Just then, someone advised Emperor Mingde, "Your Majesty, if Prince Yong and the Crown Prince are in grave danger, the war situation is likely to turn bad. The Bei Zhong family is much more difficult to deal with than we imagined. If something really happens to the Prince and the Crown Prince, it will be very detrimental to the country. Your Majesty, please find a way to stabilize the generals."
Emperor Mingde could not have imagined that a defeat in battle would affect morale, especially since the Crown Prince and the princes had both been defeated, which would greatly damage the prestige of the imperial family. If any generals harbored rebellious intentions or were bribed, Da Yong would be in grave danger.
But he remained calm, saying, "I trust the Imperial Guard."
"Your Majesty, people's hearts are unfathomable. I have said all I can say. Your Majesty should consider this carefully."
These words were like a thorn deeply embedded in Emperor Mingde's heart. People's hearts are unpredictable; even brothers can turn against each other, let alone someone else's son.
After the court session, he was invited to Weiyang Palace. Yi De was just like the poets described, innocent and naive, like a courtesan oblivious to the sorrow of a fallen nation. She busied herself preparing food for Emperor Mingde and giving him massages to relax him. "Zi Yi, this chilled watermelon has a cooling effect. Try it. State affairs are important, but your health is more important. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Emperor Mingde opened his eyes, waiting for her to feed him, but Yide refused, saying, "You're not a child anymore. You can't eat by yourself. This watermelon tastes better when you hold it and eat it yourself."
She instructed someone to hand Emperor Mingde a watermelon the size of a ladle, cut open, and insert a spoon into the red flesh. "Hold it and eat it spoonful by spoonful; that's the most delicious way."
Emperor Mingde chuckled, "Do you still remember when we used to steal watermelons from other people's melon fields together? Time really flies, decades have passed."
Yi De strongly disagreed, but joined in reminiscing about the past, "Yes, time flies so fast, in the blink of an eye we're both old. But Zi Yi, what does stealing mean? This world is yours, let alone a watermelon."
"Hahaha, that makes sense, but this world may not be mine in a few days. When that time comes, I will have nothing left. Will you still stay by my side?" He held Yide's hand and looked at her as if she were his lover or wife.
Yi De smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. This way, she didn't have to look him in the eye, and she felt more at ease. "I used to think you were a poor boy, or a businessman. I didn't look down on you then, so there's no reason for me to look down on you now."
People always like to look back on the friendships they had in their youth. The friendships of youth seem to have a kind of magic that makes people unable to help but believe in them.
Emperor Mingde was not actually satisfied with this answer.
However, Yi De soon said what he wanted to hear, "Besides, you are not without anything. You possess the world and are the supreme ruler. I am only afraid that when I get old and lose my beauty, you will despise me."
Everyone has vanity, but the difference lies in the level and the degree of vanity. For someone like Emperor Mingde, his vanity can be described as insatiable, it was endless.
After Yi De finished speaking, he laughed loudly and fed Yi De a bite of watermelon, saying, "I would never dislike you, no matter who you are."
"Ziyi, promise me you won't work too hard. Let your ministers do everything. You support them, not so they can do nothing. You are the emperor, you don't need to work so hard." She nestled in Emperor Mingde's arms, her words timid, as if she might lose Emperor Mingde at any moment, filled with extreme fear.
Emperor Mingde patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, I am the emperor, I will be fine."
"Then why did you say those foolish things? They made me very uneasy." Her tears had already streamed down her cheeks and landed on Emperor Mingde's dragon robe.
Emperor Mingde lowered his head and hugged her tightly with heartache, "It's alright, don't worry."
"How can I be at ease? Bi'er is still imprisoned by Prince Jing. I heard that Prince Yong and the Crown Prince... and... Zi Yi. I'm scared." She curled up into a ball, as if she was really terrified, her body trembling.
"It's alright, I still have a strong army. The Weiting Division is already attacking Shu. Those treacherous officials will soon be wiped out. Don't worry, I will definitely rescue Bi'er."
Yi De sat up straight, looking at him with teary eyes, "Zi Yi, why don't I go and save Bi'er myself? I don't feel at ease putting my hopes on others."
Emperor Mingde was suddenly startled. The words "placing hope in others" seemed to have a magical power, lingering in his mind. He also recalled the words of his courtiers: "You can't see into someone's heart."
After appeasing Yide, he went straight to the Taihe Hall and summoned the court officials, including Qiu Chengshi and others who had good relations with the Weitingsi.
This included Prince Hui and Prince Jin. Neither of them had taken up their fiefdoms and had remained in the capital. Therefore, by handing over their fiefdoms, they escaped the danger of being killed. They were still relatives whom Emperor Mingde could trust and would consult with when necessary.
After expressing their concerns, which were a mix of truth and falsehood, Prince Hui and Prince Jin exchanged a glance and immediately understood what Emperor Mingde was worried about. They were simply concerned that the Weiting Division might rebel or be bribed.
In other words, Emperor Mingde no longer trusted the Weitingsi, but he also couldn't trust anyone else.
Therefore, he needed to use methods to restrain Wei Tingsi and keep him firmly under his control.
"Your Majesty, how about a marriage alliance?" Prince Hui was already considering his daughters and granddaughters of marriageable age. After the reduction of the power of the princes, the power of the aristocratic families and princes would be greatly weakened. Wei Tingsi was the Grand Marshal of the Army and Commander ...
Prince Jin also agreed with Prince Hui's suggestion and was also eyeing Wei Tingsi. He knew his own limitations; his principal wife would definitely not leave Prince Jin's residence. Sending a concubine's daughter as a mistress would be fine. "Your Majesty, I think you are right. A marriage alliance is the most suitable."
"Is there a suitable candidate?" This legal wife must be easy to control and manipulate, so naturally, he ruled out Zhao Shu.
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