75 Loudspeaker
◎The subtle feeling of alienation was keenly perceived by Lu Jing.◎
On the 23rd day of the first lunar month, three days after the rebellion of Huai Wang Lu Chen was quelled, Emperor Mingde officially issued an edict to appoint the fifth son, Zhao Wang Lu Jing, as the crown prince.
The emperor, exhausted from a series of blows, no longer had any interest in government affairs and ordered the new crown prince to oversee the court.
All the civil and military officials had some idea of the direction of the court. His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had established half of the Jin Dynasty, suppressed the rebellions of Prince Hebei and Prince Huai, and ascended to the throne of the Eastern Palace, which was what everyone expected.
The previous dynasty's regime had a smooth transition, and in the harem, Emperor Mingde never agreed to his wife's request to depose the empress.
After handing over all government affairs to the Crown Prince, Emperor Mingde and the Empress moved to Renzhi Palace.
On the fifth day of February, on the eve of the Eastern Palace's enthronement ceremony, King Lu Heng of Shu left the capital to become his fief.
As for Huai Wang Lu Chen, his title of prince was abolished. Emperor Mingde, still mindful of their kinship, ordered the imperial physician to treat his illness and took him to Renzhi Palace for strict custody.
As the ice and snow melted, the atmosphere in the court became fresh.
"Your Highness."
In front of the Ministry of Chancellery, Gu Ningxi took a half step back to greet the person, maintaining a distance from him that was neither too far nor too close, in accordance with the rules.
Lu Jing was keenly aware of the subtle sense of alienation.
A little displeasure rose in her heart, but when Yuan Le looked at him, there was still a smile in her eyes.
Gu Ningxi was indeed happy for his friend. He had become the legitimate crown prince, no longer burdened with the suspicion of murdering his brother to seize the throne. He was upright and honest, and he was the people's favorite.
His Royal Highness the King of Shu went to Shu, which is known as the "Land of Abundance". It is rich in resources and has simple folk customs. It is a good home for him.
Everything is fine, just like the bright sunshine in the sky.
There was a sense of ease and relief in Gu Ningxi's smile, she would also have her own place to go.
A new emperor appoints new ministers, and Marquis Wu'an and his men will surely rise step by step in the court.
But she was different. While His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was fighting on the front line, she was enjoying peace in Kyoto.
She had no special merits, so she could be sent to a remote place like an ordinary official and live a life of contentment.
"Where are you going?"
Lu Jing spoke, and Gu Ningxi smiled as he explained the task at hand: "Your Majesty and the Empress have moved to Renzhi Palace, and the palace still needs renovation."
This matter was originally her responsibility. She would be in Renzhi Palace for the next half month, and the Executive Minister of the Ministry of Works had arranged for someone else to share the burden with her.
She did not bother His Royal Highness Prince Zhao any further and made way for him with a courtesy.
The transition from the old dynasty to the new one, taking over military power, promoting meritorious officials, and appeasing clan members, all of these things will be busier than Lu Jing imagined.
But everything is under control, with one exception.
He should have made it clear to Yuan Le, but he still lacked the opportunity and method.
The reason why he felt embarrassed was that there were some things that perhaps he shouldn't have taken the initiative to bring up.
Lu Jing stopped and looked back in the direction where Gu Ningxi left.
Yuan Le had no intention of having a deep conversation with him.
Disguising as a man to take the imperial examination is a crime of deceiving the emperor, so he could understand why Yuan Le had been so secretive about his identity since he was a child and had always kept it a secret from him.
But it would be fine if she treated everyone equally, so why was she willing to tell Meng Ting?
He was just a cousin whom she had known for only three years. Why did she feel that Meng Mingxuan was more trustworthy than him?
If the truth ever comes to light, who else in the court can protect her except him?
Yuan Le should also know that she can't live in such precarious conditions for the rest of her life.
What is she planning for the days ahead?
"Your Highness."
Seeing that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was still not moving, Sun Jing hesitated for a while before speaking.
At 9 o'clock, the heads of the three provinces were waiting in the government hall, waiting for His Highness to come and discuss matters.
"Let's go." Lu Jing left a message, "Please pay more attention to the movements in the Xuanping Marquis's mansion these days."
"Yes, Your Highness."
…
Winter passed and spring came, and when Gu Ningxi unknowingly returned to Renzhi Palace, he felt that everything had changed.
The snow has melted away, and new buds have sprouted on the willow branches.
Perhaps His Majesty never imagined that this palace, which he once praised so highly, would eventually become the place where he chose to spend his twilight years.
According to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Renzhi Palace will be expanded and renovated again when the weather warms up, so that the daily lives of the Emperor and Empress will be more comfortable.
