◇ Chapter 50 (50) Those who are willing to take the bait
hatred?
Why does Lianzhi feel that she hates him?
Was he afraid that he would mind his status? Lianzhi was just a pawn of the Liangzhou prefect, with no choice, and he never held a grudge against it. Even when Lianzhi first came to the capital, he treated her well.
If Lianzhi was indeed Chen Fenglian, then there was no need to worry about him harboring resentment because of his harsh criticism. He did resent and dislike Chen Fenglian, but he never hated her. Bo Kang considered himself an upright person, with a righteous character and good relationships, never actively seeking to harm others. He had no deep hatred for anyone, so why would he harbor resentment?
Chen Fenglian had never done anything bad, except for her love of ordering him around. Besides, back then, he had deliberately approached her...
He gently wiped away the tears from Lianzhi's eyes, his movements like caressing fragile glass. Lianzhi cried until dawn, then fell asleep exhausted. Bai Kang hadn't slept all night, but he didn't feel sleepy either.
Lianzhi had been acting nice recently, getting up with him in the morning. Fearing that Lianzhi might be woken up, Bo Kang moved very quietly, telling everyone to leave and not to disturb Lianzhi today.
Before leaving, Bai Kang caught a glimpse of the small box next to the incense burner, thought for a moment, and tucked it into his sleeve. This incense is not good, so I'd better ask Doctor Qin to give him some real calming incense.
For several days, the court was consumed by debate over the northern war. Bo Kang had prepared to remain hidden among the crowd, listening to the generals' arguments. Unexpectedly, Lord Li of the Ministry of Revenue spoke first, his voice trembling as he held his tablet. "Your Majesty, we cannot fight!"
Everyone looked over.
"Your Majesty," Minister Li stepped forward. "Urgent reports from the northern provinces indicate that famine has been raging for over a month, leaving the people homeless. If no assistance is provided, a catastrophe could ensue!"
"What is the specific situation?" Emperor Jianguang's voice came from above.
"Your Majesty, Qizhou, Luanzhou, Yucheng and other places have been suffering from famine for a month. According to statistics from various prefectures, more than 100,000 households have been affected!" Minister Li burst into tears.
The hall was completely silent, even the sound of breathing was audible. Minister Li was about to speak when Emperor Jianguang knocked on the armrest of the dragon throne, his decision complete. "Open the granaries immediately and release grain. Instruct the Ministry of Revenue to coordinate and coordinate the distribution of grain to ensure that the victims have enough food. Also, instruct the Ministry of Works to immediately dispatch personnel to provide disaster relief and monitor the victims' accommodations. Specific matters will be discussed after the court session."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Minister Li knelt on the ground, his voice choked with sobs.
The sudden disaster in the north had instantly silenced the court. The officers, still arguing, no longer dared to speak, each absorbed in thought. After adjourning the court session, Emperor Jianguang immediately summoned Minister Li and several officers to the Imperial Study. Just as Bai Kang was about to leave, Eunuch Lu stepped in front of him, his smile veiled, "Lord Bai, His Majesty requests that you proceed to the Imperial Study."
Looking at his appearance, Bai Kang suddenly felt that the old Wen was really pleasing to the eye.
Fortunately, the person Lianzhi brought over was Lao Wen, not Eunuch Lu.
Bai Kang had anticipated what Emperor Jianguang was calling him for, but even then, upon entering the Imperial Study, he was caught off guard. Before he could finish his greetings, Minister Li repeated his words: "The war in the north is intense, and food and fodder are already in short supply. If the famine continues, I'm afraid there will be a crisis."
"Lord Li understands the principle of maintaining internal stability and resisting external aggression better than a mere novice like me!" Deputy General Hu retorted loudly, kneeling on one knee. "Your Majesty, the army's food and fodder cannot be cut off!"
"How do we know if you're making things easier for the barbarians in the North Sea!" Minister Li cursed. "By then, who knows if the food you're transporting will inexplicably disappear in the north!"
"How dare Lord Li suspect the two princes of the north? You must provide irrefutable evidence!" Deputy General Hu was completely anxious. "Or do you suspect our general of embezzling military rations?"
His gaze fell on Bai Kang again. Emperor Jianguang knocked on the throne beneath him again, his eyes sharp: "What do you think, Lord Bai?"
What does he think?
In front of everyone, he said that he thought what Deputy General Hu said was reasonable? He was born in King Mu's fiefdom, and if he dared to say such a thing, he would definitely be suspected.
Saying that Lord Li is right? The war really can't be dragged on any longer. Bai Kang rolled his eyes, took a deep breath, and was about to speak when Eunuch Lu rushed into the imperial study and whispered a few words to Emperor Jianguang.
The emperor at the top of the table fixed his gaze and glanced at Bai Kang again.
Bai Kang: Why are you looking at me again?
Before he could say anything, another young eunuch entered the hall, reported to Eunuch Lu, and then walked straight to Bai Kang. His voice was too soft, and Bai Kang couldn't hear clearly, so he asked him to speak louder.
The young eunuch obeyed obediently: "Master Bai, Madam has sent me a message. Madam asks you to return to the palace immediately."
Bo Kang: "Whose wife?"
The young eunuch blinked: "Your wife."
