Chapter 233 No Intention of Rebellion
On the way back to the palace from Yonghe Palace,
Yunshan warmed up a new hot water bottle for Song Zhao.
Before helping Song Zhao into the sedan chair, she unbuttoned the button on Song Zhao's collar and asked in a low voice:
"Do you think that if the imperial concubine persuades General Ning, the Ning family will be willing to give up the military power in their hands?"
Song Zhao looked back at the luxurious and magnificent Yonghe Palace, shook his head slightly, and did not answer.
The Ning family has come to this point today. Regardless of whether the military power is handed over or not, they are already at the end of their strength.
If Ning Baichuan is unwilling to hand over the military power, then Xiao Jingheng will sooner or later use an iron fist to take it back from him, and even accuse him of treason, making him despised by everyone.
If he handed over his military power, his fate would not be good.
Over the years, the Ning family father and son have taken countless bribes by taking advantage of their official positions, so how could Xiao Jingheng not investigate?
Things have come to this point, no matter what they do, the Ning family is doomed.
The reason why Song Zhao asked Concubine Chen to persuade Ning Baichuan was,
It was because she knew that Xiao Jingheng asked Concubine Chen to meet his mother's family at this time, probably to test Concubine Chen's feelings.
During this meeting with the Ning family, Xiao Jingheng would definitely send spies to monitor their conversation throughout the entire process.
If Concubine Chen's words of advice to Ning Baichuan could reach Xiao Jingheng's ears, then in the future Xiao Jingheng would probably, because of this matter and their old friendship, give Concubine Chen a way to live.
Concubine Chen saved Chengyu's life, and Song Zhao owed her this favor, so he should repay it.
As for the life and death, misfortune and happiness of her mother's family, it was all up to fate and not something Song Zhao could control on his own.
At lunch time the next day, Jiang Deshun and Ning Baichuan and his wife went to Yonghe Palace to pay their respects to Concubine Chen.
Concubine Chen hasn't seen her father and mother for two years.
When I saw him again today, my father's face was weathered, his hair was white, and there was a new scar on his left cheek that was still slightly red.
My mother has taken good care of herself, and there is no trace of the passing of time on her face.
Her skin was as white as cream, her lips were as red as rosy, her figure was graceful, and she was adorned with pearls and jades, just as rich and beautiful as she was.
Because they were in the palace, the two had to kneel down and pay homage to Concubine Chen.
But Concubine Chen never cared about these red tapes.
She didn't care that Jiang Deshun was still standing by and hurried forward to help her parents up.
"What are you doing, father and mother? I am an unfilial daughter and cannot be by your side. It is so hard for me to see you, but you still want me to kneel down like this. Don't you want me to feel uneasy?"
Jiang Deshun nodded, not wanting to mention any rules at this time, and bowed and said with a smile:
"Your Highness, you haven't seen your family for a long time. I think you have a lot to say. I will go back to Chaoyang Palace to report, and then come back to welcome General Ning out of the palace at 3 p.m."
After he left, Han tightly grasped Concubine Chen's hand, choking with tears in her eyes.
"Wan'er, mother always thinks about you. I see that everything is going well for you now, and the emperor treats you like a treasure. Now you are pregnant with twins, which is a blessing from heaven. Mother is really happy for you."
Seeing her mother crying, Concubine Chen's eyes also turned red.
"Don't cry, mother. The emperor has granted you and father special permission to stay in his daughter's palace for lunch. It's not convenient to talk in this windy place, so let's go in first."
When she helped Han into the house, Ning Baichuan, who followed beside her, said nothing, but took out a white handkerchief from his arms and handed it to Han, asking her to wipe her tears.
It really seemed strange to take this girl's thing out of the arms of this eight-foot-tall man.
But Concubine Chen was used to seeing such scenes when she was at home.
Everyone thinks Ning Baichuan has a fierce and intimidating face, but only Concubine Chen knows the tender side of her father.
Ning Baichuan only married Han in his life, but for an official of his position, he would have had countless wives and concubines, let alone concubines.
Concubine Chen has watched her parents love each other since she was young, and she naturally hopes that one day she will be able to find a man like her father who can give her unconditional love like her father loves her mother.
