Chapter 119 Timeline of the Splits (2) Changsun...
On Zhuque Street in Daxing City, there was once again the majesty of the imperial procession and the awe-inspiring reverence of the subjects.
Have you thought this through?
"I've thought it through."
"Why do you want to enter the palace? Once the nobles of the two capitals have forgotten about Husi Zheng's escape to Goguryeo, and forgotten about your uncle Gao Shilian's implicated fate, you will still be the daughter of Changsun Jisheng, the former Right General of the Valiant Guard, whom the emperor trusts most, and the cousin of Changsun Xiuming, the current Palace Attendant whom the emperor relies on most. You can still rely on your status as a noble from the north and a high-ranking family in Luoyang to become the wife of some young talent, without having to waste your youth in the deep palace. I haven't submitted my petition yet, so you can back out."
"Since the King of Shu was imprisoned and his wife divorced him and returned to the Xue State Mansion, our Changsun family has had no informants within the palace. Isn't this a sign of decline? If the Changsun clan doesn't take some steps to save itself, I'm afraid that within a few years, the path that Uncle Zhongguang, my father, and Uncle Xiuming have painstakingly paved for future generations will no longer be followed. For the sake of the family, I should volunteer to enter the palace, hoping for the prosperity of our family..."
"You don't regret it?" Changsun Chang picked up his pen one last time before the beautifully written memorial drafted by Changsun Minxing.
Li Shimin's handsome and resolute face flashed briefly before Changsun Qingjing's eyes. Then, that face, brimming with boundless joy and hope in his memory, blurred into a dark, rose-colored ash.
"No regrets!" she shouted, afraid that her uncle would suddenly change his mind, afraid that her maternal uncle would die far from home, afraid that Wuji would suddenly beg his friend to marry her and protect her, becoming a laughing stock, afraid that her maternal grandmother, mother and aunt would cry and stop her, and even more afraid that she would be weak-willed and back down.
"No regrets!" The solemn-looking uncle in front of me disappeared, leaving only the empty Taiji Palace and my insignificant self.
"Imperial Attendant, Imperial Attendant Changsun, wake up quickly." The lady-in-waiting beside her woke Changsun Qingjing.
Changsun Qingjing's forehead struck the window frame as the carriage swayed. In the midst of the intense pain, his uncle and the Taiji Palace both vanished.
"It must be because I've been too tired from preparing for the trip to Dongdu these past few days..." Changsun Qingjing exhaled a long breath of stale air from his dream, trying to justify his outburst.
"Cui Zhichang, could you check if my hair is disheveled?" Changsun Qingjing regained his composure and asked his deputy with a smile.
Cui Zhichang tidied Changsun Qingjing's hair and then took out a small bronze mirror, no bigger than the palm of his hand, from his bosom.
Changsun Qingjing looked at himself in the mirror for a moment, thanked Cui Zhichang, and then lifted the curtain to let in some fresh air.
“That’s Prince Qi Jian, the younger brother of the late Crown Prince Yuande.” Cui Zhichang’s face flushed slightly as he pointed to the young prince on a tall horse in the distance. “Before entering the palace, you must have heard rumors about him…”
Of course I had heard about it before.
If he were to ascend the throne, although it would not conform to the patriarchal system, it might not necessarily be a bad choice for the country and its people. She even once suggested that Li Shimin try to submit to and pledge allegiance to this prince who was skilled in military affairs.
Unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick on him; he did not strive to gain merit in supporting the emperor, while she, by a twist of fate, met the King of Qi before him.
For the long-term benefit of her family, she should perhaps meet with this King Qi. She has already done a favor for the King of Yan, and no one else would criticize her.
Before the emperor makes a final choice between his sons and grandsons, it is a wise strategy for his subordinates to play both sides.
However, the most urgent task is to find a way to end Gao Shilian's exile as soon as possible. It would be safer to keep the Emperor and Empress in check. If things are rushed and the Empress suspects that he has ulterior motives, it would be disastrous.
She thought she had done a good job, and even if her father were alive, he couldn't find anything wrong with it.
When Changsun Chang submitted his memorial, Emperor Yang Guang probably remembered Changsun Sheng's contributions to the country, so he specially ordered Empress Xiao to handle the Changsun family's request. Empress Xiao ordered the former palace maid Ma Chengxin to come and investigate in person. Surprisingly, the older Ma Chengxin and the younger Changsun Qingjing got along very well.
In just a few months, Prince Yang Tan of Yan nearly lost his life along with his grandfather on their way back to Xijing due to the riots in Luoyang. Upon arriving in Daxing, he fell seriously ill and could not be cured by any medicine. Fortunately, the newly appointed Chief Minister Changsun Qingjing strongly recommended Sun Simiao to treat him, and Yang Tan was saved.
