when she asked the question, she just knew that Marquis Wu'an was filial and that the Marquis Wu'an's mansion had been decorated.
However, Gu Ningxi changed his mind and thought again. The situation in the capital was still uncertain, and the dispute over the throne was still unclear. Marquis Wu'an might not be at ease to bring his mother to reunite with him.
She wanted to add a few words, but Xie Qian quickly brushed it off: "My mother said she couldn't bear to leave her hometown and would come back in two years."
The atmosphere in the room remained unaffected by this. Zhen Yuan jokingly asked, "What did Auntie write in the letter? I'm afraid she's urging you to get married again, isn't she?"
"No, no," Xie Qian said, "My mother is worried about the marriage of one of her nieces."
Xie Qian couldn't clearly explain his relationship with the girl. He only knew that the mothers of the two families were good friends, so they were distant cousins?
He was always away from home, and his mother liked the girl very much and often invited her to her home.
"Ninh Nghiang is ready to get married, and she has a childhood sweetheart. Her family elders want to arrange the marriage and ask my mother to officiate."
"And then?" His Royal Highness Prince Zhao asked with great interest.
"That's what's wrong. The two families are well-matched and have long-standing friendships. But the girl came back to visit her maternal grandparents and fell in love with a guest there at first sight. She doesn't want to marry anyone else."
"Why is it so?" His Royal Highness Prince Zhao paused.
"A childhood sweetheart can't compete with a man sent from heaven," Gu Ningxi continued, feeling that Xie Jiuniang was independent-minded and would actively choose the husband of her choice. "Is that guest a good match?"
Lu Jing: “…”
Xie Qian said, "His family background and character are both excellent, and he also has feelings for Jiu Niang. It's just that it's difficult to explain to the Zhao family, so the matter has been put on hold for now."
Zhen Yuan didn't judge. Qin Yu said, "Since they haven't been engaged yet, things can be worked around. It's all fate. Let's just assume that Jiu Niang and the young master of the Zhao family are not meant to be together."
His Royal Highness Prince Zhao gently turned his teacup over and said, "How can you say someone is worthy of trust when you've only met him a few times?"
It remains to be seen who has no fate.
…
In mid-November, a celebration banquet had been prepared in the palace for many days for the great victory in Hebei, and all the civil and military officials in the court would be in attendance.
Lu Jing entered the palace in the afternoon, first went to Taiji Palace, and then went to Fengyi Palace to pay his respects.
"Long live the Queen Mother."
"Please sit down." Queen Yao said with a smile, "It's windy outside. Why don't you put on more clothes?"
Lu Jing smiled and said, "I just came out of Taiji Palace, so I don't feel cold for a while."
Empress Yao was quite disapproving: "You are still young and don't know how to maintain your appearance."
She gave a few instructions to the attendants of Prince Zhao's mansion and sighed softly in her heart.
King Zhao is famous throughout the world, and his great military achievements were not gained for nothing. He should take better care of his body.
Lu Jing should say "good". In recent years, Empress Yao has been in charge of the six palaces, and Lu Jing's relationship with the Empress has always been harmonious.
After two paragraphs of conversation, the attendant came to report: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Huai has arrived."
Lu Jing had just finished his tea when he said goodbye. Empress Yao did not keep him and ordered the steward of Fengyi Palace to see him off personally.
When they met at the palace gate, Lu Jing and Lu Chen did not speak to each other.
The maids in the palace removed the teacups and served the medicinal food that the Queen had ordered freshly prepared in the small kitchen.
"Greetings, mother." Lu Chen greeted.
Empress Yao looked her child up and down. Chen'er had been ill in Hebei and had lost a lot of weight since returning. It would probably take more effort to restore his vitality.
The medicine had a bitter aroma. Empress Yao stared at Lu Chen as he drank the medicinal food. The steward then quietly reported the situation at the palace gate.
The Queen sighed. She had considered her words long ago, and today was the perfect time to tell them to her youngest son.
"You've already married a princess, and are now a fully fledged Prince of Jin. Mother also feels that you're becoming more sensible each year, and are able to share the burdens of your father and brother." Queen Yao said gently, "Qian just came by. After all, you and he are brothers. Why continue to quarrel with each other like you did when you were little?"
"Mother, I am your biological son!"
Hearing that Queen Yao's words seemed to favor Prince Zhao, Lu Chen immediately put down the medicine bowl.
Empress Yao shook her head. She and His Majesty had considered bringing the brothers together over the years. But whenever the topic was raised, Chen'er resisted. Chen'er was known to refuse to admit defeat, and Qi'an was certainly not one to swallow his anger. The brothers, separated by only a few months, seemed like natural enemies.
The only consolation in Empress Yao's heart was that there was no irreconcilable conflict between the two brothers at the moment. At most, it was just a minor quarrel between the brothers, and it had not reached the point of a fight to the death.
There is always a chance to redeem it.
…
As night fell, the Zhaoming Palace was brightly lit.
All the civil and military officials are here, and we are honored to have a banquet in the palace tonight to congratulate Your Highnesses King Zhao and King Huai on their triumphant return from pacifying Hebei, and to congratulate the Great Jin Dynasty on unifying the Central Plains and wishing the country eternal prosperity.
