Chapter 52 What kind of person do you take me for? ...
The Prince Rong's attempt to force the emperor to abdicate ended in failure, but it caused a huge uproar in the previous dynasty.
On the day of the uprising outside Fengtian Gate, the Tiger Guard and the Golden Guard were shot dead on the spot. The Rong Prince's cronies were everywhere in the court and the country. The Ning family's Zhaowu General Ning Heng and his lineage were raided and imprisoned. Dozens of officials who had secretly assisted him were also exposed one by one. The Embroidered Uniform Guard searched the whole city, causing panic among the people.
By the end of June, a major reshuffle of officials from the previous dynasty had taken place. Ning Su, the deputy commander of the Tiger Guard, was beheaded and his head displayed to the public. Ning Heng was exiled thousands of miles away. Although Ning Sheng, the elder brother of Consort Li and the Minister of Revenue, did not participate in the uprising, all members of the Ning clan who held official positions in the court were demoted three ranks. Consort Ning, the birth mother of Prince Rong, who was already imprisoned in the palace, was also given poisoned wine and killed.
As for Prince Xuan, although he could take the opportunity to shift the blame for the collapse of the palace built by the Ministry of Works onto Prince Rong, the collapse of the Ning family's century-old foundation overnight was also a heavy blow to him, and he felt even more resentful towards Prince Rong.
Originally, with Prince Rong imprisoned, the Ning family's power would naturally lean towards him. However, he recklessly rebelled, dragging down the entire Ning clan and leaving him with a severed arm, making his situation in the court increasingly difficult.
That night, King Xuan secretly went to see his uncle Ning Sheng, and the two talked in detail under the lamp.
Ning Sheng sighed, "Don't be discouraged. Among these princes, you still have the best chance of winning. After all, you still have the support of the Grand Secretary Fu Min behind the Princess Consort. Fu Min is highly respected and holds a prominent position among civil officials, so he will naturally help you."
King Xuan said, “It’s just a pity that my uncle has been implicated. If I become the crown prince in the future, I will make sure that my uncle is reinstated to his original position as soon as possible and that the Ning family can regain its former glory.”
Ning Sheng pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said, "There's no rush. His Majesty has been delaying in establishing an heir, and no one can fathom his thoughts now. However, no matter how long he can hold out, he will eventually hand over the throne to you young people. As long as you behave yourself, act with propriety, and conduct yourself properly, the Fu family will pave the way for you."
King Xuan clenched his fist and nodded in agreement.
Since the incident surrounding Princess Rouyi's birthday, Princess Xuan noticed that Prince Xuan's attitude towards her had become much gentler.
He would accompany her to meals and to admire flowers, and when she drowned her sorrows in alcohol, he would hold her hand and snuggle up to her to relieve her distress. Their intimate moments became more and more frequent.
Perhaps this is what is meant by "getting back into the swing of things".
Princess Xuan knew in her heart that he could only rely on the power of the Fu family now. Although she felt bitter, she thought about it again and realized that this was why they had initially married.
It's simply a matter of getting what one desires, so what is there to complain about?
Even her maidservant could see it clearly and advised her to take this opportunity to conceive a child as soon as possible, which would benefit both herself and both families.
Even to this night, King Xuan, drunk, lay on top of her, mumbling incoherently, "In my drunken stupor, my soul vanishes, the spring breeze... the two Qiao sisters..."
Princess Xuan froze, then suddenly realized what was happening.
She gripped the thin quilt tightly, clenched her teeth, and tears silently streamed down her face.
It turned out that he had never had any feelings for her; his heart was still set on the two daughters of the Chi family, whom he could not openly welcome into his mansion.
...
In early July, the case of Prince Rong's coup gradually subsided, and Emperor Yongcheng relied more and more on Prince Zhao and the Imperial Preceptor Dongyangzi.
