70 Jealousy
Lu Jing said indifferently, "I know you were delayed by something. It's okay."
Dusk was falling, and there was no candle lit in the study of Prince Zhao's mansion.
Standing outside the tightly closed study door, Gu Ningxi hadn't even raised her hand to knock when she heard a voice from inside: "Come in."
Gu Ningxi held the food box in one hand and pushed open the door with the other, wondering in her heart whether His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had heard her footsteps or smelled the aroma of sesame cakes.
"Your Highness."
After entering the study, Gu Ningxi closed the door.
She placed the food box on the table and took a look at His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's expression in the twilight. He looked a little better than she had imagined.
Gu Ningxi breathed a sigh of relief and took out several plates of food one by one.
"Your Highness, please use some of it. Don't overdo it and ruin your health."
The re-baked sesame cakes are as crispy and fragrant as when they were freshly baked.
Lu Jingwang looked at the familiar snacks in front of him and asked, "It's so cold, why did you run so far?"
It would take at least half an hour to get from here to Yongyangfang, even if you ride a horse back and forth.
Gu Ningxi didn't say anything, but just handed over a pair of silver chopsticks with a domineering look.
The room was getting darker and darker, so Gu Ningxi got up and lit the lamp.
Soon, a few candlelights shone through the glass lampshade, illuminating the entire room. Lu Jing looked up, watching as his beloved's clear, jade-like face gradually became clearer under the light.
"Stay with me for a while." He said.
Knowing that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was in a bad mood, Gu Ningxi did not think of refusing.
Although he had no appetite, Lu Jing still ate some of the food that Gu Ningxi brought him.
The silver chopsticks occasionally rested between the white porcelain bowls and cups, making one or two pleasant sounds.
After polishing his words for a long time, Gu Ningxi finally asked bluntly, "Your Highness...will you go to Luoyang?"
She had no impression of this in her fragmented dreams, but since it was the emperor's order, it would be difficult for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao to disobey.
"What about you? Are you willing to go with me?"
"I--"
Gu Ningxi was born in the Xuanping Marquisate and had never left the capital since childhood. Yet, when she mentioned the unfamiliar Luoyang, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Yuan Le showed his agreement, which was enough for Lu Jing.
He understood her hesitation and couldn't bear to put her in a difficult position.
Lu Jing answered the first question: "No." He said with a firm tone, and smiled, "There are people who are more reluctant to see this happen than us."
Gu Ningxi pondered for a moment, then understood: "Your Highness, are you going to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor?"
"It's also okay to add fuel to the fire."
Lu Jing broke the sesame cake in his hand and handed it to Gu Ningxi, half for each.
The candlelight shone warmly, but there was one more thing, since they were alone together, Gu Ningxi had to remind the person in front of him.
"The Eastern Palace secretly kept a guard of soldiers. Although the case has been concluded, many in the court still concede that it was Your Highness's doing. If..." Gu Ningxi met His Highness Prince Zhao's gaze, "If it wasn't done by Prince Zhao's Palace, Your Highness might need to consider whether someone is plotting to kill someone with a borrowed knife."
Lu Jing was so overwhelmed with several things to do in recent days that he almost ignored this detail.
He knew that the Eastern Palace was indeed expanding its army, but the secret report could not specify the number of two thousand. Otherwise, the Eastern Palace would be too leaky.
He originally thought that this case was investigated by order of his father, as the relationship between father and son in the royal family was already delicate.
Some crumbs of the sesame cake appeared, and Lu Jing thought of the second possibility.
…
"Royal brother, have you heard about it?" After hearing the message from outside, Lu Chen struggled to sit up.
His health had improved over the past two days, so he moved out of the rear hall of Zhaoming Palace, but still lived in the palace so that the emperor and empress could visit him from time to time.
Lu Heng supported him and said, "Brother Chen, you are not fully recovered yet. You need to rest well."
"Royal brother!" Lu Chen waved away the servants in the palace and said urgently, "We can't let him go to Luoyang!"
Ever since hearing the news, Lu Chen had been unable to sleep or eat. Luoyang was so prosperous, densely populated, economically prosperous, and with advanced water transportation, it was easily comparable to Kyoto. But after King Zhao conquered Henan, he ordered his trusted confidants to firmly guard the city, making it impossible for others to interfere.