This was a tremendous contribution to the country, and within a month, Changsun Qingjing was promoted from Zhizhang to Fengyu.
Of course, she first had to remain calm and accompany the Empress in happy banquets and singing for several months before slowly talking about her uncle who had once been on good terms with Crown Prince Yuande.
The Empress's love for her deceased eldest son is beyond doubt. Using this love as a starting point to appeal for her uncle's injustice and helplessness, and in order to win the Empress's sympathy, is part of Changsun Qingjing's rescue plan.
Let's take it slow. She wants to rest.
Cui Zhichang's mind, however, was like a suddenly gushing hot spring, recalling things he had almost forgotten during his busy period. His persistent desire to share overwhelmed Changsun Qingjing.
“Feng Yu, he secretly inquired about you from me,” Cui Zhichang said with a smile, covering his mouth.
"Who?" Changsun Qingjing handed the small bronze mirror back to Cui Zhichang and asked warily.
"King Qi," Cui Zhichang said, leaning closer to Changsun Qingjing, "of course, he spoke in high-sounding terms, only praising Changsun Fengyu for sharing the Emperor and Empress's burdens, and for recommending the physician Sun Simiao, who cured the Prince of Yan's chronic illness. As the Prince of Yan's uncle, he should naturally thank Fengyu in person. Oh, and he also curiously inquired about the positions of Fengyu's father and brothers, and what Fengyu's hobbies were..."
Some of the palace ladies and concubines consistently spoke highly of Prince Qi, a result of his long-term efforts. Cui Zhichang, however, did not take Prince Qi's question as a warning, but simply felt that Prince Qi needed to find a new ally in the harem.
not good!
Some people are grateful to Changsun Qingjing because of this, some people value Changsun Qingjing because of this, and some people hate and despise Changsun Qingjing because of this.
No, she needed to find a way to ease the inexplicably tense relationship with the Prince of Qi, even though they hadn't even met many times, she had already been labeled as the Prince of Yan's close confidant.
Just as she was feeling uneasy, the lady-in-waiting and the eunuch sent by the Empress were already standing beside her carriage.
"What happened up ahead? Why did the convoy suddenly stop?" Changsun Qingjing lifted the curtain and asked.
"His Majesty ordered a slow journey, saying he wanted to bid farewell to the elders along the way," the eunuch replied, his tone laced with amusement and sarcasm.
"Speaking of which, His Majesty last bid farewell to the elders of Xijing three months ago," Cui Zhichang said bluntly. The young people inside and outside the carriage couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm afraid they'll have to plunder the people of Wannian and Daxing counties again, forcing them to pay tribute voluntarily before they'll stop," Changsun Qingjing thought to himself, full of resentment.
"Your Excellency, the Empress has given instructions," the lady-in-waiting said, bowing.
Changsun Qingjing quickly got off the carriage.
"His Highness said that the Imperial Attendant is loyal to the country and shares His Highness's burdens. At present, His Majesty is bidding farewell to the elders. If the Imperial Attendant's family also comes to see off the imperial carriage, the Imperial Attendant may say goodbye to them." Every word the lady-in-waiting said resonated with Changsun Qingjing.
"Your Highness, I thank you. I will obey your instructions." After expressing her gratitude loudly, Changsun Qingjing hurriedly ran into the crowd to find her family.
Wuji will definitely come looking for her! Wuji won't abandon her!
Changsun Qingjing searched for every young face along the way and finally found Changsun Wuji anxiously waiting under a large banner.
"Guanyinbi!" Changsun Wuji cried with joy, unable to resist grasping his sister's hand. "Uncle said you've been promoted very quickly, and seeing you today, I can see that your demeanor is indeed different from when you were at home. Now my sister is a fifth-rank female official..."
"Has Mother's illness flared up again?" Changsun Qingjing asked anxiously.
“Mother is fine, but Grandmother caught a slight cold, and Aunt is having some miscarriage problems. She doesn't want anything to happen to her family, so she's been taking care of them constantly.” Changsun Wuji took out a letter and placed it in Changsun Qingjing's hand. “She said she was afraid I'd forget important things if I saw you, so she wrote down everything she wanted to tell you in the letter…”
"Alright, I'll go back to the carriage and take a closer look." Changsun Qingjing rubbed his eyes, put away the letter, looked around, and asked, "Where is Brother Minxing?"
