Haimen (Part 1)
Queen Xue Lian of Qiankun Kingdom was terminally ill. When she was dying, all the princes and their wives came to Kunning Palace to bid her farewell.
When Li Lie'ao, Li Jiancheng, Li Lin, and Li Ji walked out of the dormitory, their red eyes, soaked with tears, looked even more chilling and sad against the heavy rain and the dim light shining through the carved palace walls.
"Princess Xuan, the Queen has summoned you alone. I and the other princes will not be entering."
Since entering the palace, apart from her prejudice against Li Lin, Xue Lian has taught her a lot about the harem and treated her and other concubines very fairly. Now that she is summoned by him, she feels sad as well as confused.
When I entered the room, I saw Xue Lian lying on the bed with disheveled hair, lifeless eyes and pale lips. His thin face was very different from before.
Chen Ying walked over gracefully and knelt beside Xue Lian's bed. Xue Lian immediately held Chen Ying's hand.
"Qing'er...you are the one I trust most among all my imperial daughters-in-law. I hope your abilities will be put to good use."
Chen Ying was shocked. She could feel Xue Lian's emotion from her weak but eager strength. "Mother, you are too kind. Your daughter-in-law will do her best." Chen Ying responded softly.
"Although you are the mother of a nation, you mistreat your children. Pingyang was a woman, but we did not stop her, leading to her early sacrifice for the country. Ji'er was ugly and was abandoned by me since childhood. Jiancheng has been the only one with us for ten years, and he has an arrogant temper, so we often spoil him. Lin'er is too capable, so we have to control him. We don't trust him. I understand his alienation."
Chen Yun raised his eyes and met Xue Lian's expectant gaze, his heart tangled. What did the person in front of him mean?
Xue Lian shook her head slightly, then laboriously fished out an ancient jade pendant from under her pillow and handed it to Chen Yun: "This is a family heirloom from my mother's family. I'm giving it to you today."
Chen Yun quickly took the jade pendant. The coldness and warmth on his touch intertwined, like the coldness of the past and the warmth of today. Chen Yun said solemnly, "Daughter-in-law understands."
Xue Lian smiled with relief, her tense body slowly relaxing. She peered through the window lattice at the gloomy sky, "I'm so sorry for Lin'er. I've only treated him unfairly my entire life! He was so lovable when he was little... Yun'er, I hope you can love Lin'er well for me. Support him. He truly loves you."
Tears welled up in Xue Lian's eyes. "Qing'er, remember, don't challenge human nature. Even the kindest people have their ugly sides. People can't stand the test. If you're destined to be the emperor, then be the emperor."
Xue Lian slowly turned her head and looked at Chen Yin, her lips slightly opening and closing as if she wanted to say something, but in the end no sound came out and her hands dropped weakly.
Although Xue Lian was praised by the court and the people, he was criticized for his treatment of his children. But now, perhaps with his end near, his words were kind and true. Perhaps this is the truth behind the saying, "Raising a child for a hundred years means worrying for ninety-nine."
It was because the son ignored her and the mother did not say anything that led to the separation between mother and son. In the end, she still placed her greatest hopes on the people around her son, which made Chen Ying shed tears unconsciously, because her father was the same.
"Mother! Mother!" Chen Yan shouted anxiously, his voice filled with tears.
Outside the door, they heard wailing sounds from the bedroom and understood everything. Everyone knelt, and the queen left.
However, the Empress's death gave the harem an opportunity to exploit the situation. Rumors within the harem led to the dismissal of Chen Yun's godfather, Huang Jian, and the separation of retainers and staff from Prince Xuan's residence. However, when Li Lin proposed an investigation into the poisoning incident at the banquet, Li Li'ao randomly selected subordinates of Li Jiancheng and Li Ji as scapegoats, beheading them and letting the matter drop.
Chen Ying knew very well that the influence of the harem on Prince Xuan's Palace was nothing more than the instigation of Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Li Ji. In order to build good relations, Chen Ying continued to go to the harem to build relationships with the emperor's concubines in order to ease the relationship.
On this day, Chen Yun and Li Lin brought Wei Ningshuang and Yan Ruoxi to the palace. However, when they arrived at the back garden, they saw Li Lieo and several concubines feeding grapes to each other from a distance.
Li Lin behind him sneered, then said, "You haven't even finished your hundred-day mourning period, and you're already having sex with a woman in the back garden. Princess, I'll go visit my ninth sister and the virtuous concubine first. Clear your eyes and ears."
After watching Li Lin leave, Chen Yun said to Wei Ningshuang and Yan Ruoxi, "Our goal is to balance the relationship between the palace and the concubines. Be humble and make friends."
Li Lin had not walked far when he met Li Jiancheng and Li Ji at the red wall of the palace. Chang Zhi, the deputy commander of the imperial guards, was also there.
Chang Zhi is Li Lin's spy who has been stationed next to Li Jiancheng for many years. He is loyal but timid.