Gu Ningxi was staring at the layout of the corridor and modifying the patterns carved on the beams.
Suddenly, a strange eunuch came forward. Gu Ningxi recognized the token on his waist and knew he was from Fengyi Palace.
"Master Gu, the Queen invites you to the Flower Garden at noon."
The rules of the temporary palace are not as strict as those of the imperial court, and the boundaries between the imperial court and the harem are not as clear. Furthermore, His Majesty feels deeply guilty towards the Empress and would not be bothered by such trivial matters.
"Okay." Gu Ningxi bowed and accepted the imperial decree.
The young eunuch will take his leave. Someone will come to lead the way for Lord Gu later.
"Master Gu, are you saying that we should carve another pearl under the dragon's claws?"
"Hmm," Gu Ningxi came back to his senses, "There are flaws in the wood grain here, but carving it into a pearl can cover it up."
Mr. Gu had a clever idea, so the carpenter naturally did as he was told.
Gu Ningxi looked up at the colorful carving of a golden dragon emerging from the clouds between the beams, and her thoughts drifted away.
In fact, she also wanted to meet the Queen.
His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had told her that the imperial edict to depose the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was obtained by the Empress Dowager herself, kneeling in the Taiji Hall, and personally requesting His Majesty.
Almost no one in the palace knew about this secret, and even if it were spread out, the listeners would probably just treat it as nonsense.
Because it was too unreasonable, His Royal Highness the Prince of Shu was the eldest son of the Queen, and had been taught by the Queen since childhood. He was also considered a qualified crown prince by many people.
Amidst everyone's pleas at that time, His Majesty clearly intended to forgive His Royal Highness the Prince of Shu, but it was the Empress who went against his will.
The only one who can have such an influence on Your Majesty's decision to depose or enthrone the Crown Prince is the Empress.
This is why it is even more incredible.
Unless... Gu Ningxi lowered his eyes in thought, and the Queen also knew something.
…
In early spring, there are several clusters of forsythia in the flower garden.
"Gu Ningxi, a doctor from the Ministry of Works, pays his respects to the Empress. May the Empress live forever."
"Get up." The queen looked at the maids around her and said lightly, "All of you go down."
It was inappropriate for the Empress to summon the outer court officials alone.
But the maid in charge of Fengyi Palace moved her lips and finally obeyed the Empress's orders and led everyone out.
"Please sit down." Queen Yao looked at Gu Ningxi and said gently.
The fact that the Empress could ignore the rules of the harem like this seemed to be hinting at something to her.
Gu Ningxi curled his palms slightly, but still chose to sit down calmly.
They had little time to chat privately. The Empress looked at the bright winter jasmine flowers and said, "Don't blame me, Lord Gu. I've been having a lot of dreams lately. In my dreams, I saw a girl who looked 80% like you, Lord Gu. So I asked someone to invite you to come and have a chat."
She turned her gaze back and took in Gu Ningxi's reaction.
"I'm a little curious, has Lord Gu ever dreamed of me?"
As their eyes met, Gu Ningxi nodded gently: "Yes."
It is enough to confirm with each other and stop at the topic.
Queen Yao looked at the child in front of her. In this life, she was much closer to Qi'an, but her ties with the Eastern Palace were not deep, so she left early.
This also made her wonder whether anyone else had a similar experience as her.
The scenes in their dreams were different, but occasionally overlapped. Empress Yao asked, "Have you ever told Qi'an?"
The Queen Mother asked in a cryptic way, but Gu Ningxi could understand.
She shook her head. She wasn't going to bring up the subject of her identity. She asked, expressing her biggest concern: "Then the Empress—"
"I won't say much."
Gu Ningxi felt relieved subconsciously, but was still a little nervous.
There was a moment of silence between the two of them. Empress Yao then said, "This garden is beautifully built. When it's filled with flowers all year round, I wonder what a delightful sight it will be."
Her words came from the heart, and Gu Ningxi's eyes were moved: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for the compliment."
Queen Yao gave her a reassuring smile. A top scholar in the imperial examination should have a broader world for himself.
"Is your Majesty planning to stay in Renzhi Palace permanently?"
"Yes," Empress Yao said with a hint of relief. "I've lived in Kyoto for over twenty years and have long been accustomed to the food and climate here. Even if I were to return to my hometown in Jinyang, things and people would be completely different, and all traces of my memory would be erased. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to adapt."
After struggling for most of my life, at this age, I always feel like I have accepted my fate.
"Your Majesty," the maid outside came in to announce, "the two uncles of the emperor wish to see you."
