Chapter 71 [71] "Sima Jiu, you bad guy!"...
【71】/First release
Noon, the main hall of Zichen Palace.
Emperor Wenxuan had not yet returned, and all was quiet.
Sima Jing stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, his eyes slowly sweeping across this familiar hall.
The neat floor was paved with golden bricks, shining brightly. In the middle was a rosewood throne, the back of which was inlaid with a whole piece of Hetian warm jade and carved with the pattern of a five-clawed golden dragon. Two golden dragons were wrapped around the armrests, and green jade tassels hung where the dragon's tails hung.
There are two treasure pavilions on both sides of the throne, which display various jade ornaments, glass and agarwood, which are dazzling and magnificent.
Compared with the Zi Chen Palace in my memory, not much has changed.
However, the owner of the throne changed from his father to his elder brother.
He was young at that time and did not know that the throne could only be sat on by the emperor.
The emperor doted on him, held him in his arms and asked him if he liked it.
He felt it was too hard and uncomfortable, and said he didn't like it.
The emperor laughed heartily.
He didn't know what was so funny about his father, he only knew that the matter later spread and his brother also found out.
Children are very sensitive to emotions. During that time, he clearly noticed that his brother was very cold towards him.
He doesn't understand.
It's just a chair, what's wrong with sitting on it? And he already said he didn't like it.
Why would his brother be angry with him for this?
It was not until he was exiled to Rongdi that he realized what this throne meant.
But he still felt it was ridiculous to be angry about something like this.
Aren't they brothers?
Later, he learned that there were no fathers and sons in the royal family, let alone brothers and sisters.
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
A thin voice sounded from outside the hall, breaking the silence.
Sima Jing shifted his gaze from the throne and looked sideways outside, and saw Emperor Wenxuan in a vermilion brocade robe with a dragon pattern.
He walks like a dragon and a tiger, his face is flushed and he looks full of energy.
After just one glance, Sima Jing lowered his eyes and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed."
"No need to be so polite, get up."
Emperor Wenxuan raised his hand slightly and walked forward, saying, "We've been discussing government affairs for a while now, and I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
As he spoke, he frowned and scolded the eunuchs in the palace: "A bunch of blind people, don't even know how to bring a chair for the prince?"
The eunuchs standing in the hall were like frightened birds, and they knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Sima Jing watched coldly, really impatient with this pretentious drama.
He lifted his eyelids and looked at Emperor Wenxuan: "I wonder why Your Majesty has suddenly summoned me?"
Emperor Wenxuan looked at his younger brother in front of him.
I don’t know how he could have grown taller than me given the lack of food and clothing in Rongdi.
Emperor Wenxuan did not like the feeling of looking up when talking to people, so he climbed the stairs and sat on the rosewood throne with carved dragons.
"Nothing much."
Emperor Wenxuan said, "I just thought I hadn't seen you and your wife for the entire New Year, so I summoned you to the palace for a simple meal."
After a pause, he looked at the dark green figure standing in the hall: "Why is my sister-in-law not here?"
Sima Jing said, "She caught a cold while watching the lanterns last night. I didn't invite her over because I was afraid she might get sick."
Emperor Wenxuan knew that this was an excuse, but he couldn't help but look at Sima Jing again.
Unexpectedly, his mother's random matchmaking actually found someone she liked for him.
"If Your Majesty has any instructions, please tell me directly."
Sima Jing spoke calmly, his dark eyes gazing calmly forward, "If it's just a meal, I haven't had a good appetite lately. I'm afraid I'll spoil your Majesty's mood, so I'll be reluctant to join you."
Emperor Wenxuan: “…”
The hands on his knees clenched silently, he exhaled deeply, and then glanced at the palace servants beside him: "Everyone, step back."
The palace maids looked at each other with their eyes and noses, and retreated silently like wandering souls.
Soon, only two brothers were left in the huge Zichen Palace.
One up and one down, although the distance between them is not too far, it seems as if there are thousands of mountains and valleys between them, facing each other from afar.
"You don't have to be so sarcastic."
Emperor Wenxuan looked at him and said, "I summoned you and the princess to the palace today because I sincerely want to have a meal with you and discuss your future plans."
Sima Jing's eyelids moved slightly, and he looked at the person sitting in the upper seat silently.
Emperor Wenxuan also looked at him, looking at this younger brother who had been the focus of attention and pampering since birth, who was still extremely handsome even after returning from his journey with the Rongdi tribe, and was arguably the most handsome and elegant brother of the Sima family.
