Chapter 113
Jiang Xing's birthday is in September. This was his first birthday celebration after he ascended the throne. The empress dowager attached great importance to it and prepared to make a grand celebration of it. Jiang Xing has already had his coming-of-age ceremony. That time, he secretly counted the days in his heart and shared his little secret with Lin Qingyu on his eighteenth birthday. Strictly speaking, this year is his 22nd birthday. There is nothing special about it except that he has reached the legal age for marriage in his hometown. In addition, a tough battle has just been fought in the northwest, and taxes in the south of the Yangtze River are being reformed, so the national treasury is empty at this time. Jiang Xing meant that it would be fine to just make do with the situation.
Hearing this, the Queen Mother was pleased and said, "The Emperor has understood so much and is even thinking about the national economy and people's livelihood." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, "The Emperor has really grown up."
Lin Qingyu said: "Master Guan taught me well."
The queen mother, who was usually vigorous and resolute, glowed with maternal radiance when she mentioned her son. Jiang Xing's small progress could move her to tears. People like Shen Huaishi and Xiao Cheng, Xi Rong and Xiao Jie, Xiao Li - or the soul-lost Jiang Xing, are the Queen Mother's biggest weaknesses.
It must be said that Jiang Xing's use of the relationship between the six people as the universal rule of "Huai Bu Shi Jun" is really brilliant. Lin Qingyu relied on the principle of one thing conquering another among the six people and made proper use of people's hearts, and only then did he and Jiang Xing step by step come to where they are today.
But people are never satisfied. In the past, the Queen Mother only hoped that her son would call her "Mother"; later, she hoped that he would be able to read and write like ordinary people. Now, what she is thinking about is that the emperor will take power as soon as possible and become a real emperor.
Although there was no precedent of an mentally ill emperor in Dayu, there was a young emperor, Emperor Yuwen. Emperor Yuwen ascended the throne at the age of seven and took power at the age of seventeen. During this period, his biological mother, Empress Dowager Xiaoen, was in charge of the government. After Emperor Yuwen grew up, Empress Dowager Xiaoen was reluctant to hand back power until Emperor Yuwen's wedding. The ministers were outraged and Empress Dowager Xiaoen was forced to compromise.
Thinking of this, the Queen Mother said: "The Emperor is not young anymore, it's time to pick a few suitable people to fill out his harem."
Lin Qingyu sneered: "Doesn't the Queen Mother think that the Emperor is still a child now? Mentally speaking, the Emperor is only ten years old."
The Queen Mother asked, "How can such a thing be calculated according to the age of the mind? According to what Minister Lin said, a person who is stupid all his life cannot marry and have children?"
Lin Qingyu said calmly: "I didn't say that. It's just that the matter of establishing a queen is a big deal. Does the queen mother have a suitable candidate?"
The Queen Mother selfishly wanted to strengthen the relationship and have the woman from the Wen family become the Queen. But even in front of Lin Qingyu, she couldn't show her intention too obviously: "The matter of establishing a queen naturally needs long-term planning. I think that we can let the emperor know about human affairs first... Qingyu, what do you think?"
She couldn't say much to Lin Qingyu about matters between men and women, so she just gave a brief introduction. Lin Qingyu is a smart man and would understand what she means.
Lin Qingyu did not comment: "Your Majesty, there is no need to ask for my opinion. I have no opinion."
The Queen Mother smiled and said, "In that case, I will order people to prepare it."
A few days later, a group of new people came to Xingqing Palace. Most of these people are young and beautiful palace maids in their prime, some are plump and some are thin, you can choose from them. They were all serving in the inner hall at the Queen Mother's orders. Jiang Xing acquiesced to this operation, but did not allow them to serve him personally. He only allowed them to serve tea and pour water.
Nanny Xiujiao got the order from the empress dowager and found an opportunity to speak in front of Jiang Xing: "Your Majesty, don't always let Xiao Songzi serve you alone. Xiao Songzi will get tired too." Nanny Xiujiao coaxed Jiang Xing like a child, "Look at that palace maid named Shi Wei. Isn't she pretty? Shi Wei also wants to serve Your Majesty."
Jiang Xing shook his head and brought up Master Guan. Children listen to their teachers the most. "The teacher said that there are differences between men and women. I can't let them get close to me."