At this moment, she was smiling as she watched her parents loving each other, but she was also thinking in her heart,
When she gives birth to twins in the future, her position in Xiao Jingheng's heart will definitely surpass that of all other women.
Then, she could probably live with her ideal man, as loving and caring as her parents, right?
Later, during the meal, Concubine Chen told Ning Baichuan that she wanted the Ning family to hand over the military power.
She thought Ning Baichuan would be unhappy.
But he just put down his chopsticks and remained silent for a moment, then said:
"I will discuss this matter with your brother before making a final decision. This is a matter of the previous dynasty, and the harem is not allowed to interfere. The most important thing for you now is to take good care of your baby."
After saying this, his eyes inadvertently fell on Concubine Chen's bulging belly.
I was overwhelmed with emotions at the moment, and something to say was on the tip of my tongue, but in the end I didn't say anything.
Ning Baichuan has been in the officialdom for so many years, and he is well aware of the Ning family's current dilemma.
He had never intended to rebel, and had long thought about handing over the military power to Xiao Jingheng.
But it is also a fact that he took bribes. Now that the world is at peace, military generals have no place to use their talents. If he loses the military power again, it is inevitable that Xiao Jingheng will settle the score with him and get rid of him.
But he also knew,
As long as the military power is not handed over, her daughter will always be under the watchful eyes of her husband, and she may not even be able to give birth to her own children.
After returning to his residence in the capital that day, Ning Baichuan called his eldest son Ning Xiuqi and explained to him Concubine Chen's intentions.
Ning Xiuqi heard this and said:
"Over the years, our Ning family has received countless benefits in private. When the country was in turmoil and the court was recruiting people, the emperor could still turn a blind eye to this matter. But now that the world is peaceful, if father hands over the military power, do you think the emperor will let us go?"
Ning Baichuan said, "If the military power is not handed over, how can Wan'er live a good life in the palace? You know how much your sister loves the emperor. You also know that her miscarriage last time almost made her so sad that she almost lost half her life. If the twins in her belly cannot be born safely this time, won't it be the end of your sister's life?"
There was a turbid light in his eyes, and he sneered disdainfully:
"Let's talk about the word 'greed'. Who among the civil and military officials in the court is not greedy? The higher the official position, the more greedy one is. The more greedy one is, the more one can work for the court. The Ning family has made great contributions to the Qi Dynasty. If it weren't for the Ning family, there would be countless people in the Qi Dynasty who would be displaced and hungry. The filial piety money is what we deserve."
Ning Xiuqi said in a deep voice: "Whether we deserve it or not depends on how the emperor considers it. Once we hand over the military power, it means that we have lost the initiative. Life and death all depend on the emperor's decision. Father... think twice."
"Now the country is peaceful and the people are safe, all the nations in the world are subject to our Great Qi, and there is no place for you and me to use our military power. Therefore, as my father, I plan to resign from the emperor and return home after handing over the military power.
It would be best if you could stay away from trouble like your father and return to the countryside. I have no intention of treason, but your speculation is a more serious crime than treason."
When Ning Baichuan said this, he kept paying attention to the complicated expression on Ning Xiuqi's face.
He was young and passionate, and had his own ambitions, so naturally he was unwilling to retire at the peak of his career.
So Ning Baichuan patted his shoulder and said meaningfully:
"The money we have saved in our mansion in Sichuan and Shaanxi is enough to make us rich for more than ten generations. Qi'er, sometimes you have to give in order to gain."
Ning Xiuqi was still reluctant from the bottom of his heart.
But he really doted on his sister who was trapped in the palace and indulged in love.
If the military power is not handed over, the emperor may be wary of the Ning family all his life, but it is not easy to turn against the Ning family. He can only keep the situation like this and maintain superficial harmony.
But my sister lives in the deep palace, trapped behind red walls, and her parents cannot see her. She only has her husband to rely on.
Ning Xiuqi couldn't bear to see his sister live a miserable life, so he could only sigh and agree with his father.
"If father decides to do so, I will follow him. As for Wan'er...as her elder brother, I don't expect her to ascend the throne and bring glory to our family. As long as she can be truly happy and live a peaceful and smooth life in the palace, that will be great."
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