I could hear the opening of the new year's court session today. The always strict and upright censor took the initiative to submit a petition, requesting that the court commend Princess Jing for her love for the people and her selfless dedication to saving others. Then, the old uncle of the king, Duke Su, also stepped forward and praised Princess Jing profusely, saying, "It's been seven years since Prince Jing returned to the court. Now that the rumors about his wife being unlucky have been disproven, and he has a virtuous wife to help him manage the household, it would be a pity if he remained idle at home. Looking back, among the late emperor's sons, Prince Jing was the most intelligent and kindhearted..."
When Duke Su said this, many officials immediately agreed.
Some of them were old ministers of the previous emperor's dynasty, some were remonstrators and loyal ministers, and two were confidants promoted by Emperor Wenxuan.
Emperor Wenxuan understood the attitude of old ministers like Duke Su.
Those old guys have always been worried about him killing the descendants of the previous emperor after he ascended the throne. They probably scolded him privately for being cruel and heartless.
As for those ministers who gave advice and were loyal to the emperor, Emperor Wenxuan could also understand them. After all, they were the ones who earned the emperor's salary and had to bear the emperor's worries.
King Jing is young, and he is a prince who receives a generous salary from the court. It is indeed time for him to come out and make some contributions to the country.
However, the two trusted ministers also came out to speak for Sima Jing. Emperor Wenxuan did not show it on his face, but he felt unhappy as if needles were stabbing in his heart.
After the court was dismissed, the two men were left alone for questioning.
The two men were calm and composed, their arguments clear and logical: "Now, the people are praising Prince Jing's wife, and many are rushing to Prince Jing's mansion to kowtow and pay homage. They have changed their previous attitude of avoiding him like the plague and scorpions, and now regard Prince Jing's mansion as a sacred place. Duke Su has proposed that Prince Jing be appointed an official to the court and be entrusted with important positions. If Your Majesty refuses now, people will inevitably think that Your Majesty is overly presumptuous and jealous of talented people."
The late emperor had few descendants, and there were rumors about this both inside and outside the court.
Even though those brothers were indeed eliminated one by one by Emperor Wenxuan and Queen Dowager Zhao, most monarchs still wanted to leave fewer stains and more reputations for their virtues in history books.
Emperor Wenxuan was no exception.
Now that his kingdom is stable and he has no worries about his heirs, he has eliminated all his half-brothers who might seize his throne. His only biological brother, Sima Jing, has been in depression for many years and is now powerless and a useless person. He doesn't think he can cause any trouble under his nose.
What he has to do now is to protect this country well, be a wise ruler, and leave a good reputation for generations to come.
It is not impossible to give Sima Jing an official position.
After all, he is his brother.
"Since Ah Jing doesn't want to dine with me, I won't force you."
Emperor Wenxuan lowered his gaze and calmly recounted the ministers' suggestions at today's court meeting. Finally, he said, "I will have the Empress issue an imperial decree later to commend Princess Jing for her benevolent act. As for you..."
Emperor Wenxuan narrowed his eyes. "In the past, you were depressed and kept to yourself. I understand your past and will not force you to enter the government. But Uncle Su is right. You are talented and young, and you should not be so complacent and waste your time. Now I am willing to offer you a position and ask you to contribute to the Sima family's rule. Are you willing?"
After all the twists and turns, it turned out to be just this matter.
Sima Jing did not answer, but looked quietly at the man on the throne.
It is said that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Although he disliked Sima Ji, he had to guess his thoughts at this time.
bother.
So fed up.
The fingers hanging by the side of his legs accidentally touched the colorful longevity thread hanging around his waist. The thin silk thread passed through his fingertips, but seemed to entangle his heart.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "Your Majesty is so kind, this humble official..."
Suddenly, a loud announcement was heard outside the palace: "The Queen Mother has arrived——"
Suddenly, the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Emperor Wenxuan's expression suddenly darkened.
Sima Jing frowned.
Queen Mother Zhao, wearing a sandalwood robe with pine and crane patterns, walked slowly inside with the help of a senior palace maid.
Emperor Wenxuan and Sima Jing bowed together: "Greetings, Mother."
Queen Mother Zhao glanced between the two brothers and only felt relieved when she saw that they were both fine: "Get up, everyone."
The two men stood up, and Queen Mother Zhao and Emperor Wenxuan said with a smile, "I heard that the Emperor had summoned Prince Jing to the palace, and since it was dinner time, I hurried here to dine with you. Your Majesty, please don't blame me for interrupting your conversation."
Emperor Wenxuan: "Mother, your words are truly humiliating to your son."