Madam Xiujiao explained: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. All the people in the world belong to you. You don't have to differentiate between men and women."
Jiang Xing looked innocent: "Then is the Prime Minister also my man?"
Nanny Xiujiao was stunned and forced a smile: "Prime Minister Lin is different, he is the wife of General Gu."
Jiang Xing said, "But isn't General Gu already dead?"
Nanny Xiujiao was confused and changed the subject, "Why doesn't the emperor want Shiwei and the others to serve him?"
Jiang Xing frowned: "I don't like the smell of them. It makes me uncomfortable when I smell them, and it's even more uncomfortable when they touch me."
Madam Xiujiao turned pale and murmured, "How could this be?"
At this time, a slightly cold voice sounded: "What are you talking about?"
Nanny Xiujiao turned around and saw Lin Qingyu, and quickly bowed and saluted: "Prime Minister."
Lin Qingyu made a common courtesy to Jiang Xing and said to Nanny Xiujiao, "This is the time for the emperor to do his homework. Nanny, are you here in the Qinzheng Palace for something important?"
"I am here on the orders of the Queen Mother to bring some snacks to the Emperor."
It is well known that Lin Qingyu has a cold and arrogant personality, but he has always been polite and well-mannered in front of the Queen Mother. As the Queen Mother's confidant, Nanny Xiujiao was exposed to Lin Qingyu's slightly gentler side. At this moment, she could feel Lin Qingyu's gaze on her, and the pressure from the superior made it almost impossible for her to breathe. For the first time, she clearly realized that Lin Qingyu's ability to reach the position of head of all officials was not just due to his looks and luck.
Lin Qingyu said calmly: "Go back after you deliver it. Your Majesty is busy with schoolwork and has no time for idle chat."
"……yes."
As soon as Aunt Xiujiao left, Jiang Xing took off his childish mask and said with a smile, "The Prime Minister is here."
Lin Qingyu glanced at the snacks on the table: "Mammy, are you here to teach the Pope how to understand human affairs?"
"I don't need anyone to teach me." Jiang Xing yawned, "The Prime Minister has already taught me."
Lin Qingyu sneered: "I don't know how to do this skill, the emperor learned it by himself."
Jiang Xing expected Lin Qingyu to be in a bad mood, but fortunately he was prepared. He patted his legs and said, "Come and sit here, baby."
Lin Qingyu said coldly: "No, I won't sit down. I am very busy. There are a lot of memorials waiting for me to read."
Jiang Xing smiled: "Well, I've already helped you finish it."
Lin Qingyu was slightly startled: "Really?"
"If you don't believe it, you can check it out."
Lin Qingyu walked to the desk and flipped through a few books. As expected, there were blue comments from the cabinet in them. Looking at Jiang Xing again, he was yawning non-stop, looking like he hadn't gotten enough sleep. Lin Qingyu felt warm in his heart and took the initiative to apologize to Jiang Xing: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. But I..."
"I know you can't control yourself. It's okay, you look really good when you lose your temper." Jiang Xing took Lin Qingyu's hand and made him sit on his lap. "You've always wanted to study Gu techniques but just didn't have the time. I've invited the Southern Xinjiang genius doctor back to the capital, and you can have a 'Beijing Gu Discussion' with him in the next few days. As for the affairs of state, I'll help you handle them. If you're unsure, I'll ask you again."
Lin Qingyu looked at him quietly.
Jiang Xing asked: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lin Qingyu said softly: "I think you really like me." He knew how much Jiang Xing was afraid of being tired, but every time Jiang Xing suffered, it was for him.
Jiang Xing smiled: "You just found out." He raised his hand and touched Lin Qingyu's cheek with his fingertips, "Okay, go play, and come back early in the evening."
Being able to do what he wanted, Lin Qingyu was in a good mood: "Then I will take the doctor to the general's mansion to see the little poisonous insect."
Seeing Lin Qingyu's smiling face, Jiang Xing's sleepiness faded a lot. Lin Qingyu, who is obsessed with raising Gu, is so adorable. I want to sleep, but unfortunately I don’t have much time.
