Chapter 59 Chapter 59
As soon as he stepped into the palace, Chen Ling'an felt all kinds of gazes from the people. The eunuchs pointed and prodded at him in low voices, and the officials whispered behind his back, but they did not dare to look him in the eye.
Especially when he passed by Wenyuan Pavilion, an imperial censor actually spat at him behind his back: "Bah, traitor!"
Chen Ling'an sighed helplessly and slowly turned around. "I've been a traitor for a long time. Isn't it a little late for you to scold me now?"
The censor hadn't expected his direct retort, and his face flushed, but he refused to back down. "Lord Chen hasn't even been convicted yet, and yet you've already forced him to death. You're committing an evil act, seeking revenge for personal gain. How can the law tolerate this?"
Chen Ling'an caught a glimpse of someone passing by and suddenly smiled. "Censor, you're speaking up for the former Prime Minister, but have you considered the feelings of the new one?"
When the censor saw Liu Fang passing by, his expression froze. He wanted to say something to make amends but didn't know what to say. He could only watch Liu Fang slowly walk away.
Chen Lingan laughed coldly, "Idiot! If a few words could irritate him, how could he have come this far?"
"Master Chen, please stay!" Li Lin came running over, panting. "May I have a moment to talk?"
Chen Ling'an raised his eyebrows slightly. They had no friendship, but he heard that he had close contacts with Liu Jinshu. What could he say to him?
Seeing him standing there, looking him up and down, Li Lin couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Master Chen, don't you remember me? When I was a child, I once visited your father with my father. At your invitation, my father even taught at Nan Cui Academy for a month."
Chen Ling'an's expression remained calm. "I forgot."
Li Lin's tone faltered slightly, but he quickly adjusted himself. "When you have time, go to Nan Cui Academy. After all, it's your father's hard work."
"You came here just to tell me this?"
"Well... I just want to remind you, sir. Whether I go or not depends on your opinion." After saying that, he bowed as a farewell.
Chen Ling'an stared at Li Lin's back without saying a word. What did he mean by bringing up Nancui Academy for no reason?
Because of the delay on the way, we were a little late when we arrived at Wenhua Hall.
Inside the hall, Emperor Hongde was talking to Liu Fang. Chen Ling'an bowed silently and stood aside silently.
Liu Fang glanced at him and continued, "...During the Niu-Li factional strife, officials were promoted and demoted based not on their talent and achievements, but on their party affiliation. Upon taking power, the victorious faction purged the opposing faction's followers and installed their own cronies. This led to frequent changes in government policy, weakening imperial power and even coercion, which in turn hastened the Tang Dynasty's demise."
"I believe the Emperor is key to breaking down factional strife. For example, in the Chen Shaozhi case, we should minimize the number of officials implicated. We should prioritize appeasing the court officials and avoid turning this into a major case. We should make sure all officials understand that they have only one authority over them: the Emperor!"
He presented a petition with both hands, "Everything I want to say is in it."
Emperor Hongde gestured to Lü Liang to take it, "Go down, I'll give you the order in a few days."
After Liu Fang left, Emperor Hongde looked at Chen Ling'an and asked, "He hopes not to involve Chen Shao's old party. What do you think?"
Chen Ling'an: "He used the emperor's kindness to do his own favors, and acted so righteous and selfless. He's truly worthy of being the Prime Minister. How shameless!"
Emperor Hongde couldn't help laughing, but immediately put on a stern face. "Nonsense! How dare you insult an important official of the court? I'll fine you a year's salary."
A year's salary is of no importance to Chen Ling'an, it just makes him look bad. However, Chen Ling'an never cares about appearance, he only cares about the substance.
He knew in his heart that if the emperor punished him, it would mean that Chen Shao's suicide was over and he would no longer be held accountable for his failure to supervise him properly.
Chen Ling'an took advantage of the situation and knelt down to express his gratitude.
Emperor Hongde raised his hand and asked him to stand up. "I haven't seen you for a while. I thought you were going to resign and live a carefree life."
Chen Ling'an was secretly horrified and immediately replied, "If I resign now, I will be dead on the street before noon tomorrow. There are too many people who hate me, and I don't want to die yet."
Emperor Hongde said, "I remember... Nancui Academy seems to be your family's property."