Gu Ningxi lowered her head. Empress Yao said calmly, "Let them go back. From now on, there's no need to report their affairs to me."
"Yes, my lady."
There are always difficult things to do at home, and sometimes there are some things that can only be told to outsiders.
Empress Yao sighed, "It's been over twenty years. Despite being given so many opportunities, they still can't establish themselves. What's the point of relying solely on my sisters?"
Her parents have passed away, and she no longer wants to take care of the Yao family's affairs, nor can she do so.
In the days to come, she wanted to live for herself for a few more days.
Although she couldn't truly empathize, Gu Ningxi understood the Empress's feelings. Back then, if Marquis Yi'an and the other Yao men had the ability to establish themselves, why would they have resorted to relying on their marriage to the Prince of Jin, even going so far as to make their sister a concubine?
Gu Ningxi wasn't qualified to judge the grudges between the three parties. Based on her own knowledge, she softly said, "The Queen treats His Royal Highness Prince Zhao very well."
Empress Yiwen died young, leaving the Empress Dowager in charge of the harem. If she wanted to do something, it wouldn't be easy, but it wouldn't be difficult either.
But His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's attitude towards the Queen Mother over the years is enough to explain everything.
Empress Yao's gaze drifted away, her voice tinged with reminiscence, "His mother never troubled me back then."
Making up her mind to marry into the palace as a concubine was one thing, but actually facing it was another. Heng'er was young, the eldest son of a concubine, but she was also worried about her mother's situation.
If the queen of a prominent family wanted to humiliate her, she would have many ways and means to make her suffer humiliation.
The harem is under the charge of the princess, and as long as nothing goes wrong, it is not convenient for His Majesty to interfere all the time.
She didn't even expect her husband to protect her.
However, the tea-serving, rule-setting, and greetings she expected never happened. Her courtyard was meticulously decorated, and they lived far apart and lived in peace.
If you want to talk about resentment, there is some. She is a mortal, and she is not immune to the world.
But when she first met the Princess of Jin, she was already five months pregnant and was admiring the flowers in the garden.
Such a beautiful girl, with a pair of bright and clear eyes.
When she approached, the princess immediately exempted her from formalities and even felt guilty towards her, thinking that she had stolen her husband.
The marriage was arranged by the Lu family. She was far away in Jinyang, and Kyoto was completely unaware of her existence.
The princess was a jewel who was raised in the Zhending Palace. She just happily married a contemporary hero under the arrangement of her father and brother. She knew nothing about anything.
She is not wrong.
…
As the sunlight shone, the topic was coming to an end.
Queen Yao asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Gu Ningxi couldn't confirm it yet, but his cousin had already submitted a petition requesting a transfer, so a decision should be forthcoming soon. Among the younger generals in the court, no one was more qualified for the Jiangnan assignment than his cousin.
Gu Ningxi's Ministry of Works affairs still need to be handed over. Once her cousin confirms his departure from Beijing, the few tasks she has on hand should be almost finished, and she can then ask the court for permission.
She had her own ideas, and Queen Yao didn't say much.
Seeing that the person seemed hesitant to speak, Empress Yao said kindly, "If you have anything to say, just ask."
Gu Ningxi hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully: "Since your Majesty...have you ever thought about doing something?"
The struggle for the throne is complex and intricate, with neither side certain of victory. The Empress, seated at the center of the harem, holds a crucial influence on His Majesty.
"If the dream is false, there is no need to change it."
"And if the dream is real," Queen Yao smiled, "then there is no need to change it."
The Jin Dynasty in her dreams was a peaceful and prosperous country with abundant public and private granaries.
Why would she use all sorts of means, take thousands of risks, and destroy the well-being of the people just for her own selfish desires?
There is no need to go against the will of heaven.
Jiangshan should have belonged to Qi'an. And all she did was to protect her child.
Gu Ningxi felt that she could not match such clarity and open-mindedness.
She stood up and bowed, and was about to leave when the Queen suddenly called her.
"Do you know how to get along as a couple?"
Gu Ningxi was stunned. Seeing her confused and ignorant look, Queen Yao's eyes were filled with even more pity.
She changed the question: "Do you know Qi'an's personality?"
She patiently pointed out, "Qian is like his father: kindhearted, empathetic, and protective. But unlike his father, Qi'an is decisive and resolute, never wavering. He's a child who only responds to soft words and not to harsh ones. Do you understand?"
"What the Queen means is—"
"If you encounter any problems in the future," Empress Yao said with a warm smile and loving eyes, "don't confront him head-on. Think of a way to control him."
"Men in the world are sometimes easy to control."
"Do you understand?"
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