After Jiang Xing coaxed the beautiful woman who was acting like a spoiled child, he dozed off for a while. When he was about to pick up his pen to write another battle, Xiao Songzi served him some fresh tea: "Your Majesty, have a cup of tea to refresh yourself."
Jiang Xing was still thinking about Lin Qingyu, and said worriedly: "I hope I have coaxed Qingyu well."
Xiao Songzi said, "I think that Minister Lin will not be angry about such a small matter."
"You don't understand him. He will still be angry. He also knows that there is no need to be angry about such things, but he can't help it. He won't say it, but I must coax him."
Xiao Songzi didn't understand, but he was shocked: "Your Majesty is wise."
In Ci'an Palace, Nanny Xiujiao told the Empress Dowager everything about her conversation with the Emperor in Qinzheng Hall. The empress dowager also found it strange and vaguely guessed something, but she insisted that the emperor was too young mentally and did not understand these things, which was why he said such words.
Lai Fu suddenly blurted out: "Could it be that the emperor is..."
"What is it?"
"I dare not say it."
The Queen Mother said irritably, "Just say whatever you want to say."
Lai Fu said cautiously: "I dare to guess that the emperor is a born homosexual? Or... the kind of homosexual who cannot be with women."
The Queen Mother frowned and said sternly, "How dare you! Who allowed you to talk nonsense? Do you think it's too heavy to carry your brain?"
Since the founding of Dayu's dynasty, male homosexuality has been prevalent. The practice of marrying men’s wives started a few years ago, and now more and more men are marrying men’s wives. Most of these homosexuals are not restricted to men or women, but there are indeed some who are homosexual and cannot tolerate women.
The relationship between men is called "Duanxiu", and the relationship between women is also called "Mojing". The empress dowager thought of Emperor Wen's Princess Changle. Even though she was married, she would break out in cold sweats and vomit uncontrollably when she had sex with her husband. However, she would not have these problems at all when she was with a woman.
Lai Fu knelt down quickly and kowtowed repeatedly: "This slave deserves to die, this slave deserves to die."
The Queen Mother closed her eyes and said, "Wait another two years until the Emperor matures a little more."
Madam Xiu Jiao said thoughtfully, "The emperor likes beauties. Otherwise, why would he smile when he saw Prime Minister Lin when he was young? Prime Minister Lin has been with the emperor for the past two years. With Prime Minister Lin by his side, it is reasonable for the emperor to look down on other beauties."
The implication is that Lord Lin has raised the emperor's standards, and ordinary beauties are simply not worthy of his attention. However, looking around the capital, it is hard to find anyone who can compete with Lin Qingyu in appearance.
The Queen Mother thought about it and felt that what Madam Xiujiao said made some sense: "At the beginning, it was because the Imperial Master said that Minister Lin could help the Emperor recover that I allowed Minister Lin to live in the side hall of Xingqing Palace. Now that the Emperor is almost recovered from his illness, it would be inappropriate for Minister Lin to live in the Emperor's bedroom. To put it mildly, the relationship between Minister Lin and the Emperor is that of a cousin's sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, so they should avoid suspicion."
Madam Xiujiao echoed, "What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right."
The Queen Mother took a deep breath and said, "The Emperor is different from others in terms of mind. There is no need to rush this matter. We can only take it one step at a time."
In the blink of an eye, it was the emperor's birthday. Although Jiang Xing said that he would just make do with his birthday, it was after all the emperor's first birthday after ascending the throne, so the proper ceremony had to be held.
On this day, the palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, and there was constant singing and dancing. The palace maids and eunuchs happily wore new clothes, and the embroidery on their clothes all symbolized auspiciousness. When the auspicious time arrived, the emperor ascended the Hua'e Tower and received congratulations from all the officials.
Lin Qingyu, as the representative of all the officials, came with a cup in his hand, wishing the emperor great fortune and longevity.
Jiang Xing looked at Lin Qingyu with a smile on his face and bright eyes. He raised his glass and said, "Today is my birthday, and I feel like I have been reborn. All the past is just a prologue. Prime Minister, please be happy. Your old illness will heal, and everything will go well."
——Old illnesses will heal and everything will go well.
Lin Qingyu smiled faintly.
Yes, as long as the boy he loves is always by his side, no matter how painful his old illness was, it will heal one day.
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