Li Jiancheng spoke first: "Second brother, the fourth brother will be appointed as the governor of Hebei Province the day after tomorrow. Let's go to Haimen to celebrate his departure at noon on that day!"
Chang Zhi kept winking at Li Lin from behind.
Li Lin said impatiently: "Your humble servant will keep the appointment. I will go back to my father first."
Li Jiancheng and Li Ji exchanged a strange smile. Then they bowed and left.
When Chang Zhi saw Li Jiancheng and Li Ji leaving, he quickly stuffed the paper ball into Li Lin's waist and followed them.
Li Lin looked at him doubtfully, then picked up the paper ball and looked at it while walking. In an instant, his face turned pale and his eyes widened.
"Chang Zhi is someone I bribed. If the information is correct... I've been accused of rebellion... disaster is imminent!"
So Li Lin immediately rushed back to the garden.
On the other side, Chen Yun, Wei Ningshuang and Yan Ruoxi were drinking tea and appreciating paintings.
Chen Yun placed the box on the table. Li Lieao was very pleased with it, but Concubine Li beside him seemed not to hear. She turned to Concubine Rong beside her and said, "Sister, look, this Concubine Xuan is acting very strangely now. I don't know what she is thinking."
Rongpin smiled sweetly and agreed, "Sister, you're right. Perhaps she wants to use her connections in the harem to present good products to His Majesty, so that the relationship between the Supreme Xuan King and His Majesty can improve."
"You are too kind, Concubine Li. With the recent frequent events and the hot weather, I'm sure your appetites have decreased. I brought you some highland milk as a token of my appreciation."
Seeing this, Concubine Li was even more pleased. She slowly stood up and walked to Chen Yun, looking her up and down. Suddenly, she reached out and pinched Chen Yun's chin, saying in a cold voice, "Princess Xuan, don't think that you can control the harem just because you are a little pretty. There are some things that you cannot interfere with."
Chen Yun only felt pain in his chin, but he did not dare to struggle and could only silently endure Concubine Li's humiliation.
"Turning the world upside down? I don't understand what that means. If there's anything I haven't done well, I hope Concubine Li can teach me more. With Concubine Li being so smart, I'm sure I'll benefit a lot."
Rongpin said: "Everyone in the palace knows that the late Empress Xianmu summoned you alone before her death. She also gave you a family heirloom. I'm sure you have felt a lot..."
"That's enough." A hand pushed away from behind, and the person who came was Li Lin.
"Your Majesty, I will take the woman back home with me."
"Wait!" Li Lieo took out a jade pendant and placed it on the table.
"The Yanyou Kingdom sent a letter and gifts. They are gifts for their crown prince on the birth of a prince. They include a jade pendant from the late General Yan. The King of Yanyou has requested the return of Wei Liangdi's son. I do not wish to cause any conflict between the two countries. You should return the child as soon as possible."
Wei Ningshuang frowned. As the former princess consort of Yanyou Kingdom, she was framed by her ex-husband, the prince of Yanyou Kingdom, and was forced to marry Li Lin with her child. Now she was threatened with such insulting words. The humiliation and dissatisfaction in her heart could not override her relationship with the palace, and she could only swallow her resentment.
"Ningshuang doesn't want to hand the child over to those people. Ningshuang wants to ask father for advice on what to do."
"If you don't hand it over, are you unable to forget other men? You are a scoundrel concubine who brings disaster to the country. Don't make so many calculations! Taking you in is already indulging you."
Hearing Li Lie'ao's harsh rebuke, Concubine Li, standing beside her, became even more arrogant: "The problem is very simple, but some people want to make it worse. I wonder what their intentions are?"
Li Lin looked at Wei Ningshuang's aggrieved expression, almost on the verge of tears, and quickly explained: "Ningshuang's child has already been betrothed to me, and I consider him my own."
"Treat them as your own children. What a great way to treat them as your own children. So the same goes for Yan Buyang's jade pendant? It's actually in Yanyou Country. Does that mean General Yan is still alive and well?"
"General Yan's body is in Qiankun Country, and we should carefully investigate it."
"Are you saying I'm unfair? It's normal that there are only a few women around you besides Yun'er. Who can prove it?"
Yan Ruoxi argued unconvincedly: "May I ask Your Majesty, is it necessary for someone's life to be taken away in front of you before..."
Chen Yun quickly covered her mouth and tried to smooth things over: "Yan Liangdi meant that her father really had died on the battlefield."
Li Lie'ao continued, "Qing'er, you are too kind. Let me tell you, just like when your father was burned, you clearly had evidence, but you never brought him to justice. You are so sorry for your father."
"This old bastard is still fanning the flames, right? I'm going to knock you down on the bed..." Chen Yan was shocked. Although she was furious, she forced herself to suppress this thought. At this time, Li Lin pushed her and signaled her to calm down.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Yun'er may have her own difficulties. It's late now, and we have things to do. Let's not disturb Your Majesty and the concubines for now."
Watching Li Lin and the three concubines walk away, Concubine Li sneered, "This Chen Yun is really calm."
