Chapter 47 Questioning
Cao Song said, "All twenty-five concubines have been properly arranged. As the princess said, ten of them still had families to rely on, so they received money and returned home. Most of the others chose to move to the manor. Two others received money and left the mansion on their own, but their whereabouts are unknown. The servants and maids associated with these concubines have all returned their deeds, been paid, and released. The purchasers and officials who brought them in have also been sent away."
Sima Jun asked, "Can the manor house in Guangling County accommodate all these people?"
"It can accommodate us," Cao Song said. "When the late king was still alive, he had the manor built as a villa. But after it was completed, he seldom visited it, so it has remained empty. Now that the concubines are living there, the servants are readily available, so it's just right."
Sun Wei looked at Sima Jun and asked, "Does your Highness think this is appropriate?"
"Since it has been agreed upon long ago, let's do it." Sima Jun said, "How is Qu Ji doing?"
"I was just about to report this to the prince," Cao Song said. "After Qu Ji came to the princess to complain that day, she stopped. I don't know what method the princess used to persuade Qu Ji to stay. She even left in a hurry, as if she was afraid of being stopped. Two days ago, she left the palace before dawn."
"Oh?" Sima Jun looked at Sun Wei in surprise.
Sun Wei said calmly, "Qu Ji is not an unreasonable person. I appealed to her emotions and reasoned with her. After all, I made it clear to her, and she gave up."
Sima Jun laughed meaningfully, "I thought Madam was trying to scare Qu Ji with some kind of fate or something like that."
Sun Wei also laughed: "I am not a quack, I never bluff anyone."
Cao Song looked at the two of them secretly competing with each other, feeling helpless but also amused.
He was an old man in the palace and had practically watched Sima Jun grow up.
This prince had been arrogant and stern since childhood. Even in front of familiar figures like the Crown Prince or Chu Yue, he rarely laughed or yelled. And this concubine, the prince always claimed to disdain her, even to this day simply calling her "Madam." But in her presence, he would reveal a touch of youthfulness befitting his age. Even childish bickering like this was something Cao Song wouldn't even dare to engage in with anyone else.
He said hurriedly, "There is something I would like to ask your advice on. Earlier, because the concubines occupied the gardens of the harem, you were forced to live in Wufeng Courtyard. It's not that Wufeng Courtyard is bad, but it's a little small. Now that several courtyards have been vacated, such as Feihua Courtyard, there are many peach blossoms planted there. When spring comes, it will become a beautiful sight. What do you think, Princess?"
When Sun Wei heard Feihuayuan, he snorted in his heart.
Feihuayuan is beautiful, but it is located east and west of Sima Jun's Chiju. Unless something important happens, the two of them may not see each other all day, let alone find out Sima Jun's whereabouts.
Cao Song thought she didn't know Feihuayuan, so he was courteous to her on the surface, but secretly he was helping Sima Jun move people.
dream.
"That sounds wonderful," Sun said with a smile. "But I observed the celestial phenomena tonight and saw a comet approaching Taiwei. Moving the house would harm the fortune of the palace. Why not wait a while until this strange phenomenon disappears?"
Cao Song quickly agreed.
Sima Jun almost couldn't help but ask, if moving house is harmful to the royal palace's fortune, then what about dismissing more than twenty concubines in one go?
He sneered and said, "Madam is right. It's inconvenient for Madam to even move to another yard. You should just call off your trip to the East China Sea."
Sun Wei knew that this matter could not be let go.
She sighed, "If I quit, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to the palace."
Sima Jun was too lazy to argue with her: "Since the comet is approaching Taiwei, it is clear that this journey is quite dangerous. Madam, if you go with us, you will definitely be a burden."
Sun Wei, however, remained calm. "That's not the case. The comet struck Taiwei. Taiwei is the minister, and Ziwei is the ruler. If the minister is in trouble, the ruler can save him. The Crown Prince is the star of Taiwei, and he is also the ruler of Ziwei. Following the Crown Prince, I will be blessed by the heavens. Therefore, my journey to the East Sea is not only safe, but will actually benefit the palace. The Crown Prince is a concern for the palace, so he should allow me to go to the East Sea."
Sima Jun looked at Sun Wei without saying anything.
Facing that deep gaze, Sun Wei couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.
She knew Sima Jun.
That's how he was when he was unhappy, his dark eyes staring at people without a word, his intimidation evident even without anger. It seemed as if the wind around them had grown colder.
Sun Wei took a deep breath, trying to pretend nothing happened. But as soon as their eyes met, she turned away unconsciously.
"Go down." After a while, he said to Cao Song.
Cao Song quickly agreed, called his followers, and retreated.
Only Sima Jun and Sun Wei were left in the hall.
"Madam, you have divined for Zhuo Jing and she said that his life is in danger. Madam, you should be very clear that the danger I described is indeed true, right?" Sima Jun said slowly.
Sun Wei knew that Chu Yue would not hide this from Sima Jun.
"Your Excellency is wise," Sun Wei said calmly, "As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand. While there are dangers, they are not predetermined. That is why, if I accompany you, I can help General Chu avoid danger."
"Madam told Zhuo Jing that his trip was extremely dangerous and that Zhuo Jing desperately needed someone like you to resolve the situation. Coincidentally, the Queen also took a liking to you and asked you to accompany her," Sima Jun said. "Madam, don't you think this is quite a coincidence?"
Sun Wei blinked and said, "It's indeed a coincidence. But you should ask yourself, Your Highness, when have I ever harmed you? You have always distrusted my abilities. Even if you are right, I am just a weak woman, powerless. How could I possibly harm anyone?"
Sima Jun did not answer.
She really didn't harm Sima Jun, and she even helped him with many things.
But this time, Sima Jun still felt something was amiss. He was accustomed to thoroughly investigating anyone's background before trusting them. But Sun Wei seemed shrouded in a fog that he couldn't see through.
Without waiting for him to speak, Sun Wei suddenly sighed deeply, and then tears flashed in her eyes.
"I know the Crown Prince loathes me." Sun Wei bowed her head, her voice choking with sobs. "The late king died on the way to his wedding. Logically, I shouldn't have lived alone after such a fate. But I still remember the first time I met the late king, he said that the Crown Prince was his greatest joy. But the current political situation is unstable and treacherous, and he often feels powerless, constantly worried about the Crown Prince's future. The older he gets, the more this matter weighs on his mind. He took me in as his successor because he wanted to add strength to the palace, hoping that I, with my family's knowledge, could ensure the Crown Prince's safety and success. I never said this before because I didn't want the Crown Prince to mistakenly think I was relying on the late king to pressure him. But I am ultimately dull-witted. Although I have repeatedly helped the Crown Prince, I still cannot earn his trust. Well, since that's the case, I will inform the Queen Dowager tomorrow and request to leave the palace. I will spend the rest of my life as a vigilant at the late king's tomb, with no other aspirations."
After saying this, she bowed deeply to Sima Jun.
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