"Everything east of Shanzhou is under his rule. He has elite soldiers and generals, land, and food. If a war breaks out someday, my royal brother, how can we defeat him? How can we defeat him?!"
Whenever he thought of this, Lu Chen became so jealous and worried that he couldn't sleep or eat.
As expected, his father still favored Prince Zhao the most! He had originally intended to use the poisoning incident to completely expel Prince Zhao from the capital. With his mother, the crown prince, and his weight, he didn't believe his father would choose Prince Zhao.
But who could have expected that not only would his father banish him from the capital, but he would also hand over half of the Jin Dynasty to him.
East of Shanzhou, east of Shanzhou, my father gave him the most fertile land of the Great Jin.
Lu Heng knew the pros and cons of this. As the future ruler of the Great Jin, he would only be more anxious and feel more threatened than Lu Chen.
Since receiving the news, the officials of the Eastern Palace have been discussing day and night, determined to do everything they can to stop this incident.
Even when he was ill, Lu Chen sent a message to the officials of the Huai Palace, asking them to make sure that King Zhao was not satisfied.
"Royal brother," Lu Chen shook Lu Heng's hand and spoke earnestly, "You and I, brothers, must work together to protect the Great Jin Dynasty from being interfered with by others."
They are brothers from the same family, and their mother taught them to support each other since they were young.
Lu Hengwang, who had grown up into his younger brother without him noticing, agreed, but still had one question to ask: "Brother Chen, what exactly was the poison that infected you—"
"Royal brother, it was naturally Prince Zhao who harmed me. Unlike my royal brother, he has no brotherly feelings towards me. He has the final say in the Hebei military camp. Even if he didn't do it himself, he might have tacitly approved it."
Lu Heng's lips moved. He had watched his sixth brother grow up since he was a child, so he finally suppressed the speculation in his heart.
Lu Chen spoke from the bottom of his heart, "Brother, we are from the same mother. Everything I do is for your great cause. Just know that I will never harm you."
Lu Heng looked moved. He watched his brother drink the medicine and gave him some instructions on how to recover before he got up and left.
"Don't worry too much about the past. The country is divided. When the emperor comes to his senses, he will realize that there is something wrong."
After watching his brother the Crown Prince leave, Lu Chen immediately called his confidant.
"Once the Luoyang incident is resolved, we will publicize the matter, but we must keep it secret."
"Yes, Your Highness. As Your Highness instructed, everything has been prepared."
A smile appeared on Lu Chen's lips, and he looked like a completely different person than before.
As the legitimate son of the Empress, Prince Zhao was able to risk great disapproval to fight for the throne, so why couldn't he?
Although my father has many sons and daughters, only three of them are qualified to discuss the succession.
As long as the Eastern Palace and Prince Zhao's Palace are eliminated, he will be the new crown prince for sure.
Lu Chen put down the medicine bowl. Until the last moment, it was still unknown who would win.
…
Although rumors had long been heard that His Majesty Prince Zhao would be sent to Luoyang, His Majesty had not issued a clear decree to inform the world after three consecutive court meetings.
Gu Ningxi stared at the jade sceptre in his hand. "Has His Majesty forgotten this?"
Officials from the Secretariat, the Ministry of Palace Affairs and even the Hanlin Academy reminded that this matter concerns the foundation of the country, which only means that His Majesty is reconsidering his decision and intends to let the storm fade.
For some time, officials had been submitting petitions, emphasizing the drawbacks of a divided state. The Jin dynasty, having fought for the Central Plains and overcome countless hardships to achieve unification, had a people eager for unity. Furthermore, the Turkic people to the north were eyeing the country with eager eyes. A split would make it easy for them to attack and extort money.
Gu Ningxi lowered his eyes and saw that the officials from different camps in the court were of the same mind. Could this be considered a rare unity among brothers of the Eastern Palace, Prince Zhao’s Mansion, and Prince Huai’s Mansion?
She smiled, it really is a sharp sword that can cut through metal.
In any case, the issue of the division of East and West was quietly suppressed, and no one mentioned it again in less than half a month.
The case of the Huai Prince's poisoning had been concluded: it was a Hebei spy who poisoned him. The files from both the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court stated this, and with witnesses and evidence in hand, the entire court, regardless of their speculation, could only accept this version of events.