"Don't think I'm being unreasonable. Even those who are fanning the flames, I'm not old enough to be so confused."
After returning to the palace, Chen Yan kicked the chair away immediately. After thinking about it, he regretted it. He put the kicked chair in place again and sat down himself.
Wei Ningshuang slammed the table in anger, and Yan Ruoxi stomped her feet in anger.
Little did they know that the anger of the three men shocked the male staff members standing by.
Chen Feng came over and asked, "Three princesses...what's wrong with you?"
Chen Yun immediately said, "The emperor's first words were meant to irritate us! I can't understand what he wants from us."
Li Lin said coldly, "We have received news that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi have secretly informed Your Majesty that the Xuanwang Palace has been fully conspired and that the Xuanwang is about to rebel."
Everyone looked at Li Lin in surprise.
Chen Yun stood up and said, "Ningshuang, Ruoxi, do you support the prince's rebellion?"
Yan Ruoxi and Wei Ningshuang both agreed.
But Li Lin was still hesitant. He knew very well that he had no way out. However, once the family ties were broken, the throne would be illegitimate and would not be popular among the people.
Chen Feng raised his hand: "Rumors are terrifying! Since we have been planning in the palace for a long time, let's take action!"
Li Lin's eyes rolled around, he lowered his head, walked forward a few steps and fell silent.
Chen Yun said, "Your Highness, is it disrespectful for His Majesty to indulge in pleasure with other palace ladies during his mourning period?"
Chen Feng said, "My Lord! Let me do the dirty work! Let's kill them!"
Li Lin finished speaking and waved his sleeves, "Pass on my orders! Gather all the staff! Yun'er, prepare the banquet."
Soon, the banquet was ready and everyone had arrived. Li Lin stood in the center of the main hall, his eyes sweeping over everyone. He said in a deep voice, "I've called you all here today because I have something to discuss. I've received news that the Crown Prince and the King of Qi have secretly reported to Your Majesty, framing me and my entire palace for a rebellion. What do you all think?"
Chen Feng was the first to stand up: "If His Majesty thinks you are rebelling, you'd better really rebel, then we will have to take action!"
Chen Feng's father-in-law, Shi Taishou, and his fiancée Shi Qiqi, who were standing by, were also startled when they heard this. They also saw Chen Feng looking at them and knew that they were now sitting on the same boat.
Li Lin said, "The Prince of Qi has been assigned to the Hebei Province. The Crown Prince has decided that the three of us brothers will practice at Haimen the day after tomorrow. When that happens, the Prince of Qi will personally take action against me."
Governor Shi muttered to himself, "Has it come to this?"
Li Lin stood up and walked away, saying, "The Crown Prince has eight thousand soldiers under his command and also has command of the capital's troops. The three grassland cavalry divisions of the Prince of Qi have a total of thirty thousand cavalry commanders. Our Yan family army is under control, and the remaining retainers cannot be deployed, so we can only count on eight hundred soldiers from Prince Xuan's palace. What do you think? Should I go this time, or not?"
Fang Zaiqiao said, "Go, it's a good idea. Going there will isolate the enemy soldiers from the imperial city. If we can secretly transport our eight hundred men into the imperial city, the chances of victory will be on our side."
“Wait!”
Yuchi Muyan ignored Li Lin's interruption and said angrily, "We brothers followed you for wealth and honor, not to die. Eight hundred is eight hundred! If you keep nagging, we will leave the capital immediately!"
Everyone also gave their support.
Chen Feng rushed to Li Lin and said, "Eight hundred men are eight hundred men, and eight hundred men have their own fighting style! Your Highness, we can strike first. Let's do it! Kidnap His Majesty!"
Others echoed.
"Brothers killing each other, I always feel..." Li Lin shook his head helplessly.
Du Rufei shouted, "Your Highness, there is no room for hesitation! His Majesty will never make you the Crown Prince!"
"If I kill, I will become a sinner."
Chen Feng said without hesitation: "Then I will be the sinner!"
Fang Zai Qiao pointed at Li Lin and said, "You are the emperor in a peaceful world!"
Li Lin's eyes widened, and all the staff in front of him knelt down in front of him.
He didn't know how to start, and muttered to himself: "Start? Where to begin?"
Suddenly, a bowl smashed to the ground. The person who threw the bowl was Chen Yin. "Let's start with your courage as an emperor!"
Everyone looked at Chen Yun, who remained calm and composed in his seat. "May Your Highness conquer the world soon."
The human heart is in a state of flux, and the threat is like a knife at the neck, just one stroke away. The intertwined forces of the two make the answer clear: escape or prevail.
Li Lin was moved by the passionate atmosphere and his wife's support. He grabbed a bowl and filled it with wine. Then he emptied it out, threw it to the ground, and shouted, "Do it! If not for the sake of the human, then for the sake of the soul! Victory is long-lived, loss is eternal fame!"
Chen Yun answered without hesitation: "I can't lose!"
All the staff followed suit, stood on the ground, and made up their minds.
"If I'm not a human, then I'm a soul!"
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