Chapter 67
In the blink of an eye, it was the second year of Yongxi.
On this day, the sky was clear and the spring snow had just begun to melt. There was a drizzle everywhere in the capital, as if it was a rare sun shower.
A rainbow suddenly appeared in the Imperial Garden, and word spread quickly, prompting many eunuchs to join in the fun. These shrewd eunuchs, sensing the new emperor's taciturn exterior but underlying kindness, boldly urged Chang Duzhi to plead with Emperor Yongxi for mercy.
Chang Duzhi was none other than Xiaowu, who was given the name "Changsheng" by Emperor Zhaoming. Although young, he was already capable of handling important responsibilities and was a favorite of the emperor.
At this moment, he came out of the imperial study carrying a lunch box. Seeing that everyone was ready to make a move, he cursed, "A bunch of troublemakers, go do what you need to do!"
Seeing that everyone was dragging their feet, seemingly unwilling to give up, he added, "...The prince is still in there!"
The people around immediately fled in all directions.
They dared to ask for favors from Emperor Yongxi, but no one dared to mess with the Regent.
Two years ago, Zhao Congyun had suffered a serious illness, and upon his recovery, he officially assumed the throne. From that moment on, he began to exude an aura of unapproachable presence. Not only did the eunuchs avoid him, but even the officials avoided him whenever possible, and would never meet him in person unless he could present a memorial.
The only exception in the court was the Imperial Censor Li Si, who dared to point his finger at Zhao Congyun and curse him in public and behind his back. To everyone's surprise, Zhao Congyun never said a word, and no matter how Li Si shouted, he always responded with a cold face.
Just when everyone was wondering if the Regent was kind-hearted, he wiped out Lord Fan's followers with thundering means - he was so bloodthirsty that no one in the court, including the civil and military officials and Emperor Yongxi, could stop him. In the end, it was the former princess consort Su Dingrou who stepped forward to dissuade him, thus saving hundreds of lives.
No one dared to associate Zhao Congyun with the dissolute Prince Jia of the past. From then on, the world only saw the Prince Regent, who was cold-hearted and omnipotent.
After Emperor Yongxi gradually became familiar with government affairs, someone hinted to the emperor that they were worried that Zhao Congyun had too much power and that if he formed a clique for personal gain, the consequences would be disastrous.
But Zhao Congyun's talent and achievements left them speechless. He was more diligent than everyone else combined, practically working himself to the bone. Under his stewardship, the turbulent political situation of previous years finally stabilized, and the people enjoyed a brief respite.
So suspicion was replaced by admiration, and people respected him and feared him even more.
Only Anian is not afraid of this imperial uncle.
No matter how cold and hard Zhao Congyun looked, Anian could always recall the days when they lived together in Lingzhou.
He was just too sad, Anian thought.
"Uncle, aren't you going to see Yuhong?" After discussing state affairs, Zhao Congyun stood up to leave. Ah Nian suddenly said, "My aunt told me that this was a good omen."
Zhao Congyun's expression relaxed slightly at the mention of "aunt," but he shook his head and said, "There are still many miscellaneous matters piling up in the palace. I will withdraw first."
The palace that Zhao Congyun mentioned was not the former Prince Jia's Palace, but a new mansion that he specially built after he became regent to facilitate his entry into the palace.
Ah Nian didn't force him, and casually pushed a piece of paper over. "Since that's the case, I won't keep my uncle here... This is a letter from Aunt Su. I've already read it. Please take a look at it, uncle."
Zhao Congyun lowered his head and glanced at the familiar handwriting on the envelope. He did not refuse and silently put the letter into his sleeve.
"I'll take my leave."
*
When Uncle Dong came in to change the tea, he found that the prince was a little absent-minded.
There was a letter on the desk, which had obviously been read by someone. Uncle Dong recognized the elegant handwriting and immediately understood where Zhao Congyun's irritability came from.
"Has Mrs. Shen written to you again?" Uncle Dong asked.
Zhao Congyun rubbed his temples and hummed softly.
After Su Dingrou and Shen Zongwu married, they settled in Lingzhou and would occasionally send letters to Beijing, expressing their greetings and chatting about family matters. Anian loved the letters and would always show them to Zhao Congyun. Over time, it became a habit.
But today's letter is slightly different.
"What happened?"
"Happy news." Zhao Congyun sneered: "She gave Shen Zongwu a daughter."
Uncle Dong was slightly startled. If he didn't know his own prince well, he would have thought Zhao Congyun was jealous. But then he heard Zhao Congyun continue: "...The dam has been repaired, and she asked me to go back to Lingzhou."
