Chapter 117 Confinement

Si Li woke up when her dream of Teppanyaki turned into an octopus attack. The feeling of restraint and heat in the dream brought her into reality. The deep and light red in her eyes finally brought her back to consciousness. Under the control of Jiang Hengyun, who held her like a favorite toy, Si Li struggled slightly to create a gap that was not so hot and raised her head.

Even though the beauty had dark circles under his eyes, he only looked morbidly beautiful and did not lose his looks. Si Li was tired after a day of kissing Jiang Hengyun yesterday. After a few rounds of kissing, she fell asleep early. Seeing Jiang Hengyun like this, he must have paid a painful price for being Liu Xiahui.

Just as she was trying to hold back her laughter and was shaking, the young man beside her suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes were clear and sharp, revealing a cold and indifferent expression. The pressure from the superior came towards her, and Si Li was stunned for a moment. Jiang Hengyun quickly saw who was in front of him, and his expression softened instantly. He relaxed his arms that had just been tightened, yawned, and his eyes were a little hazy as if he had just woken up. "It's still early, why don't you sleep?"

Si Li raised her eyebrows. The morning light outside the window showed that it was at least 7am, which was not considered early. Madam Jian and her aunt had told her that she had to get up early to meet her parents-in-law (the emperor) on the first day of marriage. Why did Jiang Hengyun seem to take it lightly?

"Didn't you sleep well?" Si Li leaned over and kissed Jiang Hengyun's chin, happily getting some free space as he retreated backwards.

Jiang Hengyun almost moved to the edge of the bed, pursed his lips, and finally told the truth, "I always feel like I'm dreaming."

This answer is so innocent! Si Li laughed, pinched Jiang Hengyun's collar and tugged, "It's time to get up, do you still need to go to see His Majesty?"

Jiang Hengyun stopped smiling, and Si Li was startled. Outside the door, the eunuchs and maids whispered, "Master, are you going to get up?"

"No need." Jiang Hengyun turned over and sat up swiftly, pulling Si Li up with him. With his long hair loose, he walked to the suitcase and picked up a piece of clothing at random, "Wear this?" He acted so matter-of-factly that Si Li completely forgot what he was going to say.

In the past, when I heard others talk about it, I just thought it was strange. Why can drawing eyebrows, painting eyes and dressing well enhance relationships? But when it was my turn, I realized that ordinary things can be filled with pink bubbles when done by other people.

After washing and dressing, the two of them went out together. Along the way, they were filled with congratulations. Si Li followed Jiang Hengyun into the depths of the imperial city. Because of the prince's wedding, all departments had a three-day holiday. The magnificent former palace and various pavilions were quiet. Although the lights and decorations everywhere showed the joy, Si Li still felt a little uneasy.

The uneasiness reached its peak when he saw the gate to the inner palace guarded by the imperial guards.

Lu Xi, whom I had seen before, made a move in the shadow of the doorway, opening only a crack. There was even a huge bolt on the reddish-brown palace door, which was as dark as blood, and there were traces of splashing at the bottom. Si Li's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she looked at Jiang Hengyun.

"Let's go." Jiang Hengyun said softly.

Apart from the palace, the imperial palace was nothing like what Si Li had imagined. It was quiet and decadent along the way. Rather than saying it was the center of power in the world, it was more like a dead tomb. As she walked step by step, Si Li could feel Jiang Hengyun holding her hand tighter and tighter, and her fingertips began to feel cold. She frowned, "Release?"

"Did it hurt you?" Jiang Hengyun let go of her hand as if waking up from a dream, "I'm sorry."

Disorganized piano music came from the dilapidated palace. Jiang Hengyun did not enter the room, but just stood outside the window of the side hall with his hands behind his back, looking cold and aloof. Si Li stopped beside him.

After another winter, the window paper had rotted away, leaving only the wooden window frame. In the hall, a middle-aged man wrapped in a bright yellow dragon robe, who looked somewhat similar to Jiang Hengyun, was leaning against the woman and sleeping soundly, with a look of fear. Concubine Yuan, whom Si Li had met once, was still wearing the purple skirt she had seen last time. She mechanically patted the middle-aged man's arm, and plucked the broken-stringed zither with one hand.

"I've said before that mother's reforms have displeased too many people. The court, the aristocratic families, the royal family... including the emperor." Jiang Hengyun's voice was very soft, without any emotion, distant and cold, as if he was telling an unrelated story. "The late emperor had four children in total, and your Majesty is the second. In front is the popular crown prince, and behind is the lovable Princess Le'an and the King of Yue with superb martial arts. He only knows how to eat and drink, and was destined to be a mediocre and idle king all his life. But he fell in love with my mother, and when he asked for her hand in marriage, he could say with a clear conscience that he was a useless person anyway."

