Chapter 37 037 I shouldn't have gotten so carried away
"The same as always." Consort Mu handed the clothes to Yu Jue, who went into the inner room and soon came out of the palace gate with a bundle in her arms.
Ling Zizhan followed her gaze, but Consort Mu pretended not to know and offered no explanation.
How are you doing in the suburbs of Beijing?
“Selecting horses, training horses, raising horses—you have to do everything yourself to learn a lot about them.” Ling Zizhan’s eyes sparkled as he spoke of horses. “However, the horses in our Great Jin are kept in enclosures. When they hear the sounds of battle, their hooves become uneasy, and their fighting ability is slightly reduced. Compared to the Northern Valley and the Great Di, they are somewhat inferior.”
"The inherent environment and the survival of the fittest make comparisons impossible. Knowing our shortcomings is already quite good."
Although Consort Mu did not fawn over her children, she rarely praised them so directly. Ling Zizhan suppressed his emotions and spoke with more enthusiasm, "If we were to raise the warhorses of Beigu, Dadi and our Great Jin together, they might become even more refined and stronger in battle."
"The unrest was quelled some time ago, and now that winter has arrived, there might be an opportunity."
Consort Mu left the matter of the previous dynasty at that point, and then turned her attention to Ling Shuyao, saying, "I reckon she tossed and turned all night and caught a cold."
Ling Zizhan received a handwritten letter from Ling Shuyao some time ago, in which she mentioned choosing playmates for the princess. Her exaggerated words revealed her interest. Ling Zizhan then said, "Yao'er is pure and kind, but the matter of playmates involves a wide range of issues. It's best not to get involved."
Consort Mu felt this deeply, so she confined her to Yingcui Palace that day to avoid the Empress and Consort's sharp words. However, she never expected that someone would catch her eye.
Ling Zizhan asked bluntly, "Mother, is there something wrong?"
Do you know Meng Qingshan? What kind of person is he?
Ling Zizhan straightened his posture involuntarily, his deep eyes pausing for a moment as he revisited the tense standoff. He confirmed Meng Qingshan's obvious hostility. Feng Wuxiu could be considered his mentor, so he naturally belonged to the First Prince's faction. However, during the promotion of military officers, he had drifted away and entered the camp in the outskirts of the capital, making him truly difficult to distinguish.
However, Ling Zizhan still praised him, saying, "He is resourceful, brave, righteous, and discreet."
Consort Mu knew he never lied, and she didn't know what he was thinking.
Why did Mother ask him?
"His cousin was also among the playmates this time, and for some reason, she has offended the palace."
Ling Zizhan suddenly recalled the day he went to find that herb. He had only met it briefly at the post station on the outskirts of the capital. He hadn't seen its true appearance through the veil, and it had only exchanged a few words with him. The reply was neither humble nor arrogant, and that was all he remembered. He didn't know how to reply for the time being.
Silence fell over the room. Consort Mu did not mention that she had sent someone to inform the servants below not to use any dirty tricks to harm people.
Ling Zizhan remained silent for a moment before finally asking, "Mother, do you know that Grandfather went to the palace today?"
The last trace of emotion in Consort Mu's eyes seemed to have been stripped away. She sat there blankly, waiting for him to continue. Seeing this, his tone also lowered slightly. "Just now, my maternal grandfather... snorted loudly outside the hall. He must dislike me."
A moment later, Consort Mu's eyes stung with tears, and her heart sank. When she looked at Ling Zizhan, she only said, "Your grandfather is quick-witted and perceptive, and he will certainly not be harsh on you."
After speaking, Consort Mu stood up, indicating that she did not want to talk about the matter anymore. Back then, she entered the palace rashly based on a vague idea in her mind, but she had gained nothing over the years and had reached a point of self-doubt. She also felt a deep sense of regret. However, just when she was about to lose her temper, she noticed some signs at the beginning of the year.
Unfortunately, the opportunity was fleeting, like a stone thrown into the ocean, and was never seen again.
However, for her, the verification of consciousness was enough to make her even more certain that the truth of what happened back then must be in this palace.
At that time, she will kneel before her father to beg for forgiveness for her past sins.