This was nominally the case. Even though the situation on the Hebei battlefield was known to everyone, no one mentioned anything inappropriate at such a celebratory banquet.
At the very least, he is your Majesty's youngest son, and has a good father and a good brother.
Emperor Mingde raised his glass and drank heartily, with his wife, with whom he had shared half his life, by his side. The princes in the palace were all filial, and the ministers were even more loyal, offering suggestions and advice on national affairs.
Family, country, and the world, as a ruler, he has done this, which is enough to comfort his ancestors in the netherworld. His only remaining wish in life is for a harmonious family and a peaceful and prosperous world.
Empress Yao covered her sleeves and drank the wine in the cup, but she seemed even more worried than the emperor.
The maids came in one after another carrying delicacies and served the dishes in order from top to bottom.
With fine wine and delicious food before them, the civil and military officials at court each had their own concerns. Those in the Ministry of Revenue, in particular, were afraid they wouldn't have a good year.
Some people even speculated about how His Majesty would reward His Royal Highness Prince Zhao this time.
The seats for the nobles on the jade steps are likely to be filled with undercurrents.
Second from the left, Huai Wang Lu Chen drank cup after cup. Crown Prince Lu Heng, seated above him, knew he was feeling uneasy. They had clearly gone to war together, but Cheng Yu and Qi An were worlds apart when they returned.
Lu Heng had nothing to say. His father had already given Cheng Yu the opportunity, and the staff who went on the expedition with Cheng Yu were all doing their job conscientiously.
However, the war in Hebei was losing ground, the Turks were eyeing the area covetously in the north, and the territory that had only been annexed to the Jin Dynasty for three to five years showed signs of rebellion again. My father had no choice but to let Qi'an lead the troops.
Even though he had some complaints, the man in front of him was his own brother after all. Lu Heng said, "Brother Chen, drinking is harmful to your health. You've just recovered, so drink less."
"It's alright, thank you for your concern, my Royal Brother." Lu Chen's eyes flashed with an imperceptible glint, "I offer a toast to my Royal Brother."
The hall is brightly lit and colorful.
The seats were far apart, so Lu Jing didn't need to be too cautious when looking at them.
He gazed at the figure in crimson official uniform beneath the lamplight, her face as bright as the moon, her eyes as glittering as gemstones. She sat quietly among the courtiers, yet it was as if the stars in the sky were all falling on her, making it impossible to look away.
Gu Ningxi occasionally noticed it, and when he looked up, he saw the whole hall filled with people toasting each other.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the newly served crab soup. The celebration banquet was still as grand as ever.
The imperial treasury was not abundant, and the Ministry of Revenue had already urgently allocated a large amount of military rations and pay for the campaign against Hebei. The Jin dynasty was plagued by civil unrest, and the Turks, at Xu Lang's request, had sent cavalry south to disrupt the Central Plains and engage in wanton looting. To quickly stabilize Hebei and prevent the Jin army from being attacked from both sides, Your Majesty had no choice but to dispatch envoys to negotiate peace with the Turkic Khan, offering him an irresistible gift of gold and silver, which ultimately led to the Turkic withdrawal.
The present Jin Dynasty is temporarily at peace and urgently needs to recuperate.
The crab meat fell onto the plate without warning. Gu Ningxi suddenly heard the panicked and shrill cries of the maids at the head: "Your Highness, Your Highness Prince Huai! Your Highness!"
The noisy hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone's attention was directed upwards. Some officials from the Huai Palace had already stood up and were anxious to run over.
Prince Huai Lu Chen vomited continuously at the banquet, but what he vomited out was not wine, but blood, large amounts of bright red blood.
"Call the imperial physician!" Crown Prince Lu Heng was the first to react.
"Chen'er!" Queen Yao's voice trembled as she pushed the maid aside to see her little son.
The blood dripping onto the table flowed onto the ground, forming a pool that was shocking to see.
All the court officials in the hall were so shocked by this sudden change that they were speechless.
…
The banquet ended, and the celebration was in chaos. Huai Wang Lu Chen was urgently moved to the back hall and treated by the imperial doctors who arrived in a row.
The Emperor and Empress both stayed in the rear hall. The Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had settled the situation in the Zhaoming Hall and then rushed over.
The imperial physician made a rough diagnosis and it was clear that His Royal Highness the Prince of Huai was poisoned.
Looking at the unconscious child who was still frowning and crying in pain, Queen Yao, who had not shed tears for a long time, had tears in her eyes.
Emperor Mingde was equally anxious, and at this moment he assumed the responsibilities of a king and father: "Shuhua, don't worry. I will definitely make the decision for our child."
All the ministers who attended the banquet were kept at the table, and no one could leave until the truth came out tonight.
The ministers were whispering to each other, thinking that in broad daylight, someone actually dared to poison the prince of the current dynasty in front of His Majesty. What a sinister intention!
Gu Ningxi looked at the dark sky outside. Even though he knew that a storm was coming, he didn't expect it to come so quickly.
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