How could he possibly go back home in such a situation? Lianzhi was becoming increasingly willful, though still quite adorable. Bai Kang waved his hand, signaling the young eunuch to withdraw. The young eunuch said in a voice audible to everyone around him, "Madam was supposed to enter the palace to pay her respects to the Imperial Concubine today, but unexpectedly, she fainted on the way. The imperial physician examined her and it seems the poison had remained, and it's now acting up. The Imperial Concubine has excused Madam from entering the palace today."
The young eunuch didn't know what had happened before, he just felt that after he said this, the imperial study suddenly became much colder.
Was there any residual poison? Wasn't Mrs. Bai poisoned the last time she entered the palace to accompany the Queen Mother to appreciate the flowers? There were many different opinions about this matter. Everyone present had heard about it, and they looked at it with their eyes and noses, and dared not speak.
After a long while, Emperor Jianguang finally spoke, gnashing his teeth and saying, "Since that's the case, Lord Bai, please withdraw first."
His good "Queen Mother" really helps him!
Bai Kang breathed a sigh of relief, and as soon as he came out of the imperial study, he asked, "Who gave you the message? How is my wife? Why does she have to go to the palace today?" It had only been two hours since he left the Shangshu Mansion, so how come Lianzhi was already ready to go to the palace!
"I don't know either." The young eunuch scratched his head and escorted him out of the palace. On ordinary days, it would take him nearly half an hour to get home, but he only took a quarter of an hour. Bo Kang opened the carriage door, jumped out of the carriage, and hurried back.
"Lian'er!" He opened the door and yelled. The soft, pale yellow bed curtains drooped, dimming the sunlight, revealing only a thin shadow within. Liang Ye sat by the bed, holding a bowl and feeding Lianzhi medicine.
He involuntarily slowed his pace, letting Liang Ye move aside while he sat down and took the porcelain bowl. He drew aside the gauze curtains, and saw Lianzhi napping with her eyes closed, a soft jade pillow in her arms, a ruby headband on her forehead, and her face exceptionally pale. Bo Kang's heart softened, guessing he was reluctant to take the medicine, and he said softly, "Lian'er, wake up and take the medicine."
Lianzhi ignored him, so he continued, "I rushed back from the palace just for you. Can you open your eyes and look at me, please?"
The moment she finished speaking, Lianzhi suddenly opened her eyes and smiled slyly, not looking sick at all. Bai Kang sensed something was wrong and put the bowl down. "What's going on?"
"I want you to come back and accompany me." Lianzhi acted coquettishly.
Bai Kang didn't indulge him this time: "Tell me the truth, what happened to you fainting? Is it true or fake?"
Lianzhi snorted, it seemed to be a lie.
Since Lianzhi was fine, he was relieved. Bo Kang breathed a sigh of relief: "Why did you ask me to come back? When did the imperial concubine summon you to the palace?"
He asked so many questions that Lianzhi reacted slower than usual. She answered in a thin voice, "You can't stay in the Imperial Study anymore."
Bo Kang frowned.
"You've been discussing the war in the north lately, haven't you? Prince Yuan's wedding is in the next few days, and the Imperial Concubine has summoned me and several other ladies to the palace to discuss this matter. I heard the eunuch say you were in the imperial study." Lianzhi explained slowly, "You can no longer offer any advice on this matter. Any answer you give will be wrong. You'd better leave immediately."
"I know that," Bo Kang sighed. "I can avoid it today, but what about next time? I'm from the north, and my identity can't be erased. Besides, you suddenly sent someone to look for me today. Your Majesty should be able to guess the reason."
Lianzhi's excuse of poisoning was indeed useful, but it was too deliberate.
"It's better to delay it for a while. War waits for no one, and the generals are quick-tempered. They will take the blame for you." Lianzhi said softly, covering her head and whispering a warning. Bai Kang noticed his reaction and became nervous again: "What's wrong?"
"I have a headache." Lianzhi wiped her tears pitifully. "I had a nightmare last night and I've been scared all morning. I asked the kitchen to prepare some soothing soup. Brother Kang, please give me the medicine first."
He grabbed the porcelain bowl and drank the medicine in one gulp, it was so bitter that he spat out his tongue. Bo Kang suddenly felt even more guilty. If it weren't for his fragrance, Lianzhi wouldn't have had nightmares and headaches.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault." Bai Kang said.
Lianzhi's eyes flashed.
"What does it have to do with you?" He smiled gently and obediently, "Luckily, I have Brother Kang here. I used to have nightmares in Liangzhou. Ever since Brother Kang has been with me, I haven't had this problem for a long time."
Was it in Liangzhou, or in the palace? Bai Kang was too guilty to answer. He still had many questions in his mind, but at this juncture, he couldn't ask them. After Lianzhi's headache subsided, he coaxed everyone to rest for a while, and it was time for him to return to the Ministry of Rites.
Lianzhi nodded, saw Bai Kang off, and blinked her long eyelashes at his back.
When Bai Kang returned to the imperial city, he didn't rush to the Ministry of Rites. Instead, he went to the Imperial Hospital. Doctor Qin wasn't there, so he thought some nobleman in the palace had sent him away. He looked around and found that Doctor Qin's apprentice, Doctor Liu, was there.
He planned to ask Imperial Physician Liu to convey the message and that he would come back tomorrow. After hearing this, Imperial Physician Liu looked around and whispered, "Your Excellency, you may not know that the master has been asked to leave by the Princess's men today. I'm afraid he won't be back for a while."
【Author’s words】
I deleted some content, I don't know if it will be coherent for everyone. This chapter can't be passed for some reason...
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