Just as the atmosphere was somber, Ling Shuyao gracefully flew out from the inner hall. Seeing Ling Zizhan with a joyful expression, she was completely unaware of the quiet emptiness inside the hall. She chattered about the suffering she had endured over the past two days, which livened up the atmosphere in the hall.
Inside the council hall, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers was even more harmonious.
Emperor Kang of Ming pulled up the kneeling old minister. Just like many years ago, when he was a student of Huang Pu, he often served by Huang Pu's side. Huang Pu ridiculed him for his proper conduct and often dragged him to do some unconventional things. Young people are at the time when they are willful and reckless.
Emperor Mingkang was no longer the young man he once was; only Huang Qi remained in that era, his laughter now roughened by the passage of time.
Suddenly, I realized that the hoarse voice came from him. After many years of hard work, he was no longer the same as before, and his words were not entirely frank. Even in his intimate words, he still spoke with a condescending tone: "I am very pleased that Minister Huang has come this time."
"This old and frail minister, if I can still serve the Great Jin with the utmost loyalty, it would be my great fortune and a great favor from Your Majesty."
After speaking, Huang Pu was about to kneel down again. Emperor Ming Kang cursed him under his breath, thinking, "Old fox! He's going to break my back with all this kneeling and kowtowing!" Helpless, he had no choice but to play along with Huang Pu's act of being a wise ruler and a virtuous minister.
Finally, he glared at Dexi, who suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly ordered a eunuch to bring him a chair before he could finally settle down.
De Xi smiled obsequiously, wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. He had been wondering how the Emperor could control this old fox, but the old fox just cried and made a scene instead of getting down to business, which made him suffer the Emperor's disdain.
Seeing that the discussion had already begun inside the hall, Dexi hurriedly went out of the hall. Looking at Meng Qingshan, who was standing outside the hall like a wall, he chuckled. Seeing that Meng Qingshan was unmoved, he stood awkwardly to the side.
It's cooler and less hassle outside.
Inside the palace, Emperor Mingkang gave instructions on various tasks. Although he spoke only a few words, Huang Pu always managed to be concise and to the point, saving a lot of trouble compared to the current court officials. Moreover, he was thorough and appropriate, summarizing the main points in a comprehensive manner.
Emperor Kang of Ming was very pleased.
Huang Pu rose shakily from his chair, bowed deeply, and sighed, "The Great Jin Dynasty has countless capable and virtuous people. This old minister is already in his twilight years and fears that I may ruin Your Majesty's plans. This old minister is terrified!"
Under the eaves, Meng Qingshan listened to the hysterical roar, his eyebrows twitching slightly. He thought to himself that this maneuver of retreating while I advance, advancing while I retreat, was so skillful.
He thought to himself sarcastically that he had seen this kind of trick many times before.
Emperor Mingkang's face showed emotion, and his voice choked with emotion as he said, "All the scholars in the land are waiting for their mentor to come out of seclusion to serve the people. If you refuse, I... will find it difficult to face you..."
Huang Pu was renowned among scholars and literati throughout the land. He was the shortcut to promoting culture and revitalizing the Jin Dynasty, and his involvement was essential.
Huang Pu seemed to recall his bold words from years ago. After struggling and agonizing for a long time, he slid off the chair, knelt down, and made up his mind, saying, "Your Majesty's entrustment is something I will do without hesitation, even if it means going through fire and water."
The palace road was narrow and long. The snow on the walls was blown by the wind and fell around the sedan chair. It felt slightly cool on the neck, but nothing compared to the feeling of being pricked on the back.
Meng Qingshan lagged behind by a step, level with the sedan chair, but could still feel the gaze upon him. Disliking being stared at like this, he raised his eyelids and looked straight ahead.
The old man, who had just been wailing and lamenting, now stared at him with resentment in his eyes, as if he harbored a grudge.
Huang Pu asked dismissively, "You're Meng Qingshan?"
What are your thoughts, Lord Huang?
"I wouldn't call it an insight, but I'm just reminding General Meng that your unrealistic ambitions show that you're overestimating yourself. The capital is not a border city where you can act recklessly and do whatever you want."
"It is one's right to receive; only what one does not receive is undeserved. Whether one gains or loses depends on one's own ability."
"Hmph." Huang Pu snorted coldly and threatened, "Leave a way out for yourself in the future, so you can meet again in the future. Don't end up being held accountable in the end."