The story of Queen Yunsheng and the Emperor is very clichéd. An idle prince unexpectedly ascends the throne. He is self-deprecating and conceited, causing all kinds of troubles. In the end, he can only seek affirmation from the new concubine who is dependent on the imperial power. The couple's relationship comes to an end. The Queen, who was apparently angered to death by Concubine Yuan, was actually poisoned. After the Prince, who holds the military power, returns to the court, naturally no one who took action will have a good ending.

Jiang Hengyun spared their lives because of his promise and blocked the news to avoid unrest in the court. Although it seemed that the emperor was in power in these years, in fact, the cabinet and the prince worked together to handle state affairs, which sounded a bit like a constitutional monarchy.

"…As for Jiang Ping, his young son has done nothing wrong. Just don't let him get in touch with those ambitions and let him grow up safely." Jiang Hengyun laughed at himself.

Si Li looked at Jiang Hengyun, whose cheeks were tense and whose voice was becoming increasingly unsteady, and realized something. If Jiang Rufei had locked herself up because of the past, Jiang Hengyun might be the one who seemed to be walking out but actually never took a step out. It seemed that the imperial concubine and the emperor who had done something wrong were imprisoned, but why wasn't he punishing himself?

"Shizhi." Si Li held his hand and shook it gently. When Jiang Hengyun turned around and looked at her, she smiled, "The Queen named you Shizhi to tell you to let it go. I've said before that people should look forward. You still have me in the future."

The palace past shrouded in a heavy haze seemed to have left no trace on the girl's heart. Her smile was still bright and charming. Jiang Hengyun's throat choked slightly, and the coldness in his heart seemed to be covered by the warm palm of her hand, and a little warmth rose up.

"When will you take me to see the Queen Mother?" Si Li saw his expression soften and continued to speak harshly.

Jiang Hengyun lowered his eyes, "I can't see it anymore."

"ah?"

"After the Queen Mother's coffin was laid to rest, her body dissipated like sand between heaven and earth, leaving no trace."

Si Li opened her mouth wide, and after a while she found the right words to comfort him, "That's fine too, look at the mountains and rivers, and be free."

Jiang Hengyun quickly put away his cold emotions and took Si Li with him. When they walked out of the inner palace gate and stepped onto the quiet middle palace road again, Si Li finally breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of the oppressive atmosphere. She deliberately found a light-hearted topic and said with a smile, "Since His Majesty can't control you, can you come with me if I want to go somewhere else?"

"Wait a little longer. When Ah Fei can stand on her own, I will accompany you wherever you want to go." Jiang Hengyun stopped, lowered his head and looked at Si Li seriously, and forced the travel plan to be a promise.

"Don't." Si Li thanked him politely and dragged him forward. "I won't disturb you from doing your work, and you don't disturb me from doing my work. If people say that I am the source of national disaster, then I will suffer a great loss."

Jiang Hengyun laughed twice, "They don't dare."

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked through the long palace corridor. Everywhere they went, Jiang Hengyun could talk about the funny things that happened in the past, from his sister climbing up the palace beam to Jiang Lang smashing the bluestone in front of the palace. The image of a little Jiang Hengyun who was bald all day long and led his lawless siblings gradually took shape in Si Li's mind.

As they were talking and laughing, an acquaintance came over. Zhong Liuru bowed and presented a roll of paper to him, "I shouldn't have disturbed Your Highness, but how to deal with him still needs Your Highness's decision."

Jiang Hengyun did not avoid Si Li. After the paper was opened, there were only a few lines of words, but the content made Si Li secretly pinch Jiang Hengyun, "It's all because of you."

The news reported was about the story of the storytellers and bookstores that the Dongyang Mansion secretly sent. The story of the brothers fighting for their wives was written in a very unpleasant way. Although the names of the previous dynasty were used, the fact that the daughter of the restaurant merchant and the brothers were of noble status clearly had a hidden meaning. However, Jiang Hengyun's visits to the residence under the guise of Jiang Lang were not very frequent. Even when they met in the shop, it was just a passing crowd, nothing out of the ordinary. Others speculated a lot about this, and after being tortured by the Dongyang Mansion, it seemed as if there was really something fishy going on.

However, the people in the Dongyang Mansion did not know that almost all the bookstores in the capital belonged to the prince, so they ran into a minefield. And Si's father also intervened in this, wishing that this shameful story would be sung throughout the capital today, and no one knew what he was trying to do.