“…” Uncle Dong was silent for a moment.
Lingzhou.
This is a word that Zhao Congyun has refused to mention for two years. How could he possibly go?
"Mrs. Shen also has good intentions..." Uncle Dong persuaded.
"Oh? I think she's been in that place for too long and her brain is broken!"
Uncle Dong was helpless. Even he was helpless about Zhao Congyun's bad temper in the past two years. What's more, Su Dingrou's letter really hit him hard!
"Your Highness, the princess is here!" As luck would have it, at this moment a loud announcement came from outside.
Zhao Congyun was startled when he heard this. He threw the teacup away, splashing the scalding water all over him. He was unaware of it and only cursed in a trembling voice: "Asshole! Who taught you this?! Where did this princess come from?"
Uncle Dong is in a big trouble. Today is really a double whammy!
The servant must have been new and confused by the complex relationships in the palace, so he mistakenly reported his identity. He dismissed the servant with a wave of his hand and went to greet him at the door himself, only to discover that it was Li Pingru.
She was holding a child in her hands.
Ancestor... great aunt...
Uncle Dong was so shocked that he almost fell to his knees. "You... why did you bring him here? The prince is furious now, so please go back first! We can talk about it another day!"
"I won't leave!" Li Pingru said coldly, "You guys are just spoiling him! Can he really eat me?"
After saying that, he took the child and strode in.
Zhao Congyun didn't like crowds of people. In the past, there were only Uncle Dong and two servants who cleaned the garden. Now this new palace was even more shabby. Uncle Dong had to do several jobs at the same time, and the huge garden was empty, without even a guard.
Li Pingru easily broke into the study.
The floor was littered with broken teacups. The aroma of tea still lingered, suggesting he had indeed lost his temper.
"Who offended you again?" Li Pingru asked.
Zhao Congyun raised his eyes and was stunned when he saw the child. The next second, his face turned pale and he was furious: "Why did you bring him here?! Aren't you afraid that I will strangle him to death?"
Li Pingru picked up the child and placed him directly on the table: "Come on, do it! It just so happens that I don't want to raise him anymore!"
"You think I don't dare?"
Li Pingru saw him actually stretch out his hand, and his thin, bony knuckles pinched the child's neck, and the child burst into tears.
"Are you crazy?" Li Pingru was shocked.
Fortunately, Uncle Dong arrived and took the child away in time, leaving behind a sentence "Talk it out nicely" before rushing out. He was really afraid that Zhao Congyun would do something crazy.
"Am I crazy, or are you?" Zhao Congyun glared at Li Pingru murderously. "You were the one who stole it away in the first place... Now that you regret giving it back, you should know what will happen to him!"
Li Pingru refused to give in: "Can't you send the child back to Lingzhou and let his real mother raise him?"
"What did you say?" Zhao Congyun gritted his teeth and said, "Try saying it again."
"His family is so evil. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have killed him two years ago! Now you want me to send him back? You're dreaming! Believe it or not, I'm going to take his life today!"
"It's his father who's guilty. He was just a baby at the time!" Li Pingru blurted out, "Even if you kill everyone, Yue Mingming won't come back!"
Zhao Congyun was nailed to the spot by these words.
After a long time, he finally gathered enough strength and actually smiled at her.
Li Pingru thought her words had worked, tears streaming down her face. She said softly, "Your Highness, please let the Huo family go, and let yourself go... People always have to move on."
"Yeah?"
Zhao Congyun spoke softly, "How interesting... It seems like you two have colluded. What if I don't agree? You know, the more you persuade me, the more I want to kill."
*
There was only one prisoner in the No. 1 cell.
The jailer opened the door respectfully, let the visitor in black fur and brocade robe in, and then tactfully retreated.
Zhao Congyun took off his outer robe and put it aside, took out a cunning wine pot from his arms, poured himself a glass, and drank it as if no one was around.
The prisoner unconsciously pursed his lips and said sarcastically, "Your Highness, don't you even have a friend to talk to in the capital? Why do you always come to my place to drink?"
"You should be grateful for this wine... Every time I want to kill you, I drink a pot of it, and then I feel that it is better to let you live." Zhao Congyun said lightly.
"Is he living to be tortured and humiliated by you?"
"Shouldn't it be?" Zhao Congyun raised his eyebrows, a fierce hatred rolling in his eyes: "So many people died because of you, no matter how much you suffer, it can't redeem you!"
"So many people..." The prisoner chewed on this sentence and suddenly laughed: "Zhao Congyun, there are no outsiders here. Be honest... If Yue Shi hadn't died, would you still hate me so much?"