The political situation seemed to have returned to the starting point, with the Eastern Palace and Prince Zhao's Palace still coexisting, the Prince Huai's Palace assisting the Crown Prince, and His Majesty checking and balancing them.
However, beneath the faint calm, everyone knows that the situation will eventually explode.
Rewards for the battles in Hebei also arrived belatedly. His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was given the new post of Governor of Puzhou, governing eight counties in Hebei, including Puyang. A group of young generals, distinguished themselves on the battlefield, were each given official positions and treasuries in gratitude for the emperor's grace.
Emperor Mingde saw the quarrels among the various schools of thought, but he could not make up his mind to intervene forcefully.
The status quo was maintained day after day, and a balance was barely achieved in the court.
Towards the end of the year, when the atmosphere in the former court gradually eased, a major case occurred in the harem.
A maidservant reported that the Crown Prince and Concubine Su of Changyun Palace had an affair and were entangled in an affair.
Concubine Su, born into a Jiangnan aristocracy, was a new concubine accepted by His Majesty only last year. Young, beautiful, and gentle, she had enjoyed His Majesty's great favor over the past year, rising through the ranks from talented person to Concubine Su.
The maidservant was very confident in her words and even took out the handkerchief embroidered by Concubine Su for the prince.
The case of the crown prince privately expanding the palace army had not yet been resolved, and he dared to have an affair with the concubines in the harem, coveting the emperor's favorite concubine. Emperor Mingde was furious.
He looked at the half-embroidered handkerchief and it didn't look like it was for Concubine Su's personal use. Although Concubine Su cried and said it was a gift for His Majesty, a surprise for Him, the pattern embroidered on it was clearly the one that the Crown Prince preferred.
Emperor Mingde then recalled all the good things Concubine Su had said about the Crown Prince in his bedroom. And that time in the Imperial Study, when Concubine Su, who was serving as a clerk, was frequently absent-minded when the Crown Prince came in to report on court matters, and ink stains had even stained her sleeves.
Emperor Mingde was already halfway convinced. The Crown Prince had long cultivated his harem, so how could he not know? Unlike Qi'an, he always kept a respectful distance from the imperial concubines. Emperor Mingde was already displeased by this matter, and he had never imagined the Crown Prince would be so audacious!
Especially recently, Emperor Mingde often felt overwhelmed in the harem. The prince coveted his woman, and he was furious!
Concubine Su took off her hairpin that night to plead guilty, proving her innocence. In the past, beauties with tears in their eyes were the most lovable, but Emperor Mingde then remembered that when the crown prince was accused of secretly keeping soldiers in the palace, it was Concubine Su who pleaded for mercy most earnestly among the concubines.
After the incident broke out, Crown Prince Lu Heng requested an audience three times, but Emperor Mingde was unwilling to summon him even once.
No matter how angry he was, since the matter involved palace secrets, he had to try his best to cover up for his rebellious son.
In Fengyi Palace, Queen Yao had ordered people to prepare some cooling tea.
Emperor Mingde came in a hurry, but he did not vent his anger on his wife.
Concubine Su was a member of the harem. Since Emperor Mingde had given the power of managing the harem to the empress, he naturally respected her and would ask the empress for her opinion on how to deal with her.
Empress Yao personally poured tea for the emperor and said calmly, "Your Majesty, if you think about it carefully, there is actually no real evidence to support this rumor."
Neither the handkerchief nor the plea could be considered irrefutable evidence.
"It all depends on whether Your Majesty believes it or not."
Emperor Mingde's expression eased slightly, and Empress Yao continued, "If Your Majesty wants an explanation, then based on those so-called 'evidence', I can also say that the other concubines in the harem were jealous of Sister Su's favor, so they set up this trap specifically to destroy her heart."
"Then in the final analysis, this matter is actually the fault of this concubine, the Queen Mother."
Emperor Mingde had no intention of blaming his wife. When he calmed down and thought carefully, he realized that it was indeed arbitrary for him to convict her based on a handkerchief.
The Crown Prince has always behaved in a proper manner, and has been even more cautious in the past month or two. It is unlikely that he would do such a rebellious thing at this critical juncture.
The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace calmed down, and Li Jilai reported, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Prince of Huai has come to pay his respects."