Meng Qingshan looked at him, who had already turned away, and felt a tightness in his chest. He guessed that it was because of the Fourth Prince's matter that Lord Huang was jealous of him.
Then he cursed, "This family is full of trouble. They're so bossy, like they owe you something."
Meng Qingshan grew increasingly angry, and with a flick of his sleeve, he left the sedan chair. Since he could see the palace gate anyway, he considered his mission accomplished.
He turned and walked in a different direction until he entered the Meditation Hall, only then did he suppress his anger.
Inside the Jingsi Hall, the snow, which was ankle-deep, had only cleared a narrow path, and there wasn't even a eunuch or nanny to watch over it. Meng Qingshan couldn't help but frown.
He stood in the courtyard and gave a cold, sharp look towards the east wing. An Shulan, who was standing by the window, was so frightened that she took two steps back and fell onto the bed, clutching her chest. Thinking about the wolf-like look in his eyes just now, she thought she was just imagining things and urged Xuezhi, "Go and find out what he's doing here!"
Her brother was found guilty of many wrongdoings, and Meng Qingshan took over his job, so she couldn't help but suspect him.
Xuezhi's heart was pounding with fear. Besides, there was still no reaction to what they had done, so she dared not move forward.
An Shulan muttered under her breath, "Useless thing."
Unwilling to give up, he picked up his cloak and put it on, saying resentfully, "Let's go find that person."
In the east side room of the main house, Qingli was a little bored. Jiang Yue, whom she had sent out to inquire about Consort Mu, had not yet returned. Granny Huaying was sewing a dark satin brocade robe with her head down, saying that it was for Meng Qingshan.
Outside, the door creaked open, and a gust of cold wind slipped in from under the warm curtain.
Qingli didn't feel cold. Although she was sitting on the sidelines, the charcoal fire inside was burning brightly. Although it wasn't as warm as the Meng family mansion, it was enough.
She wondered if he would take the opportunity to occupy her room, or even worse, put her things in the storeroom.
She was somewhat hesitant, so much so that when the dim light fell over her head, she realized someone was standing in front of her. She looked up blankly, her heart skipped a beat, and she wondered why he had come.
"Breaking into the palace? Are you out of your mind?!" she thought to herself as she asked the question. The palace was far superior to the Prince of Dingxi's residence; it was heavily guarded and impregnable. Did he really think he could fly or disappear into the ground?
He was both angry and annoyed at her for not caring about him. Even if he had any other thoughts, he should wait until she returned home before discussing them.
She had not contacted Meng Qingshan, partly because she considered that he was new to the capital and had military achievements, but his foundation here was still shallow and there was nothing she could do about it, so she didn't want to cause him any trouble.
Although she had a vague sense of what he was thinking, she shouldn't have acted so... impulsively!
Meng Qingshan's pent-up frustration vanished in an instant upon hearing her coquettish rebuke, and that limp feeling returned, leaving him feeling dizzy and lightheaded, a flash of white light passing through his mind.
He watched as a strand of her hair, loosened in her haste, rippled across her face, her crimson lips trembled slightly, her eyes were moist and hazy through the mist, yet seemed to carry a thin layer of anger, and her cheeks were flushed, making her exceptionally radiant.
Meng Qingshan sat on a round stool, looked around, and saw that everything in the room was complete. He felt satisfied and content before slowly saying, "I came in openly and honestly."
After Qingli exclaimed in surprise, she realized that he was wearing armor, which was the uniform of the palace guards. Thinking of the familiar back she had seen a couple of days ago, and the meticulous care she had received since entering the palace, she realized that she had lost her composure in her haste, and her ears turned red with irritation.
All I could think about was how I had been determined to let go of so many things over the past six months, but reality was like a child's whining and lying, which only made me laugh.
It can't be taken seriously.
But she was serious, and after many failures, she gradually lost her sincerity.
Sometimes she would ask herself what she really felt, sometimes she would struggle and agonize, but she could never reach a conclusion. The two sides were locked in a battle, one going up and the other down. Sometimes she wanted to question him about whether he had done it back then. When she calmed down, she would think about whether she had been too radical, but she couldn't deceive herself with her feelings.
Even now, there's no sense of proportion; it just keeps swaying and splitting.
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