Chapter 88: No King or Minister for a Moment
Yun Zhao is building up her own power, and she is also cultivating people she values in all aspects.
Following Yan Huichun's prescription, Yun Zhao went to Zichen Hall to fumigate Xiao Jin after he finished his work.
The smell of medicine evaporated with the heat, and the whole hall was filled with the smell of medicine.
In the evening, the bedroom of the Purple Palace was filled with a strong and bitter herbal scent, which was very different from the usual ambergris, but it also brought a strange sense of peace.
Yun Zhao carefully helped Xiao Jin sit down on a specially made stool and placed a silver basin filled with boiling medicinal soup on the stool at his feet.
"Your Majesty, the medicine basin is directly in front of you," her voice seemed especially gentle in the lingering heat. "All you need to do is lean forward slightly and let the medicinal vapors fumigate your eyes. The prescription says it will take two cups of tea, and I will keep an eye on the time for you."
Xiao Jin hummed a low "hmm" and leaned down obediently. Then he said, "Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yun Zhao expressed his gratitude and sat down upright about two meters away from him. This distance was in accordance with etiquette and allowed him to be cared for at any time.
The medicinal vapors rose, blurring Xiao Jin's outline. He suddenly spoke, his voice piercing through the mist. It sounded like a casual conversation, but every word touched upon the court and her vulnerability: "The 'Qinghuo Tea' you sent today is delicious. Tell me, what reward do you desire? I'll grant it to you."
Yun Zhao narrowed his gaze slightly, and his tone was respectful yet subtle, emphasizing the key point: "It is a blessing for that tea to be favored by Your Majesty. I was too busy at the time, but fortunately Xiao Tao is reliable and dependable. Thank you, Your Majesty, for trusting the person I selected."
Xiao Jin seemed oblivious to her hidden meaning and continued on his own train of thought, each piece of information more powerful than the last. "The people who went to Jingxiang have returned with a secret report, stating that everything is proceeding as planned and going very smoothly. Your father, Marshal Yun, will also be returning to the capital soon by imperial decree."
He paused, his tone becoming more casual. "As for your brother Yun Zheng's marriage, he seems to have someone he likes. Do you know?"
Yun Zhao, who had originally disliked the smell of the medicine and was secretly holding her breath, was immediately captivated by these words. She carefully replied, "I have heard that my brother seems to have a fondness for the daughter of the Yunshan Earl. Your Majesty... is he planning to arrange a marriage for them?"
Xiao Jin paused behind the mist and turned the tables: "If I don't grant it, you won't fight for this marriage for your brother?"
[Sure enough, he's waiting here.] Yun Zhao understood and spoke more cautiously, "Brother's marriage is decided by our parents. If he doesn't say so, I wouldn't dare interfere. Besides..."
There was a touch of self-mockery in her voice. "My own marriage has already caused a lot of controversy. I really have no face and no right to comment on my brother's marriage."
Having offended the King of Qin and politely declined the King of Jin, if I say anything more now, I'm afraid I'll become a target of public criticism.
Xiao Jin accurately caught the subtlest ripple in her tone and suddenly changed the subject: "So, I didn't grant Prince Jin's request for a gift. Do you... feel regretful?"
[Regret? Absolutely not! I swore not to marry into the royal family again, so why should I regret it?] She answered quickly in her mind, but her face remained calm, even offering to pave the way for him: "Your Majesty, you are joking. I am a humble and stubborn person, how can I be worthy of His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin? I have heard that the granddaughter of the Yu family, who has been raised by the Lord since childhood, is kind and intelligent, well-read, and a true virtuous wife. She is a perfect match for His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin."
Xiao Jin tilted his head slightly towards her, his tone unclear, "Oh? You're looking for a princess for my brother?"
"Isn't it all to please you? You originally wanted to use the marriage to win over the Yu Ge Lao faction, to consolidate the imperial power and put an end to the Prince of Jin's ambitions, killing two birds with one stone. I'm just giving you a way out."
She understood everything, but her tone became even more sincere: "I dare not. I simply feel that Miss Yu's family background and talent are quite compatible with Your Highness. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The corners of Xiao Jin's mouth rose slightly, almost imperceptibly - he loved hearing her honest words, each one more outrageous than the last.
He deliberately said, "Just a moment ago you said you didn't dare interfere in government affairs, and now you even dare to comment on the selection of the prince's wife?"
Seeing that no one else was in the hall, Yun Zhao relaxed a little, even adding a rare hint of sarcasm: "Your Majesty, haven't I meddled enough in matters? I'm afraid that if you decide to put the bow and bird away one day, the reasons would fill three pages."
Xiao Jin almost laughed out loud at her words, but he quickly covered it up with a cough, feeling inexplicably happy. "Okay, in that case, tomorrow I will issue an edict granting a marriage between your brother and the daughter of Earl Yunshan, and between Prince Jin and Miss Yu. Are you satisfied?"
Yun Zhao readily accepted the advice, speaking cheerfully, "Your Majesty's wise decision is unconditional. How dare I be dissatisfied? I've observed that Your Majesty's strategic planning has become increasingly adept. I just wonder... when I can finally retire and enjoy some leisure time."
Xiao Jin snorted, "The Yun family is full of loyal and brave men. Your father and brothers are fighting for me at the border, and yet you're thinking of quitting the palace and getting married at such a young age?"
Yun Zhao cleverly avoided the topic of "getting married" and only sighed, "If Your Majesty truly cares for me, why not find a fault with me, demote me to a commoner, and throw me out of the palace? This would also save me from the daily toil. Since the beginning of winter, the six bureaus have been busy with complicated affairs, and I have no time to rest."
Xiao Jin, however, accurately grasped the gap in her words. His voice deepened a bit, carrying a subtle inquiry: "It seems that you don't want to get married, but you just don't want to marry someone with the surname Xiao, right?"
[That's right! The royal family is ruthless, and the royal family is in turmoil. I avoid it as much as possible. How could I get stuck in the quagmire again?]
She cried out inwardly, but at the right moment, she glanced at the hourglass beside her and quickly changed the subject, her tone returning to a serious tone: "Your Majesty, the time has come. Please stand up and slowly open your eyes to see if you are clearer than before."
Xiao Jin stood up as instructed and tried to look into the distance. After a moment, a hint of subtle disappointment lingered in his voice: "It's still blurry. Only the outlines of light and shadow can be seen. Details are still hard to discern."
Yun Zhao carefully examined his expression and calmly analyzed, "It seems that external fumigation is ultimately auxiliary. The key is to ensure the effectiveness of the internal medicine. Your Majesty, are you ready to retire now, or... do you need me to read a few memorials to you?"
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