Hearing that it was the youngest son, Emperor Mingde said, "Let him in."
"yes."
Lu Chen brought two kinds of bird's nest this time, and carefully divided them into two ways of cooking: one is stewed with snow pears to moisten the lungs and relieve coughs; the other is stewed with lotus seeds to replenish qi and nourish the skin.
"I thought I had to go to two places, but I didn't expect that my father and mother would be talking in the same place."
The youngest son was very filial, and Emperor Mingde already felt guilty about him having just recovered from a serious illness. Furthermore, Lu Chen was particularly eloquent in front of his parents, which greatly improved the emperor's mood.
After Emperor Mingde finished a bowl of bird's nest and left, Lu Chen continued to talk to his mother.
Empress Yao took only two sips of the lotus seed and bird's nest soup in front of her. She said, "You've heard about what's going on in the harem, right?"
Lu Chen said, "Don't worry, mother. I believe that there is nothing wrong between my brother and Concubine Su. Besides, the harem is under the command of mother, and everyone respects her. There will be no trouble."
Empress Yao scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest, but didn't put it in her mouth. "So how do you think this scandalous news got out?"
Lu Chen's words were evasive and suggestive. Empress Yao pointed out, "But Qi'an has always been leading troops outside and has never interfered in the harem."
"Queen Mother, please don't be fooled by him." Lu Chen said firmly, "Prince Zhao's palace is powerful, and he has never openly made friends with the concubines in the harem. It is because of Queen Mother that he can't do anything."
Empress Yao looked at him deeply and said, "I hope so."
…
The case of the crown prince secretly meeting with concubines in the harem ended up with much ado about nothing.
After the prince knelt in the Taiji Hall to plead guilty and argued for his innocence, Emperor Mingde finally chose to believe him.
He ordered the Crown Prince to reflect in his palace for half a month, during which time he could still participate in government affairs. As for Concubine Su, her fall from favor was inevitable. On the pretext of interfering in state affairs, Emperor Mingde demoted Concubine Su to a concubine, moved her to another palace, and never summoned her again.
In the cold winter, a heavy snowfall covers up all the rumors.
In some empty streets and alleys, two figures holding umbrellas walk slowly side by side.
Meng Ting said gently: "It's snowing, why don't you go back home?"
"His Royal Highness Prince Zhao has invited me to a banquet. I'm going to Wangyun Tower for lunch."
Gu Ningxi and his cousin met in front, and His Royal Highness Prince Zhao held a banquet in the back.
As they happened to meet on the same day, Gu Ningxi could only meet his cousin half an hour earlier, and the location was chosen to be a teahouse near Wangyun Tower.
Fortunately, his cousin was family, so changing the time at the last minute was no problem. If it had been someone else, Gu Ningxi would have felt embarrassed.
Meng Ting remembered his aunt's instructions and hesitated, "You are dining alone with His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, but do you have anything to say?"
Gu Ningxi smiled and said, "It's just a gathering of friends. His Royal Highness Prince Zhao also invited the Duke of Qi and others."
Meng Ting felt relieved. The journey was not far, so Gu Ningxi prepared to walk there.
"The snowy road is difficult to travel on," Meng Ting said with a smile, "I'll give you a ride."
A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the street, leaving behind two long sets of footprints.
The two talked for a while, and then sent Gu Ningxi to the door of Wangyun Tower. Meng Tingfang then returned on his own.
In the private room with the best view on the third floor of Wangyun Tower, His Royal Highness Prince Zhao closed the window.
Just now, a cold wind rushed into the house. Fortunately, everyone in the house was a soldier and they were not afraid of the cold, so they didn't notice anything wrong.
Only after the windows were closed did they feel a little warmer.
Sun Jing had already been waiting for Lord Gu in the lobby. Soon, Gu Ningxi entered the private room under the guidance of Butler Sun.
She arrived the latest, having been slightly delayed on the way, and several people in the house were waiting for her.
Gu Ningxi couldn't help but feel guilty. Just as she was about to explain, Lu Jing said in a gloomy tone, "I know you were delayed by something. It's okay."
【Author’s words】
The court drama is not the main plot, so I won't write too much about it. Xiao Lu ascending the throne is more important hhh
There are a few words missing today, I will make up for it tomorrow~
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