Si Li's doubts were quickly answered. Jiang Hengyun said coldly, "Lord Si won because of his patriotism, but also lost because of his patriotism. He always did things he thought were good for the country, including changing the emperor. Your Majesty, he chose me, and thought I was a hindrance, so he chose Duke Dongyang to help Ah Ping take the throne. Ha, he didn't even consider whether he was worthy or not."

The smile on Zhong Liuru's face remained unchanged, as if he didn't hear what terrible words his master said.

"Let Lu Xi send someone to pass on the message that the Prince of Dongyang and the second daughter of Lord Si are a perfect match made in heaven." Jiang Hengyun handed the paper roll to Zhong Liuru and put it away again, then lightly gave the punishments for the two families.

I still remember Si Li, the prince of Dongyang. That greasy young man with a lecherous look doesn't seem like a good person. Even if Si Tang had done something wrong in the past, marrying him and ruining her life is too bad. Si Li pulled Jiang Hengyun's sleeve, tiptoed to his ear and whispered, "Si Tang didn't do anything after all. Isn't this too harsh?"

Jiang Hengyun saw his wife's reluctance and hesitation, bent down to tidy up her messy hair, and explained in a gentle voice, "This is not a gifted marriage. It's up to them whether to marry or not. Besides, even if she goes to the Dongyang Mansion, she will never have to worry about food and clothing. It depends on whether she can see through it."

I don't have to worry about food and clothing, but I know how to keep warm. Si Li sighed and said nothing more.

Seeing the newlyweds looking at each other in an increasingly ambiguous atmosphere, Zhong Liuru gradually moved out of His Highness's sight and dealt with the matters he had just arranged.

After the first month of the lunar year, the three-day wedding holiday for the crown prince and the people ended in early February. The government offices returned to the atmosphere before the Chinese New Year, relaxed but tense. The Ministry of Justice was still serious and silent, but other ministries were gossiping. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works were the closest, and the two ministers were sitting together drinking tea.

"I don't know what's wrong with that woman. She mentioned the Second Prince's marriage at the Shangyuan Palace Banquet. That's still a child! Look, not only did His Majesty not say a word, but there is still no news. Even if she is dissatisfied with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, she shouldn't act like this!"

"Who says that a person with long hair has short knowledge? Haha, but I think the second Miss Si is really good. If your boy doesn't live up to his expectations, I will risk my old face to ask Lord Si for marriage."

The low laughter did not go out of the door, but the heavy footsteps outside the government wall startled the two ministers. After a while, the servant came back with sweat on his face after finding out the news. "My lord, the palace has sent a message that they want to match the second Miss Si with the Prince of Dongyang!"

"What?!"

The Duke of Dongyang also cried out in surprise. He was forced to stand up from his sickbed and come to the main gate to listen to the order. He half-supported himself, his ears buzzing, and he almost suspected that he had misheard. The eunuch who delivered the message did not stay for long. Duke Dongyang turned his head to look at his son, but was shocked by the uncontrollable joy in Yuan Fangtong's eyes. He raised his hand tremblingly, "You, you... evil son!"

A slap hit Yuan Fangtong's face, it was burning with pain. He had never thought that his father, who had been ill for many years, could still be so strong. His mind went blank. The surprise just now was suppressed by the panic in his heart. The expectation for the beautiful bride was greatly reduced. Yuan Fangtong immediately knelt down and bowed his head, "It really wasn't me, Dad!"

The servants of the Duke of Dongyang's mansion closed the door and carried the Duke of Dongyang back to the room. Yuan Fangtong then found the right opportunity to continue explaining, "Your Majesty, I don't know what you are thinking, but now that things have come to this, instead of waiting for Ping'er to grow up and marry the daughter of the Prime Minister Si to ensure that he will stand on the side, it is better to tie the old man Si to our family directly, and when the second lady Si and I have a daughter, marry her to Ping'er. Then we will be truly of the same mind, father!"

The anger in Duke Dongyang's eyes gradually died down, "That makes sense..." A smile appeared on his wrinkled face, "You will be getting married soon, so make good preparations and don't let the girl down."

Thinking that the beautiful girl was about to become his, Yuan Fangtong's heart was filled with excitement. He agreed to his father's request, went out to find the steward to arrange the marriage gift, and dragged his concubine along, and started to have fun in broad daylight.

On the other side, the atmosphere in Si Mansion, which also received the message, was very different from that in Dongyang Mansion.

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The author has something to say:

Should we have explained the past affairs of the empress and the emperor? The remaining secret is the empress's system.