On this day, Yan Xue was summoned to the palace again, intending to hand over a case of corruption and dereliction of duty by an official from the previous dynasty to the Northern Garrison for trial.
Yan Xuecui politely declined, saying, "Father, if I take on everything, what will be the point of the Three Judicial Offices in the court?"
Emperor Yongcheng said helplessly, "The capable should do more work. These officials have many connections behind them, and it is inevitable that they will protect each other. If we hand it over to the Three Judicial Offices, I'm afraid it will drag on for half a year without any results. I can rest assured if I entrust the matter to you."
Yan Xuecui smiled and said, "It is my great honor to be able to share the burden for Father Emperor, but please don't forget that I am blind and there are many things I am powerless to do."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongcheng couldn't help but feel melancholy.
It was a pity that he had lost his sight, which was like a eagle with its wings broken. But it was precisely because of his blindness that Emperor Yongcheng dared to give him important responsibilities and was not afraid that he would develop disloyal intentions.
As for his eye ailment, Emperor Yongcheng had tried to assess it, but Imperial Physician Lin consistently claimed that it was difficult to recover, and the other imperial physicians he sent also said that there was no improvement.
"I will find another way to summon talented people from all over the world to treat you, so you don't need to be too depressed."
Yan Xuecui smiled and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
Emperor Yongcheng pondered for a moment, then sighed and said, "Fine, since you are unwilling, I will first hand these cases over to the Court of Judicial Review for trial. If there is no progress, I will ask for your help then."
Yan Xue nodded in agreement.
Emperor Yongcheng: "We owe a great deal to you in the case of Prince Rong. Speaking of which, I have not yet rewarded you. Is there anything you wish to receive?"
Yan Xuecui pursed her lips and said, "Father, will you grant all my requests?"
Emperor Yongcheng narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a hint of sharpness. He stared at him silently for a moment before finally smiling and saying, "Tell me what you have to say."
Yan Xuecui said, "The summer heat is approaching, and I wish to take the Princess Consort to the mountain villa for a month to escape the heat. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."
Emperor Yongcheng's tense lips relaxed slightly, and he laughed loudly upon hearing this: "You certainly know how to enjoy leisure! Other officials only get to return to their hometowns to visit their families once every few years, and the long journey takes no more than two or three months. You've only been in office for a short time, and you're already asking to take a month off?"
Yan Xue Cui lowered her eyes and said, "My eyes do indeed need to be treated."
Emperor Yongcheng had no choice but to agree.
Over the years, Yan Xuecui has gradually developed a set of rules for dealing with Emperor Yongcheng. He must never show ambition or try to seize power. He should appropriately relinquish power and adopt an attitude of being indifferent to power and living a carefree life. Although Emperor Yongcheng may appear dissatisfied on the surface, he is actually very pleased with this.
Upon returning to her residence, Yan Xuecui intended to have people prepare for her trip to the hot spring resort, but then she learned that Chi Yinggui had just arrived.
Inside the Shuyu Studio, Chi Ying curled up on the bed, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, her face extremely pale.
Ever since she got caught in the rain in the mountains when she had her first period, her menstrual cycle has been irregular. Every time it comes, she suffers from unbearable abdominal pain, which is not relieved by drinking ginger soup.
The sound of a bamboo cane and footsteps approached from behind her ears. Knowing that it was Prince Zhao returning, she struggled to sit up and said, "Your Highness."
Yan Xuecui heard that her voice was so weak it sounded like she was in pain, so she immediately told her to lie down and not move. "Didn't you ask Imperial Physician Lin to come and take a look?"
Chi Ying said it was nothing: "It's been like this all along, and the medicine hasn't been effective. I'll be fine after resting for a couple of days."
As they spoke, the man put down his bamboo cane and lay down beside her.
A warm hand suddenly covered her lower abdomen, and Chi Ying trembled in surprise. She hurriedly said, "I cannot serve Your Highness tonight. Why don't you go to Yan Gui Lou to settle down?"