Queen Mother Zhao smiled and looked at the senior palace maid beside her: "Go, have the imperial kitchen deliver the meal."
The maidservant left quickly. Queen Mother Zhao glanced at her youngest son, who was dressed in a jade-green robe. After not seeing him for half a month, the gloomy air around him had faded a lot. Perhaps, with the beauty in his arms enjoying the nights of revelry and the greatest happiness in the world, his hostility had faded a bit and he had become more lively.
This is a good thing.
Queen Mother Zhao curled her lips in a good mood and extended her hand to Emperor Wenxuan: "Let's go and sit in the warm room."
Emperor Wenxuan was slightly surprised when he saw the hand offered by the Empress Dowager. He quickly stepped forward to support her and said, "This way, Mother."
The two of them went to the warm room together. Sima Jing stood behind them, looking at the gorgeous and luxurious figures of mother and son, and suddenly thought of the day when he returned to the court from Rongdi.
He stood at the foot of the hall, looking at his mother and brother who were sitting on the thrones in brocade robes.
Strange, alienated, and out of place.
It was also at that moment that he felt that perhaps he should not come back.
That would be good for everyone.
"Ah Jing, what are you still standing there for? Sit down quickly."
At the round table in the warm room, Queen Mother Zhao greeted Sima Jing, her phoenix eyes full of affection. "Your brother said Ranran caught a cold and was unable to enter the palace. Is it serious? I will send an imperial physician to check it out later."
Sima Jing walked to the table, lifted his robe and sat down: "No need, just a little cold."
She should be awake by now?
He was wrong last night, having tortured her so badly. She was sure to use those same words to scold him again when she woke up.
Thinking of the little princess at home, and seeing the loving greetings between Queen Dowager Zhao and Emperor Wenxuan, Sima Jing inexplicably became more patient.
After the pleasantries, we finally got down to business.
Emperor Wenxuan once again asked Sima Jing about his willingness to serve as an official in the court, and Queen Dowager Zhao looked at him expectantly.
Sima Jing pondered for a moment, then stood up and bowed: "I obey your command."
Emperor Wenxuan was startled for a moment, and then a smile appeared on his handsome face: "Very good, with A Jing's help, I will be even more powerful."
Queen Mother Zhao was also surprised and delighted, and felt that this year was indeed a good year.
The youngest son, who she was most concerned about, not only consummated his marriage with the princess, but was now willing to serve as an official in the court.
Getting married and starting a career is truly a double blessing, with good things happening one after another!
She was overjoyed and was about to give him some encouragement, but she caught a glimpse of her eldest son's smile which didn't even reach his eyes. She changed her mind and also slightly restrained her smile.
He only said gently: "This is your first time in the court, and you don't understand many things yet. It's not advisable to be greedy and try to learn more. You still need to gain some experience."
Then she turned to Emperor Wenxuan and said, "Your Majesty, please do not entrust Ajing with important tasks right from the start just because he is your brother. He is biting off more than he can chew. If this delays the well-being of the country and the people, it will only backfire."
How could Emperor Wenxuan not hear the careful balance in his mother's words? His tongue felt dry, but he maintained a smile and looked at Sima Jing: "Ah Jing, is there any government office you'd like to go to?"
Sima Jing lowered his eyes and said, "Brother is the king, and I am the minister. My actions are entirely subject to my brother's orders."
Emperor Wenxuan could not hide his surprise when he heard this.
I never heard him call me "Royal Brother" all year round, but he did it now.
Just then, the sound of eunuchs delivering food could be heard from outside the palace. Emperor Wenxuan picked up his teacup and pretended to take a sip. Only then did he calm down the excitement in his heart and said slowly, "Okay, let me think about it."
Although the atmosphere of the first lunch of the new year was a little more relaxed than before, everyone still had their own ulterior motives and could barely be described as calm and polite.
After lunch, Sima Jing took his leave.
Queen Mother Zhao winked at the senior palace maid beside her, and stayed in the Purple Palace to talk alone with Emperor Wenxuan.
"It's been seven years, and it's rare that Jing has shown some signs of life, willing to move on from the past and start a new life. This is an excellent start, and it's also an opportunity for us to reconcile with him."
Queen Mother Zhao gently stroked the warm teacup with her fingertips. "After all, you are brothers from the same mother. This blood bond is inherently different from others. Moreover, when it comes down to it, we were the ones who wronged him and owed him so much."
She lowered her eyes to look at the tea leaves floating in the cup, her voice filled with unconcealable pain: "Over the years, whenever I think of the scene of you and him falling into the river together, my heart feels like it's being twisted by a knife, the pain is so severe that I can hardly breathe..."