It’s Nancui Academy again!
Chen Ling'an perked up immediately and answered carefully, "It's not really an estate. My father initially planned to build the academy, but without the support of the gentry, it wouldn't have been built. My father only bore the name. After my father passed away, the academy was taken over by Chen Shao."
"I have seen the successful candidates in this exam. Nearly 30% of them are from Nancui Academy. It's incredible." Emperor Hongde sighed, and it was hard to tell whether his tone was one of amazement or surprise.
Chen Ling'an lowered his eyes and waited quietly for the emperor's next words.
However, Emperor Hongde did not continue the topic, but instead mentioned several officials imprisoned in the imperial prison. "They have been imprisoned for more than half a year. Have they been thoroughly investigated?"
This means asking him to release the person.
Those were all Chen Shao's disciples. It seemed that the emperor had adopted Liu Fang's suggestion.
Chen Ling'an: "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated the case. The files are being sorted out and will be submitted this afternoon."
Emperor Hongde hummed, his face showing fatigue.
Chen Ling'an bowed and quietly left.
Why did the emperor suddenly ask about Nancui Academy? He didn't even send the officials who protected Chen Shao, so he wouldn't be intolerant of students who didn't enter the officialdom. Is it just because the students of the academy have a high pass rate that he was inspired to express a few words of emotion?
No, in the eyes of the emperor, he has never been someone with whom he can chat or gossip.
The Emperor was giving him some kind of hint, hoping he would bring it up on his own initiative. It had happened this way before, too. If the Emperor couldn't say it directly, couldn't deal with it directly, he'd just give a few vague words and he'd take care of the rest.
He never missed a beat.
But today, why couldn't he guess what the emperor meant?
He walked slowly in the shade of willows, looking at the road under his feet, and suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of confusion and emptiness in his heart.
After standing there for a while, he felt that maybe he should go and pay a visit to Mr. Lin Ting.
After taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered that He Ping was also participating in the Spring Examination as a student of Nancui Academy!
No matter how good the teachers in the academy are, they are not as good as Mr. Lin Ting. Moreover, He Ping didn't go to the academy for many days and spent most of his time eating, drinking and having fun.
Why did he specifically register his name in Nancui Academy?
Chen Ling'an's heart was pounding, and without hesitation, he went to the Jiang family immediately.
He Ping has been living with Mrs. Jiang!
But it was a disappointment - today was Xiao Jiang's birthday, and Mrs. Jiang took Xiaoman and He Ping to the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion to celebrate her sister's birthday.
Pingyang Marquis Mansion.
Since it was not a birthday party and it happened during a turbulent time, only close relatives and friends were invited and no grand celebration was made.
After a big fight with her brother, Mrs. Qin vowed to cut off all contact with her brother and his wife, but her mother disagreed and even sent someone to call her over yesterday.
For the sake of her mother, and because she is now the wife of the Prime Minister, it would be boring to travel at night in fine clothes, so she simply brought her son with her.
She regretted it as soon as she arrived. How could she forget that little girl!
The son's eyes would often fall on the naughty girl, and she would be furious at the sight of him. She turned around and saw Mrs. Jiang, wanting to tell her to take care of her children, but the new second place winner was always with Mrs. Jiang, making the old grandmother and mother smile from ear to ear, and their love for him was beyond words.
Fortunately, there is no daughter in the Marquis’s Mansion, otherwise the wedding could be held today.
Looking at the relatives in the same family, they were all smiling and talking to Mrs. Jiang, and none of them treated her coldly.
Had they forgotten that this Jiang had fought a divorce lawsuit? The world was truly in decline, and a woman who violated social norms was now being praised.
Mrs. Qin was so upset that she finally found a chance to talk to her mother privately. But her mother came forward and said, "Today is a good day for your sister-in-law. Please save your complaints."
Mrs. Qin choked and took a long time to calm down before she said angrily, "You really are such a fool! You forgot your daughter when you had a daughter-in-law. Who wants to complain? I just want to discuss my father's affairs with my mother."
The Marquis's wife laughed and said, "I was wrong about you. Okay, tell me now."
Madam Qin said proudly, "Father's return to the capital has been repeatedly delayed. Either there's no vacancy or the position isn't suitable, and it's never been decided. Now that your son-in-law is the Prime Minister, it's just a matter of a word from him. Whichever position you and father like, we'll vacate for him."
