Chapter 53 Are you going to deceive and fool me just like this?
In the afternoon, Emperor Zhao of Qi, who had been absent from court for several days claiming to be ill, suddenly summoned Dongfang Yan.
Dongfang Yan did not dare to delay. He went back home, changed his clothes, and then entered the palace.
Arriving at the Imperial Study, he saw Emperor Zhao of Qi already reviewing memorials. His complexion had returned to normal. Seeing Prince Jin approaching, he smiled and said, "No need to be polite. Sit down and talk."
Dongfang Yan sat down on the chair brought by the eunuch. Seeing that there were no other ministers around, he spoke in a more relaxed manner:
"Uncle Huang, although you look much better, you're busy with government affairs right after recovering from a serious illness. Do you really not care about the emperor's health at all?"
Emperor Zhao of Qi was fifty-five years old this year, which was not too old. When I saw him a few years ago, he was full of energy and looked not at all old.
Ever since the Crown Prince's accident, he had aged rapidly, and the look of frost and weathering was visible to the naked eye.
But the country cannot do without him, so he can only cheer up and take care of government affairs.
"After a few days of rest, I feel much better. These days, thanks to you, Yan'er, helping with government affairs, Uncle Huang can rest and recuperate in peace."
Dongfang Yan quickly stood up and bowed, "It is my nephew's honor to be able to share the worries of the Emperor!"
"Sit down. I told you not to be so formal. When you were one and a half years old, you went to court with your father. The Crown Prince wasn't even born yet. I held you in my arms as we sat on the Dragon Throne to discuss government, and you wet your pants midway. Even now, the Dragon Throne still smells of your urine!"
Emperor Zhao of Qi laughed heartily as he spoke, and the eunuch behind him also covered his mouth and chuckled.
Dongfang Yan was a little embarrassed: "Uncle Huang, please don't mention the embarrassing things that happened when we were little."
"I don't know if it's because I'm old, but I always miss the past. Back when your father was still alive, we often talked about you little ones in private. I liked your liveliness and straightforwardness, the carefree way you lived your life. But your father always praised the Crown Prince for his kindness and open-mindedness, saying he would definitely become a good emperor in the future."
When mentioning the crown prince, Emperor Qi Zhao's eyes dimmed a little: "If it could always be the same as before, it would be great."
Dongfang Yan followed up on his words and asked, "Uncle Huang, is the Crown Prince feeling better now?"
Emperor Zhao of Qi sighed, "He's still in the same state, unconscious. The imperial physician has already declared that he won't live more than three months."
Dongfang Yan hurriedly said, "They are all quacks! Uncle Huang, please don't give up easily. If even you give up, what will happen to our younger brother, the Crown Prince? The world is so vast, there are countless hidden talents. Let's keep looking! We will eventually find someone who can heal the Crown Prince!"
Emperor Zhao of Qi waved his hand. "Why didn't I send anyone to look for him? But... maybe this is fate. It's God's punishment for my disobedience and the heinous crime of patricide and usurpation of the throne! That's why my offspring have withered, my closest siblings have passed away early, and my most beloved son..."
Back then, when Emperor Zhao of Qi was still the crown prince, he was suspected by the previous emperor and was nearly killed. Forced into a desperate situation, he joined forces with Dongfang Yan's father to raise an army to seize the throne.
It is also for this reason that the brotherhood between him and the old King of Jin is particularly deep.
Before, he never wanted to talk about the past, but now, this old man, who is in his twilight years, may have been hit hard, so he talked about the past with Dongfang Yan in a heart-to-heart manner.
"If the prince is serious... I will naturally reserve a place for you on the throne."
He suddenly suppressed his sad expression and looked at Dongfang Yan with wise eyes, as if he could see through everything he said: "What I can give, I will naturally give you. What I cannot give, you must never take away. Do you understand?"
Look, this is the Son of Heaven! When he is willing to talk about feelings with you, you are family. When he is not willing to talk about feelings, you are just the monarch and his subject.
Clear distinction!
Dongfang Yan quickly straightened his expression and began to express his loyalty: "No matter what, Yan'er will always be loyal to Da Qi and to Uncle Huang, just as loyal as my father! As for the throne... that belongs to my younger brother, the Crown Prince. I dare not even covet it!"
Emperor Zhao of Qi nodded in satisfaction, his expression relaxing. "I'm just chatting with you, why be so serious? By the way, your princess is quite good. Bring her over when you have time. I want to see her again."
"yes!"
Dongfang Yan knew that Emperor Qi Zhao wanted to see Lin Qingyue because of her contribution in the mayfly silk case.
This was a good thing. It could win the emperor's favor and also bring honor to Prince Jin.
Dongfang Yan left the palace and was about to go to the cabinet to discuss government affairs with the ministers. Seeing that it was getting late, he thought of his unpleasant parting with Lin Qingyue.
I was emotional at the time, but now I think it's not a big deal and there's no need to argue with a little girl like her.
After a brief thought, he turned down the cabinet affairs and went to the Xuanjing Division to pick up Lin Qingyue and bring her home.
She was his princess, and he would slowly make up for the disrespect he had shown her in the past. She should sense his kindness and put away her thorns, right?
If she really doesn't like Lin Ruzhen entering the house, then he shouldn't accept her.
Thinking all the way, even Dongfang Yan himself didn't know when Lin Qingyue had slowly entered his heart.
Arriving at the gate of Xuanjingsi, the guard was about to report but was stopped by Dongfang Yan: "I am here to take the princess home. She is not an outsider, so there is no need to inform her!"
The guards were a little confused: When did His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin become one of us?
Dongfang Yan, who did not consider himself an outsider, walked all the way to the meeting room of the Xuanjing Division. Before he even entered, he heard a noisy conversation inside:
"Deputy Envoy Lin is truly amazing. He actually managed to get that cold-faced prince to participate in a ghost marriage! I thought Prince Jin wouldn't agree, but I didn't expect him to actually go. Hahaha!"
"I saw it a long time ago. Deputy Envoy Lin didn't tell me in advance! He just tricked the Prince of Jin into leaving."
"Deputy Envoy Lin, tell us how you tricked the Prince of Jin!"
Then, Lin Qingyue's contemptuous voice rang out: "How did you trick him? What's there to say? He's stupid anyway, so it's easy to fool him."
"Deputy Envoy Lin, how did you feel when you saw your husband and the ghost girl getting married?"
Lin Qingyue shrugged and said nonchalantly, "I don't feel anything. It's my duty. What's a mere man to me?"
"What a responsibility!" Dongfang Yan's voice came suddenly.
There was no expression on his face, but his eyes were cold as a knife, and he looked like a killer.
The guards who were originally surrounding Lin Qingyue and laughing all dispersed when they saw that something was wrong.
Lin Qingyue leaned limply on the armchair, with her legs resting on the table in a very ungraceful manner.
"Why are you here?"
She spoke casually and with a frivolous demeanor. She showed no sign of embarrassment at being caught, and didn't even notice that Dongfang Yan was angry—or if she did, she didn't care.
Dongfang Yan asked coldly, "Last night, you said you wanted me to accompany you on your errand. Was it just to trick me into becoming the groom for a ghost marriage?"
"Yes." Lin Qingyue did not deny it.
"Lin Qingyue, are you deceiving and fooling me just like that?"
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