When mentioning the incident of falling into the river, a gloomy look flashed across Emperor Wenxuan's lowered eyes.
He said, "Don't worry, mother. I will take good care of brother Jing."
Queen Mother Zhao twitched her red lips lightly, and looked at her eldest son with her beautiful eyes full of kindness: "I know that you have been the most sensible and filial since you were young, and you have made me worry the least."
Emperor Wenxuan remained silent.
He could no longer tell whether it was true or false.
But even if it is a lie to coax him, it can still touch his heart.
After all, this is his biological mother.
At the critical moment of life and death, he chose his mother.
His mother, with her iron-blooded tactics, helped him ascend the throne during the palace coup and political struggle.
She is also the mother from whom he has always wanted to gain affirmation.
Queen Mother Zhao sat in the Zichen Palace for half a cup of tea, and had a heart-to-heart talk with Emperor Wenxuan before returning to Shoukang Palace.
In Shoukang Palace, Sima Jing, who was caught up and detained by the head maid, was staring at the vase of plum blossoms in the corner of the palace in a trance.
Hearing the footsteps outside the hall, he glanced sideways.
Queen Mother Zhao raised her hand to signal him not to bow, and dismissed the palace maids in the hall, leaving him alone to talk.
"There's no one else here."
Queen Mother Zhao looked at her handsome and beautiful young son sitting across from her and became increasingly satisfied. "If you have a government office in mind, please let me know. I will do my best to find it for you."
Sima Jing glanced at the corners of her eyes which were still red, and guessed that she had just cried in front of Sima Ji.
Probably speaking well of him.
This is what the heavenly family is like. The mother is not a mother, the son is not a son, the brother is not a brother, and the younger brother is not a younger brother. It is sad and ridiculous.
After a long silence, he said, "Since the Queen Mother has asked, I won't hide it from you."
"I'm interested in the position of Grand Protector of the Western Regions Protectorate."
Queen Mother Zhao choked immediately.
A look of surprise flashed across her beautiful, well-maintained face. "This Western Regions Protectorate is thousands of miles away, on a bitterly cold border, exposed to the wind and sun, and surrounded by a vast desert. Why would you want to go so far?"
"You can ignore the hatred of being held hostage for ten years, but I can't."
Sima Jing raised his dark eyes, as quiet as an ancient well. "Since I have decided to live again, I must kill my enemies and avenge my past shame."
Queen Mother Zhao was suddenly shocked when she saw the viper-like sharpness and coldness, as well as the burning ambition and hatred in those beautiful eyes that were so similar to her own.
It was also at this moment that she realized that the descendants of the Sima family might have cruel blood in their bones.
"The Emperor and I have never forgotten the suffering you endured in the Rongdi tribe. I even dream of completely eradicating those hateful Rongdi people, but the current political situation and the national treasury's financial resources do not allow it."
Dowager Zhao straightened her expression and spoke in a solemn tone, "Back then, your father, the Emperor, was greedy for pleasure and trusted the traitor Zhou Haotian, leading to the destruction of the country and the suffering of the people. Later, it was your brother who ascended the throne, and I, behind the scenes, governed the country, working day and night to maintain domestic stability and resist external adversities. Only then was I able to stabilize the court and bring about the peace and stability we have today."
"The great war against the Rongdi seven years ago was a victory achieved with the utmost effort of the entire nation. Now that our dynasty and the Rongdi have formed a century-long alliance, the people can rest and recuperate. This is the best outcome..."
After a pause, she continued, "I know you've suffered immensely in Rongdi, and how could I not resent their humiliation? However, the peace we enjoy now is hard-won. For the greater good, your brother and I will not engage in further war."
"I know everything the Queen Mother said."
Sima Jing said, "I have no intention of raising an army as soon as I take office. It's just that the Rongdi people are ambitious and shameless. The so-called Hundred Years' Alliance is just a piece of waste paper. It will only last for five years... no, three years at most."
He twitched his lips slightly, thinking of the tangled grudges in the Rongdi royal court, and sneered, "The sons of the Rongdi Khan have all grown up. Those jackals have no intention of living in harmony with their neighbors."
After ten years in Rongdi, he knew too well the cruelty and greed of the Rongdi people.
The peace in recent years was only because Rongdi had suffered heavy losses in the great war seven years ago and could no longer sustain the war. They had to pretend to surrender and make peace, but in fact they were secretly accumulating strength, waiting for the next round of plundering the Central Plains.