"Oh... no, there's also the late emperor. You're blaming me for this as well. But if I hadn't taken action, how would you have had the chance to realize your ambitions? The feeling of holding power... isn't it addictive?"
The prisoner whispered in an almost bewitching tone. Silence fell in the cell. Zhao Congyun avoided his gaze, lowered his eyes, and stared at the wine pot. After a moment of silence, he said, "Mr. Fan, you don't have to provoke me. If you want to die, I'll give you a chance."
In two years, Zhao Congyun killed many people, but only left the instigator of the rebellion alive.
It's not that I don't hate him, but I hate him too much. I hate him so much that I want him to suffer every day instead of just killing him with one knife.
In addition, Zhao Congyun also had a hidden thought - he knew that only if this person existed and bore the overwhelming anger and hatred in his heart on his behalf, he would not completely lose his mind.
He needed Fan Gong to be alive, and he needed someone to stay in the past with him and bear the painful memories together.
"Will you be willing to accept this?" Mr. Fan understood him, so he sneered.
"Of course I'm very reluctant... but this is the only pot of wine left." He said something incoherent, then shook the pot at Mr. Fan: "This pot has a layer inside, filled with poison. We each have a cup, one of clear wine and one of poison. You choose first... how do you like it?"
After saying that, he reached over and filled two cups carefully.
Mr. Fan's expression was uncertain, and his eyes kept scanning the two glasses of wine.
Zhao Congyun curled his lips: "I really thought you were not afraid of death!"
"I don't believe it, you must be cheating!"
Mr. Fan couldn't understand why his opponent, with a guaranteed victory, would give him a 50% chance of survival. Even more unbelievable was that he was willing to take the risk and gamble his life with him!
Zhao Congyun didn't say anything, but just pushed the two glasses of wine forward: "I poured the wine myself, so I naturally know which one is poisoned. If you don't choose now, you will have no chance."
"Come on, don't act like a wimp."
“…………”
Lord Fan hesitated, sweat trickling down his forehead. He had been imprisoned for two years, and every day he'd wished for death, but when the moment finally came, his knees weakened and his whole body trembled.
Of course death is scary.
What’s even more terrifying is that Zhao Congyun still left him hope of survival.
"You are a devil!" Mr. Fan said hatefully.
Zhao Congyun said nothing, but just looked at him meaningfully, with a hint of pleasure of revenge in his eyes.
Finally, Mr. Fan pointed to one of the cups tremblingly and said, "...I choose this one."
Zhao Congyun remained expressionless, picking up the other cup. Just as he was about to drink, he heard Lord Fan yell, "Wait! Wrong... I choose your cup!"
Zhao Congyun tilted his head to look at him: "Are you sure?"
“…Yes…sure.”
"Okay." Zhao Congyun changed the glass and drank it all in one gulp without any hesitation.
This uncertainty was driving Mr. Fan insane, and he cursed, "Zhao Congyun, you bastard! This will not end well for you!"
Zhao Congyun stood up and walked in front of him, listened quietly to his scolding, and handed the wine glass to his lips: "Please."
Mr. Fan smelled the fragrance of osmanthus flowers. It turned out that this wine was made with osmanthus flowers. He finally gave up all his futile struggles, slowly moved forward, closed his eyes, and drank.
"...I thought it was some fine wine." When the dust settled, Mr. Fan breathed a sigh of relief, almost fainting. "Can you tell me...why?"
Zhao Congyun was silent for a moment before he spoke: "Everyone says that I should move on, but they are not qualified to make this decision, not even me... So I think it's better to give her the right to choose.
"If I were alive today, I would assume she had forgiven me and I could try... what they call 'letting go.'"
Mr. Fan seemed to understand something and asked slowly, "Did she forgive you?"
Zhao Congyun lowered his eyes and smiled, as if lost in some memory. "Did you know? This osmanthus wine was brewed by her back then and buried in the ginseng garden. Most of it has gone bad and is no longer drinkable. Only this jar is left. I only dare to drink a little at a time, but inevitably I drink it all."
"In fact, I know very well... I'm the only one who doesn't want to say goodbye and can't forgive. She has never blamed me."
He suddenly stopped talking and watched the man in front of him whose face suddenly became pale and soon stopped breathing.
After standing there for a long time, Zhao Congyun finally picked up his outer robe and left silently in the lonely room.
Three days later, Emperor Yongxi issued an edict, and the Regent set off for Lingzhou in the name of inspecting the border defenses.
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