She finished speaking and looked at her mother expectantly.
But her mother was not as excited as she had imagined. Instead, she was silent for a long time, as if she had something to say but was unable to.
"Mother?" Mrs. Qin asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
"There's something I haven't told you." The Marquis's wife said slowly, "Your father plans to be transferred to Yanbei. The Emperor has approved it, and he'll probably issue an official decree in the next day or two."
Madam Qin felt her head swell up with a buzzing sound. She stared at her mother as if she didn't recognize her. "Yanbei? Why did father go to Yanbei? Did you...did you all agree? Did Grandmother agree too?"
The Marquis's wife nodded, "We have discussed this."
Madam Qin stood up suddenly. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you discuss this with me? Do you still consider me your daughter? Fine, a daughter who's married off is like spilled water. I'm a member of the Liu family and have no right to meddle in your Qin family's affairs!"
The Marquis's face darkened, and she whispered, "How dare you! You're showing off your status as the Prime Minister's wife to your mother! I've really spoiled you. You're almost forty, but you still have the temper of a child."
"It's my husband who dotes on me, not you," Madam Qin said angrily. "I know what you're thinking. You're trying to please the emperor by moving the capital north. You're afraid I'll object, afraid my husband will stop you, so you're hiding it from us."
Madam Hou sighed slightly, "Your brother is also going to Yanbei, and he will leave after the Dragon Boat Festival."
“When was this decided?”
"Yesterday, the Emperor summoned him to the palace alone and told him that the imperial edict would be issued along with your father's transfer order."
Madam Qin racked her brains: "But, but... He can't be without someone to serve him. I have to give him—"
"Jiang will go with them!" Madam Hou decisively interrupted her daughter's call, her eyes filled with deep fatigue. "And the Crown Prince's three sons, their whole families will go too."
Madam Qin was stunned. Was he not planning to return? With the Marquis, the Crown Prince... and all the direct descendants of the family gone to Yanbei, was the Pingyang Marquisate in Jinling still called the Pingyang Marquisate?
"Mother will be there after she finishes arranging the clan affairs. Grandmother is still strong, so maybe you can leave by boat in the summer. Okay, let's go. I'll be the only one left, so you all can go!"
Mrs. Qin turned and left, thinking her mother would call her, but there was no response. She was so angry that her tears stopped and she simply went home directly.
Seeing that she looked unhappy, Xiao Jiang didn't go over to her to annoy her. Instead, she pointed to a maid to pass a message to Liu Jinshu.
Liu Jinshu received the letter and hurried out.
I didn't catch up with my mother, but I saw Xiaoman in the bamboo forest.
She was wearing a long jacket with a moon-white background embroidered with red peonies, and a pleated skirt as blue as the sky after the rain. She had a smile on her face and walked with full of energy.
It was the same outfit they wore when they first met.
I thought I had forgotten it a long time ago.
Liu Jinshu stopped involuntarily and waited quietly for her to come closer.
"Xiaoman!" Someone called her from the other side of the bamboo forest.
It’s Chen Ling’an.
She immediately ran towards him, jumping for joy and delight.
She clearly saw herself...
It seems that it has always been like this. As long as Chen Ling'an appears, there is no one else in her eyes.
Liu Jinshu smiled silently. He was such a loser. He had made up his mind to forget her, but when he saw her, he couldn't help but want to get closer to her.
Before leaving, he took a last look at Xiaoman.
But his eyes met Chen Ling'an's.
Arrogant, showing off, mocking, contemptuous... He is provoking himself!
Liu Jinshu was furious, but today was his aunt's birthday and his mother had already been rude, so he couldn't disrupt the birthday party again.
He glared back coldly and left in anger.
"What are you looking at?" Xiaoman turned her head following Chen Ling'an's gaze.
"A toad ran over." Chen Ling'an pulled her head back. "I wanted to ask He Ping something, but he was so drunk that I couldn't get him to wake up no matter how hard I tried."
Xiaoman was very surprised: "Strange, he can get drunk too?"
Chen Ling'an was startled, his eyes darkening. After a while, he whispered, "If you are free, please accompany me to visit Nan Cui Academy."
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