Chapter 40 Opportunity
Although Song Ge had some guesses before, he never expected that His Majesty would point out the matter so bluntly, and for a moment he didn't know how to react.
The Marquis of Jing'an has always been loyal to His Majesty, acting as a loyal subject. Even now, even with his connection to the Imperial Concubine, he has never considered placing the entire fate of the Song family on her shoulders. After all, the Imperial Concubine is not pregnant yet, and His Majesty is in her prime, leaving the future uncertain.
But His Majesty spoke so bluntly because he wanted to tie the Marquis of Jing'an firmly to the Imperial Concubine's boat and leave them no way out.
Brother Song had led troops in battle in the past and was well aware of the importance of timing. His Majesty had now practically handed him the opportunity to restore the glory of the Jing'an Marquisate. Although this path had risks, the rewards were considerable.
So he hesitated for only a moment before accepting it firmly.
"I will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust."
Chen Dingyao smiled faintly. "Since the Imperial Concubine has such a close relationship with the Marquis of Jing'an, I will certainly not treat your family unfairly. I know you are quite capable in military affairs, and I would like to offer you the opportunity to join the Xuanwu Army for training. Do you have the courage to accept this challenge?"
Song Ge looked up in surprise and clenched his fists excitedly.
The Xuanwu Army is the most powerful army in Your Majesty's hands. It has fought with Your Majesty on the battlefield and is worthy of being the national defender of Daliang. If you have the opportunity to join the Xuanwu Army, even if you start as the smallest soldier, you will die without regrets.
"I am willing to accept it!"
Chen Dingyao clapped his hands and laughed. "Very well, I was right in choosing you. I will give you this opportunity. How far you can go depends on your ability." He then changed the subject, "However, I do not wish to see the brother I carefully selected for your concubine turn out to be incompetent."
He was confident that he could protect Chan Zhen during his lifetime, but he was much older than Chan Zhen after all, so he had to plan his own funeral for Chan Zhen in advance.
His biggest concern was Yun Yi. Yun Yi's scheming and cunning were similar to his own, and he was also extremely skilled at forbearance. In his previous life, he had suppressed him for years, yet he still had the energy to raise an army to force the emperor to abdicate. His behavior at the banquet had also revealed some of his feelings for Chan Zhen. While he was in power, he could firmly suppress Yun Yi, but in his death, there was no guarantee of what Yun Yi would do. In his previous life, he had been able to seize his son's concubine from his father, and in this life, Yun Yi would have the courage to do the same. He never doubted this.
Yun Yi was, after all, his most cherished prince. He also harbored a degree of guilt for his actions in his previous life, preventing him from being as ruthless as he had been toward the others. If Song Ge could be trained as a pawn to control Yun Yi, Chan Zhen would have a greater degree of security. Furthermore, Song Ge possessed considerable abilities, was extremely loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and had made numerous military achievements in the northwest in his previous life. It would be a shame not to actively cultivate him.
Song Ge understood the hidden meaning of His Majesty, but he was not afraid because of it. Instead, he was full of fighting spirit.
His ancestor was also from the Xuanwu Army and had followed Emperor Taizu to conquer the entire country. As a descendant, how could he allow himself to fall into depravity? Since His Majesty has given him the opportunity, he must seize it and recreate the glory of his ancestors.
After the two of them finished their discussion, they left together to go to Mrs. Wei's courtyard to look for someone.
Chan Zhen was having a pleasant conversation with Madam Wei. When he saw the two of them coming, he greeted them with a smile.
"Your Majesty, have you finished discussing important matters with your brother?" She stepped forward and took His Majesty's hand very naturally.
Madam Wei's lips moved at her bold behavior, but she stopped when she saw that His Majesty had no intention of blaming her. She was surprised that the relationship between His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine was just like that of an ordinary couple, perhaps even more intimate and natural, making her feel embarrassed to interrupt.
Chen Dingyao smiled as soon as he saw her: "Well, it's over. How are Chan Zhen and Madam Wei getting along?"
He took Song Ge away not only to discuss important matters with Song Ge, but also to leave space for Chan Zhen and Madam Wei to be alone together. If he were present, Madam Wei would surely be very uncomfortable.
Chan Zhen's eyes were curved like two small crescent moons, with stars swimming around in them, flashing tiny lights.
"My mother treated me very well."
"That's good," he patted her little head and turned to Madam Wei with a look of respect in his eyes. "I want to thank Madam Wei for your care for Chan Zhen."
Madam Wei was stunned for a moment before she smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, I would also like to thank you for sending the Imperial Concubine to my side."
Seeing that Chan Zhen was much more cheerful than when he first arrived, Chen Dingyao knew that this was definitely due to Madam Wei. In his previous life, Chan Zhen had a weak relationship with the Song family and had never been carefully cared for by his biological parents. In this life, he finally made up for it.
As noon approached, Chan Zhen, at the invitation of Madam Wei, stayed with His Majesty for dinner.
Knowing that Chan Zhen was from Jiangnan, Mrs. Wei specially invited a chef from Jiangnan to come to her house. One after another of Jiangnan famous dishes with good color, fragrance and taste were served on the table. Although she didn't taste them, the thoughtfulness was enough to move her.
Madam Wei hadn't anticipated His Majesty's presence, or even the thought of sitting at the same table with her. She felt a little uneasy, unsure whether the meal would please His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine. Song Ge's expression was also stiff, not daring to pick up his chopsticks first.
Zen Zhen wanted to ease the atmosphere at the table, so he took the initiative to pick up a fish fillet and put it into His Majesty's bowl.