Sima Jing said, "There will inevitably be another war between the Jin and the Rong and Di peoples. Whether it's three or five years from now, I just want to personally go there and chop off their heads."
Queen Mother Zhao was not an ignorant and foolish woman in the deep palace, so she naturally knew that a hundred-year alliance was not realistic.
But the youngest son wanted to go to the battlefield himself, and he wanted to go to the Western Regions Protectorate...
As for the former, she was reluctant to let him take the risk.
As for the latter, there were 50,000 regular troops stationed in the Protectorate of the Western Regions. If the surrounding large and small vassal states and controlled tribes of the Western Regions were included, there were also 100,000 troops.
How could the emperor agree to hand over 100,000 troops to him?
"Ah Jing, it's a good thing that you have great ambitions, but you've finally returned home. How can your mother bear to send you back to live a hard life thousands of miles away?"
Queen Mother Zhao softened her tone and looked at him earnestly: "Since you've just entered the officialdom, you should take it slow. What do you think?"
Sima Jing knew it was impossible as early as when he mentioned "Protectorate of the Western Regions".
Hearing Queen Mother Zhao's words, he didn't feel disappointed at all. He just said, "Then I'll take a position where I can hold real power and do real work."
Queen Mother Zhao quickly agreed: "Okay, I will definitely make arrangements for you."
When I came out of the palace, it was already sunset.
Sima Jing felt extremely tired even though he had only been in the palace for two hours.
Just as he was sitting by the window, resting his head, the carriage suddenly stopped.
His brows knitted together, but he heard Chang Chun's voice, unable to conceal his surprise, coming from outside the carriage: "Your Highness, this is the carriage from our mansion."
Sima Jing was stunned, and his tired eyes slowly opened.
Two long jade-like fingers lifted a corner of the dark blue curtain, and sure enough, a carriage with red wheels and a canopy was seen parked on the street not far from the palace gate.
At that time, the door curtain was lifted, and a familiar goose yellow figure was walking towards this side, supported by a maid, stepping on a stool and holding her skirt.
The bright and vivid goose yellow color, like a newly blooming jasmine flower, instantly makes the entire dull and dreary sky lively and fresh.
Sima Jing's heart seemed to be firmly grasped by that bright spring feeling.
It wasn't until the young lady glanced in his direction that he began to breath a little and for some unknown reason lowered the curtain.
I regretted it as soon as I let it go.
He saw it, and he wasn't some 15 or 16-year-old boy who was just beginning to fall in love. Why should he be so nervous?
His slender fingertips unconsciously hooked up a tassel of long life. He sat upright and looked at the dark blue door curtain hanging quietly in front of him.
Soon, a clear voice was heard from outside the car door, followed by the sound of footsteps getting into the car.
When the curtain was lifted by a slender, white hand, the dimly lit carriage seemed to be flooded with warm sunlight.
"Sima Jiu, you bad guy!"
A crisp, sullen voice rang out, and the young lady, pretending to be vicious, walked towards him with a stern look on her face: "You clearly saw me, and you still put up the curtain? What do you mean by that - ah!"
The horse sneezed, and the carriage shook.
The young lady's slender body was like a falling willow branch, and she fell straight into the man's arms, bumping into him.
"hateful……"
Yun Ran rubbed her nose, which was almost crooked by the collision, and raised her head from the man's solid chest with tears in her eyes, cursing: "Why are your breasts so hard! It hurts me to death."
Sima Jing had not expected the situation just now, but the feeling of the young lady taking the initiative to throw herself into his arms was quite nice.
He silently endured her condemnation, then put his arm around her waist and picked her up, while raising his hand to rub her nose: "Yes, it's all because of this broken chest, it hurt the princess."
He grabbed her hand and started hammering it: "Hit it to vent your anger."
Yun Ran felt a little embarrassed when he saw that he was coaxing a three-year-old child. He quickly withdrew his hand and muttered, "It would hurt my hand if I hit you, so I won't hit you."
As she said this, she pushed away his hand that was rubbing her nose and struggled to get up from his arms.
She had clearly made up her mind that if she saw him come out safely, she would have to settle the score from last night.
I didn't expect that the momentum that I had built up would be destroyed in an instant!
It's so embarrassing!
But for Sima Jing, how could he let the little princess run away so easily after she threw herself into his arms?
He stretched out his long arms, holding her firmly in his arms, and looked down at her: "Why are you here?"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Sima Jiu (secretly happy): My wife is here to pick me up.
It's Friday, and this chapter will drop a small red envelope~ Have a happy weekend everyone~ [Dog head holding a rose]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