Yan Xuecui sighed helplessly and gently nibbled at her earlobe with her teeth. "What kind of person do you take me for, hmm?"
Chi Ying felt a ticklish sensation on her earlobe, and she shrank back, shrugging her shoulders. She then felt his warm palm gently caressing her lower abdomen, and his deep, clear voice whispered in her ear, "Where does it hurt? Here?"
Chi Ying felt a warmth seep into her clothes, soothing her skin like a heater, and nodded gently: "Mmm."
Yan Xuecui then slowly massaged that spot, the pressure from her fingertips just right, neither too light nor too heavy.
Chi Ying was still not used to being taken care of by him, so she pressed his wrist and said, "Your Highness... how about I do it myself?"
Yan Xuecui heard her gasps of pain, and through her blurred vision, she could almost see her excessively pale face. "If you could rub it yourself, would you be in so much pain?"
Chi Ying then fell silent. Thinking of how many times she had worked so hard to help him, each time for more than half an hour, she felt at ease letting him serve her.
She had been tormented by her period all day and was feeling quite tired. Under the warm embrace of his palm, the pain in her abdomen gradually subsided, her body relaxed, and her eyelids slowly closed.
When she woke up again, she found herself facing him instead of with her back to him, and he was still holding her in his arms, his large palms resting on her lower back.
When menstruation occurs, the lower back is also very sore, but under the warmth of his palms, the pain gradually subsides.
But... she looked down at her lower abdomen. In her sleep, she had thought there was a hot water bottle placed in front of her, but it wasn't...
She bit her lower lip in embarrassment, intending to secretly move away a little, but as soon as she moved, the hand on her lower back pulled her even tighter in front of her. The hot water bottle was pressed against her belly, and her cheeks were burning hot.
Yan Xuecui closed his eyes and gently rubbed her slender, soft waist: "Why aren't you sleeping anymore?"
Chi Yingzhen suspected that he did it on purpose.
How could she possibly sleep with him like this...?
Yan Xue pressed her forehead against hers and whispered, "Didn't you say your back hurt? I have to massage your back and your stomach, where am I supposed to find a free hand? Why don't you let it help? What, you're disgusted?"
Chi Ying: "..."
How could she dare to look down on a prince?
But it's rather impolite for a young prince to not even wear clothes.
Chi Ying was helpless, but dared not move. The hot water bottle was too hot, and if she disturbed it, she would be the one to suffer.
Yan Xuecui's voice was hoarse: "Go to sleep, sleep on top of me."
...
In the following days, Yan Xuecui went to the Northern Garrison to explain the various matters for July. At the same time, the mansion was also packing the luggage for the two of them to go to the hot spring resort.
As early as the end of April, the manor had already taken measurements for Chi Ying and prepared more than ten summer dresses. For this trip out of the manor, several more dresses were specially made to suit the villa outside the city.
Chi Ying examined the new clothes that were delivered one by one. They were either made of gossamer-thin gauze, or tailored to fit the body's contours, and there were also a considerable number of small garments made with very little material...
Fangchun explained to Prince Zhao, "The mountains are remote. If we don't have enough clothes to change into, it would be troublesome and time-consuming to go to a shop in the suburbs of the capital to have clothes made. Your Highness is very thoughtful."
Chi Ying was speechless for a moment.
Why not mention that her prince is incredibly destructive? He always takes advantage of the fact that she can't see, lacks the patience to unbutton, and simply tears her clothes apart, resulting in her dresses having a very short lifespan.
Back in the village, she could wear the same clothes for years, but now she can barely wear them for a single night... If he could restrain himself a little, she would only need to bring three sets of clothes!
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Author's Note: [Note] "In my drunken stupor, my soul vanishes; the spring breeze carries the spirits of Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao," is from Xin Qiji's "Bodhisattva's Charm: A Gift to Zhou Guofu's Attendant."
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