The beauty is still young, but the love is gone

"Do you really have to force me into such an unjust and cruel place?"

Ji Mingxiu's brows were cold as he turned aside to avoid Su Yuanbai's kneeling. This was his teacher, and even as a monarch, he could not accept such an important gift.

But he did not step forward to help Su Yuanbai up. This almost coercive action severely touched the defense line in his heart.

"Am I forcing Your Majesty?"

Su Yuanbai raised his head and looked directly at Ji Mingxiu, his straight back full of stubborn pride and his eyes filled with unspeakable sorrow.

"Since the founding of the country, the position of Shangshu Ling was only established during the reign of Emperor Gao. How can I be worthy of such an important position? Your Majesty has promoted me to this position. Where do you put me, Your Majesty, and where do you put yourself?"

This is not only for himself, but also for His Majesty. The previous dynasty had many officials, many capable ones, and various forces were intertwined. Once His Majesty opened his mouth, how would it end in the future?

Su Yuanbai believed that His Majesty would understand this. Would His Majesty rather bear the pressure from the civil and military officials than keep him by his side?

He knew that he was much older than His Majesty, and he had never thought that such a day would come since he took that step.

only……

"Why?"

Why? Ji Mingxiu asked himself this question over and over again.

The teacher clearly had no intention of pursuing a career in politics, but he was still willing to come out and help him manage the overall situation; Gu Zi'an clearly could have lived a peaceful life in Tiandu, but he was willing to join the army and go to war to defend the country.

He didn't quite understand the word love before. He thought it was just like what was written in books, about vows of love and unyielding loyalty, as if he could give up everything for the word love. But when he really touched the edge of love, he realized that it was just one of the seven emotions and six desires, fragile and thin, and could not withstand the slightest storm.

Even though there are so many heavy and unspeakable things, it cannot hide the claws of interests that are ready to make a move.

Su Yuanbai has been the prince's tutor for many years. What is he waiting for?

Gu Zi'an personally led the army that General Gu once led. What was he thinking?

Ji Mingxiu couldn't suppress his suspicion. These doubts had been deeply rooted in his heart since he couldn't sleep at night.

Now he finally understood that love and profit are intertwined, just like how he treats Gu Zi'an.

There are thousands of words to say, but there is only one thing I can say.

“It doesn’t make sense.”

Since friendship is something so difficult to control, it is better to have entanglements based solely on interests, which are ruthless but easy to control.

"Since the Imperial Master likes to kneel so much, then kneel down."

Ji Mingxiu didn't dare to look again and turned to leave the hall.

I wonder, will the teacher be disappointed?

Taught him such a student.

*

The wind in Tiandu has always been strong. Within a day, the news of the discord between the Imperial Preceptor and His Majesty had reached the ears of all the civil and military officials in Tiandu.

Many people were pondering and thinking about this in their hearts, but Ji Mingxiu had no intention of guessing.

He looked at Concubine Ji, who was dressed in plain clothes in front of him, and felt a little dazed.

She was no more than thirty years old, yet she looked like a withered flower, revealing a quiet and dead silence.

"Your Majesty, I know why you came today."

Although Concubine Ji was talking, she did not look at Ji Mingxiu. She just lowered her head and stroked the white cat in her arms.

"I am just a woman. From the moment I entered the palace, have I ever had a mother's family?"

"Of course I believe in the Concubine."

Ji Mingxiu did believe that she would not have any connection with the previous dynasty, but he did not believe in Concubine Ji as a woman, but believed in the methods of his father.

When my father was alive, the concubines were all law-abiding and never heard of any disputes. This was certainly not because my father knew people well or because the concubines had no intention of competing for favor.

But it’s because my father is ruthless enough.

Just like Concubine Ji in front of us, although she was favored for a while, everyone knew that she would not have her own children.

None of the concubines in the harem can have children.

"But even if I have this intention, I still need to obey the people."

"His Majesty."

Concubine Ji raised her head, with a faint, joyless smile on her face. Ji Mingxiu finally saw her eyes clearly, which were very different from the pure and clear eyes in his memory. These eyes were like a pool of stagnant water covered with heavy fog, making it difficult for him to see where they were flowing.

"I am too exhausted to move. I am sorry to trouble Your Majesty."

Ji Mingxiu wanted to say something, but Qiu Ling quietly tugged at his sleeve.

She herself no longer wanted to argue about anything, and it didn't matter what others said.

"In that case, then Toffee, have a good rest."

Ji Mingxiu turned and left. Behind him, the voice of Concubine Ji suddenly became louder and more mournful.

"Has your majesty been to Changning Palace?"

Changning Palace? That was his mother's bedroom.

Ji Mingxiu felt puzzled and turned to look at Concubine Ji who was leaning on the couch.

"His Majesty!"

Before he could come to his senses, the white cat swooped over with a sharp, chilling cry.

Ji Mingxiu closed his eyes subconsciously, and when he opened them again, it was Qiu Ling standing in front of him.

His sight passed Qiu Ling, and on the soft couch, Concubine Ji was still wearing the same plain clothes, with her eyes closed and silent.

A trickle of blood quietly flowed from the corner of her lips.