Chapter 25 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar (The End)
Suddenly, several eunuchs burst into the room, startling her so much that she trembled.
The leader was a young eunuch who said in a high-pitched voice, "Your Majesty, we servants have come to see you off."
My gaze fell on these eunuchs, and I saw that one of them was carrying a tray.
There was also a white ribbon on it.
Consort Jiang suddenly realized: "Give it to me?"
The eunuch pressed closer, and Consort Jiang immediately struggled after realizing what was happening.
"Get out of my way! You bunch of lackeys, don't touch me, Your Majesty! I need to see Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, His Majesty will not see you. Today, His Majesty has bestowed upon you a white silk ribbon; you may go now."
Consort Jiang wept in despair: "I want to see His Majesty."
The eunuch was at a loss: "Your father plotted to harm His Majesty, and you conspired with that eunuch to poison His Majesty. Wouldn't bringing this up be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family?"
"But His Majesty is kind and benevolent, so please don't be ungrateful." The eunuch spoke with authority.
As he spoke, he pushed the white silk ribbon forward a little.
"Your Majesty, please."
Consort Jiang's tears slid from the corners of her eyes to her jawline, her gaze vacant as she stared at the white silk on the tray.
With trembling hands, he took it and closed his eyes in despair.
~
The prime minister sat on the ground in the prison, dressed in prison clothes.
In just one night, the prime minister's hair and beard turned white, his eyes became cloudy, and his shoulders seemed to slump.
He didn't inquire about the people in the Prime Minister's residence. From the moment he entered the prison, he neither ate nor drank, and remained silent and undisturbed.
The emperor arrived at the prison wearing a bright yellow robe embroidered with lifelike dragon patterns.
He stopped in front of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister, as if sensing something, opened his eyes and looked up: "You've come."
Did you know I would come?
The prime minister suddenly laughed, his voice hoarse: "You will definitely come, just because of what I said that day."
"Your Majesty, you were taught by this old minister."
...
After emerging from the dark prison, the emperor felt somewhat troubled, and the sun shining on him could not dispel the gloom in his heart.
Eunuch Su stood by without daring to utter a word. He didn't know what the Prime Minister and His Majesty had said, but His Majesty's current appearance was truly terrifying.
"Eunuch Su, I wish to leave the palace."
Eunuch Su looked up in surprise: "Your Majesty...you mustn't."
Before he could finish speaking, he was frightened away by a single look from the emperor.
The emperor changed into a blue robe, tied up his long hair, and walked down the street, looking somewhat like a refined young gentleman.
He strolled around the streets, and occasionally, if he saw something he liked, he would have it wrapped up for him.
Eunuch Su, dressed in plain clothes, settled the bill behind him.
The guards behind him were carrying a pile of things when they saw the emperor standing at the entrance of the Ji residence.
The shrewd eunuch Su had someone announce the news.
When the servant A-Gui came out, he almost knelt down when he saw that it was a distinguished person, and quickly invited him in.
When someone went to inform the emperor, he raised his hand and said, "Wait."
Eunuch Su glanced at him and said, "Your Majesty... my young master is just passing by and came to say hello to Lord Ji. There's no need to announce him."
Ah Gui was in a dilemma, but he knew that this man was a big shot and he dared not offend him.
As I approached the courtyard, I heard a lot of laughter and cheerful voices.
The emperor stood under the tree, watching Ji Huaizhi let his daughter rest on his neck, the exquisitely beautiful child smiling and revealing two teeth.
The lady sat at a small table to the side, watching the father and daughter with a smile.
Snacks and tea were placed on a small table next to them, and the family of three looked so happy that it made people envious.
Even Eunuch Su couldn't help but smile as he watched: "I didn't expect Lord Ji to be able to take care of children."
Ji Huaizhi looked up as if sensing something, and was surprised to see the emperor and his entourage: "Your Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi stood up, turned around, and saw the person who had come. She looked at Ji Huaizhi, wanting to take the child away, but Ji Huaizhi said it was fine.