"Master Lu has passed away. He is in mourning for his teacher and cannot come here. So I came on his behalf to see off Changsun Fengyu. Dazhi and Dahui have also come. I don't know where they went to look for you. They said that now your aunt is a fifth-rank noblewoman, and she got there through her own talent and learning. She is better than us men..." Li Shimin suddenly appeared from behind Changsun Wuji and said calmly, "Changsun's wife, are you well?"
"Young Master Li, thankfully." She replied in the same calm tone, "I am relieved that you are with my brother."
It's so strange. It's only been three months since they last met, but it feels like a lifetime has passed.
“When Shimin returned to Daxing, I was on my way to Luokou with my uncle, and you had already entered the palace. Thanks to his careful handling of the family affairs, the three elder female relatives were not humiliated again.” Changsun Wuji sighed, “My brother is incompetent, but fortunately I have my virtuous sister and confidante. Heaven has been kind to me.”
"Thank you for your great kindness, young master." Changsun Qingjing bowed deeply to Li Shimin, but his heart was churning with turbulent emotions.
He talked to her about everything in the letter, and asked her several times if she had taken a courtesy name. Perhaps he really was planning to propose to her at the right time!
And that withered peony, it held so much of her joy and tears.
There's no going back now.
Cui Zhichang suddenly interrupted the brief meeting between the brother and sister, introducing Changsun Qingjing to two female scribes from the Qi Prince's residence.
Just as Changsun Wuji was about to remind his sister, "The palace is treacherous; be careful," a female attendant placed a large bouquet of red peonies in Changsun Qingjing's arms: "His Majesty says that the peonies in the Qi Prince's palace's fire chamber cannot compare to those in Ziwei City. However, Changsun Qingjing serves the Empress with utmost devotion, bringing comfort to her son who is often far from his mother. His Majesty has no way to repay this kindness, so he can only offer this humble gift to bring a smile to Changsun Qingjing's face..."
"Thank you for your trouble," Changsun Qingjing replied politely. "Please convey to the King that serving the Empress is my duty. These winter flowers are too precious; I will certainly express my gratitude in person later."
Out of politeness, she pretended to lean forward and take a deep sniff of the peony, an exaggerated gesture that King Qi in the distance must have seen clearly. She then reached out and stroked the flower.
"Watch out for thorns!" Li Shimin warned, staring at Changsun Qingjing's slender fingers.
"It's alright, the thorns have all been removed by the gardeners. Your Majesty can enjoy it without worry." Cheng Yi pointed to Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin and asked, "Who are these two gentlemen...?"
“My elder brother,” Changsun Qingjing replied with a smile, not wanting to explain further.
"What a coincidence, how wonderful."
Cheng Yi was overjoyed to receive Changsun Qingjing's confirmation that she was willing to befriend Yang Jian, and upon seeing her family, she ordered her servants to bring fine wine, opened the gift box, and took out three golden cups.
"His Majesty also said that Imperial Censor Changsun is going to the Eastern Capital and does not know when he will be able to see his family again. His farewell banquet should not be a perfunctory affair."
Having said that, Chengyi ordered the maid to bring out the wine pot and then had someone bring out a small table and place it in front of everyone.
Cheng Yi poured the three of them some Xie Lu wine, said "Please," and then quietly left.
Following the direction indicated by Cui Zhichang, Changsun Qingjing saw that Yang Jian had dismounted. He also held a cup, indicating that he would drink with Changsun Qingjing, Changsun Wuji, and Li Shimin.
The four of them understood each other without saying a word and drank the Xielu wine in one gulp.
The long, elaborate procession of French officers began to loosen and move forward again.
The eldest grandson and his sister had to separate again.
"Take care of yourself."
"careful."
He really couldn't think of a more appropriate way to put it.
Changsun Qingjing chuckled softly, her nose stinging with tears: "Farewell!"
She picked up the excessively large bouquet of peonies, told Cui Zhichang to put away his cup and saucer, and returned to the car.
Li Shimin watched as the rose-grey curtains were swallowed up by an even more magnificent array of banners. Only the blood-red peony by the carriage window lingered in his heart, poignant, helpless, bloody, and filled with a sense of bleak future...
Author's Note: Yang Jian: Thank you, Director Yu, for the role arrangement this time. Now everyone should know who the main force was in relieving the siege of Yanmen, right? Who was it that held off the Turks at Guoxian? It was me, it was me, not that brat who always boasted about having three thousand feint troops!
Ah Jing: I thought I was going to have to act out a romantic storyline with an old man. I could only console myself that having money and power is enough. But now, this is a huge boon!
Erfeng: Director Yu, don't you have a conscience?
Director Fish: Didn't I also give you a Cupid little golden cup?
Erfeng: I @#￥%&*&%￥#@
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