The imperial palace, Qionghua Palace.
Ever since Chu Hong received the mission to go and welcome the King of the Western Regions, the Emperor of Chu specially ordered people to take Concubine Jiang out of the cold palace and gave her a palace named Qionghua Palace.
Before leaving, Chu Hong came to the palace to pay a visit to Concubine Jiang.
The mother and son have not seen each other for more than three years.
Chu Hong had been in Youzhou for three years before this, and had just returned to Beijing and was placed under house arrest. In addition, Concubine Jiang had also lived in the cold palace before, and the prince was not allowed to enter without the emperor's order, so they were able to meet only now.
The palace was decorated with a new look, and all the furnishings and utensils were newly purchased by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Concubine Jiang was sitting on the couch, and when she saw Chu Hong walking in from the door, her heart slightly lifted.
After not seeing each other for three years, Chu Hong has lost his youthful immaturity, and his brows have become more profound and sharp.
He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully: "Your son, I pay my respects to my mother."
Jiangpin's eyes were slightly hot, and she quickly raised her hand: "Hurry up and let your mother take a good look at you."
The moment Chu Hong raised his eyes, Jiang Bin suddenly held her breath——
This face was even more eye-catching than three years ago. Her brow bones were still as delicate as hers, but the corners of her eyes were a little sharper than Amur's. Her nose was straight, her lips were thin, and the cinnabar mole on her forehead looked like rouge fallen on the snow, adding a bit of indescribable weirdness.
"You've lost weight..." Concubine Jiang reached out her hand and gently touched his cheek with her fingertips. "You've suffered from the bitter cold in Youzhou."
Chu Hong lowered his eyes and said in a low voice: "I am not suffering, but mother. I have been in the cold palace for three years. I am unfilial and failed to protect you."
Concubine Jiang shook her head and forced a smile: "It's all in the past... Now that His Majesty has shown mercy and allowed me to move to Qionghua Palace, I am very lucky."
Concubine Jiang avoided his inquiring gaze, turned around to pour tea, and said, "I heard that you were confined to your house as soon as you returned to the capital. Those days... you were wronged."
Chu Hong took the teacup and rubbed the rim of the cup unconsciously with his fingertips.
"That's fine. I've read a lot of military books in the mansion, so I haven't wasted any time."
Chu Hong looked at Jiang Bin's still beautiful face, but there were a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't worry, mother. When your son has made great contributions to the emperor, I will ask him to issue an order to allow you to live here forever, and you don't have to go to that lonely place anymore."
Jiangpin's eyes suddenly became hot.
She knew he was speaking from the heart, but the more he spoke like this, the more panicked she became.
Why would the King of Chu take her out of the cold palace for no reason? And why would he let Chu Hong go to meet Amur?
This clearly shows that they are being used as pawns to contain the Western Regions.
She suppressed the confusion in her mind and chose her words carefully: "I heard... you are going to welcome the King of the Western Regions?"
Chu Hong nodded: "Yes, my father ordered me to go to Yongcheng to show my court's courtesy."
Jiangpin tightened her fingers holding the teacup slightly, "The King of the Western Regions... He is brave and good at fighting, but his temperament is unpredictable. When you go there, you must treat him with courtesy and never conflict with him."
Chu Hong raised his eyes, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes: "Mother seems to know the King of the Western Regions... very well?"
He remembered that the King of the Western Regions and his mother did not belong to the same tribe. Later he heard that his mother's tribe was annexed by other tribes, so his mother was completely deprived of honor in the harem and suffered from neglect. She gave birth to him after a life-threatening experience.
But the meaning of my mother's words now seemed to indicate that she was quite familiar with this King of the Western Regions.
Jiangpin's heart skipped a beat, secretly thinking how perceptive Chu Hong was, and quickly lowered her eyes to cover up: "It's just... I heard some rumors in my early years."
She managed to steady her voice: "Remember, no matter what happens, you must be careful with your words and actions, and don't let anyone catch you."
Chu Hong looked at her deeply. Although he had some doubts in his heart, he still agreed: "I understand."
Afterwards, Concubine Jiang hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took off a wolf tooth pendant from her neck.
If you look closely, you will find that the patterns on the pendant are exactly the same as the tattoo patterns on Amur's body that Chu Qingluan saw in the inn before.
Concubine Jiang held the pendant in her hand and took a deep breath.
"You should wear this amulet close to your body. If you encounter... a problem that you really can't get over, show it to the King of the Western Regions."
Chu Hong took the pendant, which still retained his mother's body temperature, and there were patterns on the wolf's fangs that were similar to the wolf totem.
"Mother, this is your..." He hesitated.
"Take it." Jiangpin's voice was deeper than before, with an unquestionable solemnity.
"Mother, do you know the King of the Western Regions?" Chu Hong asked tentatively.
Concubine Jiang turned her face away, hiding the fluctuations in her eyes: "We met once in our early years. This wolf tooth is a peace amulet from the Western Regions. He will understand when he sees it."
Chu Hong put on the wolf fang and promised solemnly: "I will treasure it."
Before leaving, Jiang Bin suddenly grabbed Chu Hong's wrist, "Hong'er!"
Her eyes sparkled with tears: "Remember! No matter what happens, you must not disrespect the King of the Western Regions."
Chu Hong looked at her deeply and nodded seriously.
"Your son has remembered this. Mother, please rest early and don't work too hard."
——
Soon, Chu Hong, Yao Jinzhong and his party set off in a carriage and arrived in Yongcheng.
The prefect had received the news long ago, and when he heard that Prince Rui was coming, he also prepared a bed for him to stay.
His small city of Yong had not seen any important figures come for several years, but he did not expect that the King of the Western Regions, Prime Minister Xie, and now even King Rui would come in person to celebrate His Majesty's fiftieth birthday.
The prefect has heard that Prince Rui is the one with the best chance of inheriting the throne. Since the former crown prince was deposed, Your Majesty only has Prince Rui as his son.
In the future, Prince Rui will definitely inherit the throne.
Therefore, the prefect ordered everyone at the post station to welcome Chu Hong with the highest standards and etiquette, and to make sure everything was arranged properly.
From a distance, the prefect saw Chu Hong's procession approaching, and hurriedly straightened his clothes and stepped forward quickly.
"Your humble servant pays respect to His Royal Highness Prince Rui."
He bowed respectfully, with a flattering smile on his face, "Your Highness has come from afar, I have ordered people to prepare the best rooms, and the wine and food are also ready, please take a rest, Your Highness."
Chu Hong only glanced at him indifferently, and said in a lukewarm voice: "The governor is thoughtful. Is the King of the Western Regions here now?"
"Yes, yes!" The governor quickly stepped aside to lead the way. "The king is resting in the east warm pavilion. I will take him there right away..."
"No need!" Chu Hong raised his hand to interrupt, politely refusing the governor's company, "I will go there by myself."
Although the governor wanted to take the opportunity to strike up a conversation, he did not dare to disobey and could only bow and respond: "Your Highness, please summon me whenever you need anything!"
When Chu Hong arrived at the east wing, he saw more than a dozen guards from the Western Regions standing outside the door. They all had high noses and deep eyes, and wore swords at their waists.
"Please inform Chu Hong, the wise king of Great Chu, to come and greet the King of the Western Regions." Chu Hong's voice was clear and especially distinct in the wind and snow.
Just as the guard was about to turn around, the door of the room opened from the inside.
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