It was as if the person who came was not His Majesty, but a friend visiting.
The child was still on Ji Huaizhi's neck. After a simple bow, Shen Zhiyi also looked at the daughter on Ji Huaizhi's head.
"No need for formalities. You don't need to be so reserved when you're out and about."
"Is Your Majesty out for a stroll?" Ji Huaizhi looked at the guards behind the emperor, none of whom had an empty hand.
"Having nothing to do, I came out for a stroll." The emperor pointed to the things behind him: "These are all gifts for Princess Anshun."
Shu Yang wasn't shy around strangers. He clapped his hands happily and even reached out to let the emperor hug him.
The emperor found it amusing and took the paper, saying, "This Shu Yang isn't afraid of me at all?"
Ji Huaizhi chuckled: "Why should I be afraid of you? You've bought her so many things, she probably thinks of you as a god of wealth."
Shen Zhiyi was somewhat reserved.
She always felt that Ji Huaizhi's attitude towards the emperor was too casual.
"Dinner will be served soon. Shall we eat before going back?"
The emperor, who had been feeling quite troubled, felt much more relaxed seeing Ji Huaizhi's attitude: "I had the same thought."
Eunuch Su wanted to advise, but His Majesty cannot eat whatever he wants.
He wanted to say something, but the emperor shut him up with just a glance.
Seeing Shen Zhiyi's nervousness, Ji Huaizhi said, "Don't be shy. Just treat him like a friend who has come to visit. Let him try our chef's cooking tonight."
Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes lit up with a smile: "How come I remember that your family's chef asked me for him before?"
“It’s different now. You’ll see when you try it.” Ji Huaizhi picked up the child.
The emperor felt helpless seeing how protective he was of his daughter: "I have never seen anyone dote on their daughter like you do."
What will happen when she grows up and gets married?
"Women in this era have it tough enough. Marriage does them no good. I don't want to see them follow their husbands after marriage." Ji Huaizhi looked at his daughter's radiant smile and his heart softened a little.
“If she wants to, I will support her in doing whatever she wants.”
"I don't want her to be tormented by feudal ethics in a secluded mansion and spend the rest of her life in misery."
Shen Zhiyi looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, as if she hadn't expected him to say such a thing.
The emperor was also surprised and incredulous when he heard his words.
That's really bold.
It seems that no one in this world would have such thoughts; this would not be allowed by societal norms.
But he just said it anyway, and he looked so serious.
“Brother Ji, I have discovered that you are completely different from those pedantic scholars.”
The emperor looked at him, unsure of what to say: "Your way of thinking is rare in this world."
"It can be described as utterly rebellious and utterly incongruous."
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Hearing your words, I suddenly feel that these things passed down from generation to generation..."
"Something doesn't seem right."
The emperor was also somewhat confused.
After the meal, the emperor rode back to the palace in his carriage, and Ji Huaizhi and his family of three stood in front of the gate to see him off.
Looking at them, the emperor suddenly felt a deep emptiness inside.
Shu Yang waved to him before he lowered the curtain.
Looking at her cute and clever appearance, Ji Huaizhi's words echoed in my mind:
Women in this era already have it tough enough; marriage brings them no benefit whatsoever, and the idea of a woman obeying her husband is not something I want to see.
If she wants, I will support her in doing whatever she wants.
I also don't want her to be tormented by feudal ethics and die a miserable life in a secluded mansion.
My daughter was born as a tool for national alliances. Her marriage must be considered in the interests of the country. From the moment she was born, she was burdened with the mission of a political marriage.
The emperor's mind was filled with a multitude of thoughts.
After returning to the palace, he did not go to bed immediately, but went to the Second Princess's palace alone and stood there for a while.
Ji Huaizhi, oh Ji Huaizhi.
Your words are really irritating me.
Suddenly, I felt a pang of envy for Ji Huaizhi. When he came out of prison, the weight in my heart suddenly lifted.
What the Prime Minister said is incorrect.
(over)
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