"Your Majesty, this is my favorite fish fillet with lotus leaves. Can you please check how it tastes for me?"
Chen Dingyao readily picked up the chopsticks and put the dish into his mouth. After tasting it carefully, he nodded and said, "It's delicate and smooth, and tastes very good." After that, he picked up another piece and put it into Chanzhen's bowl, looking at her with a smile.
After receiving His Majesty's affirmation, Song Ge and his mother both breathed a sigh of relief.
Zen Zhen didn't immediately pick up the fish slices from the bowl. Instead, he smiled at the mother and son and said, "Since Your Majesty said it tastes good, it must be a rare delicacy. Mother and brother have been busy all day, so why not try some together?"
After saying this, she looked at His Majesty, knowing that he was the one in charge of the table, and without his permission, Song Ge and his mother would not dare to pick up their chopsticks.
Chen Dingyao naturally agreed to her request and nodded slightly to Song Ge and his mother. "Today is just a family dinner. Madam Wei and Mr. Song don't need to be restrained."
Mrs. Wei and Song Ge looked at each other before picking up their chopsticks, but they only reached for the food closest to them.
Chan Zhen knew that these rules ingrained in the aristocratic families could not be changed in a short time, so he did not force the mother and son to have more freedom, but just finished the meal with His Majesty as usual.
Because they had to rush back to the palace, Zenzhen and His Majesty did not stay any longer after the meal.
Song Ge and his mother watched His Majesty leave until the phoenix carriage was submerged in the rolling yellow dust, and then they turned around and returned home.
Madam Wei was not like other women who only cared about managing domestic affairs. She often discussed political affairs with her son, so she asked him about what she had talked about with His Majesty before.
Song Ge knew that his mother was always decisive, so he dismissed the servants and told her in detail about the emperor's plan.
Madam Wei raised her eyebrows in surprise: "Your Majesty actually thinks so deeply about the Imperial Concubine."
She originally thought that His Majesty's intention to make the noble concubine the empress was shocking enough, but she didn't expect that His Majesty would even intend to entrust the throne only to the noble concubine's son. This was more than just favoritism, it was truly a deep affection that was admirable.
"My son was also shocked at the time." Song Ge sighed, "Parents who love their children plan for them in the long run. Your Majesty's thoughts on the Imperial Concubine are even more profound than a parent's love."
Madam Wei glanced at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How can the relationship between His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine be compared to that between father and son?"
Song Ge sneered and scratched his hair embarrassedly: "Son, I was just making an analogy."
In his heart, he was glad that he had not said this in front of His Majesty. If His Majesty had heard it, he might have thought that he was mocking the big age difference between His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine.
"I think you should be arrested for your poetry and literature, in addition to your martial arts," Madam Wei advised helplessly. "Since His Majesty has given you the opportunity to join the Xuanwu Army, you must seize the opportunity to strengthen your training and not bring shame to our Jing'an Marquisate. From now on, many people in the court will be watching you. You must be more careful with your words and actions and not give them any handles."
"Mother is right. I will work harder." Song Ge was not annoyed by his mother's lecture. He had always believed that if she were not a woman, she would have achieved achievements comparable to his. Therefore, he had always respected and admired her since childhood. "I saw that you had a very pleasant conversation with the Imperial Concubine today. I think the Imperial Concubine must have caught your eye."
Madam Wei sighed softly, "I used to be prejudiced against the Imperial Concubine, but I was wrong. The Imperial Concubine is truly a rare and good child, and this time, it's our Jing'an Marquisate that has taken advantage of her. Yue Ming, since the Imperial Concubine is now the daughter of our Jing'an Marquisate, no matter what happens from now on, we must firmly stand by her. It's not right for us to rise to prominence through her grace and then do nothing in return."
"Don't worry, mother. I will treat you as my own sister."
Upon hearing her son's assurance, Madam Wei nodded in satisfaction. "Mother has taught you since childhood the principles of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and how to conduct yourself. This is not a betrayal of your father's trust before his death. Yue Ming, you have been doing very well. Mother was worried that you would be too lonely supporting the Marquisate after I left. Now you have the Imperial Concubine by your side, and you are fortunate."
Song Ge hurriedly stopped her: "Whatever mother said, whether it's mother or the imperial concubine, your son will protect her."
Mrs. Wei just smiled and said nothing. She believed that her son was capable of taking on the responsibility of being the head of the family.
…
After leaving the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion, Chan Zhen got on the phoenix carriage and looked back several times with reluctance. His Majesty felt a little jealous at his lingering look.
He embraced Chan Zhen from behind and said in a low voice, "Is Chan Zhen so reluctant to leave?"
After all, they had been together for a long time, so Zen Zhen easily heard the jealousy in his words and pushed him away with a helpless smile.
"Aren't these the family members that His Majesty personally selected for me? Could it be that His Majesty is jealous of even this?"
Chen Dingyao did not deny it and continued to pester her and joke with her: "Even if I have a family, I must still be the first in Chan Zhen's heart."
Zen Zhen was so pestered that he raised his head and kissed him on the lips, coaxing him, "Yes, Your Majesty is the first in my heart. Is Your Majesty happy with this?"
"Yeah, I'm happy." He said readily.
Zen Zhen sighed inwardly.
Why is His Majesty becoming more and more childish in front of her, always jealous? Who is the emperor and who is the concubine? Shouldn't she be the one who feels more insecure? Besides His Majesty, there are no other men around her. Why is His Majesty so frightened, as if she will abandon him and run away one day?
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