89 Lunar New Year's Eve
◎A deep-seated obsession, imbued with the aura of crimson blood◎
"Something terrible has happened!" Huang Bing's treacherous voice came with hurried footsteps. He ran into the Yuhua Palace, knelt down, and said, "The Marquis of Quzhou and the Marquis of Guangshun are fighting in His Majesty's Xuanzheng Hall!"
Qi Gu stood up. "What!"
Huang Bing hurriedly said, "Your Highness, listen, I heard that Marquis Guangshun has taken a mistress outside and they have two children! Marquis Quzhou is so angry that he has gone to Your Majesty to complain."
When Qi Gu arrived at Xuanzheng Hall, she ran into Sima Hong. She was suspicious, wondering if this was not his doing.
Sima Hong only saw Qi Gu's heaving chest and her cheeks reddened by the wind. He brushed the snowflakes off her head and said, "What's the rush? Are you worried about catching a cold from the wind?"
Qi Gu slapped his hand away and asked him, "What time is it? Why are you still talking about this?" After saying that, she ignored Sima Hong and went into the main hall.
Sima Hong withdrew Bie Qigu's hand that had been slapped away and had no choice but to follow her into the main hall.
As soon as Qi Gu entered the main hall, she saw her aunt kneeling on the ground, crying and pleading, "Your Majesty, you were the matchmaker for me and Yuan Kuai back then. Now Yuan Kuai has wronged me and Zhuang'er. You must do justice for me. I want to divorce Yuan Kuai!"
The Emperor was at his wit's end watching his sister-in-law throw a tantrum on the ground, completely exasperated. He then looked at Yuan Kuai kneeling on the ground and was too angry to speak: "A-Kuai, how could you... how could you do such a thing?"
"Your Majesty, it is all my fault, but I will not agree to a divorce!" Yuan Kuai knelt on the ground, his thick eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"Pah!" Marquis Qu Zhou spat in Yuan Kuai's face. "You don't want a divorce? Then you want to bring that mother and her three children into your mansion, making me lose face and be ridiculed by everyone. All those nice words you said back then, Yuan Kuai, were just farts, no, even more disgusting than farts!"
“Sister-in-law, Kuai is wrong, but it’s only natural. After all, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring,” said the Prince of Yi, speaking up for Yuan Kuai.
Zhang Zhi glared resentfully at Prince Yi, "Hmph! I, Zhang Zhi, am not such an ungrateful person. If Yuan Kuai had simply informed me, after more than ten years of marriage, would I not have understood his predicament? What is he doing sneaking around outside? This is a slap in my face! You, Yuan Kuai, are disgusting in your actions, and now you say that of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring? I ask you, did I ever say that I forbid you from taking concubines? Did I ever tell you that it's okay to carry on the family line, but you must find a reliable person, after all, they will inherit the title in the future and be a pillar of support for Zhuang'er! Yuan Kuai, what are you doing now!"
Yuan Kuai, a seven-foot-tall man, was so ashamed by his wife's words that he said, "It's all my fault."
"Of course it's all your fault! You're not just wrong, you deserve to die!"
"Sister-in-law, please calm down, please calm down." King Yi never expected this to happen.
In her rage, Zhang Zhi refused to listen to any advice. Before Yuan Kuai could speak, she jumped up, pointed at Prince Yi, and said, "Jiang Shi, stop pretending! Did you arrange that woman? Tell me what your intentions are. Are you happy to see us, husband and wife, fall apart?"
Yuan Kuai quickly pulled his furious wife aside and said, "Azhi, what does this have to do with the Prince of Yi? Don't drag others into this."
"Slap!" Marquis Qu Zhou slapped Marquis Guang Shun across the face with his backhand.
Chu Pei saw a handprint instantly appear on Yuan Kuai's face, and it looked painful. Luckily, it wasn't slapped on his own face.
Actually, he felt that it was already quite remarkable that Yuan Kuai had been able to endure for so long, but seeing his furious sister-in-law, he dared not speak his mind.
Oh dear, what a mess! My Xuanzheng Hall is like a marketplace, and I can't do anything about this sister-in-law's tantrums.
"Waaaaah~ Yuan Kuai, you have no heart! No heart! Back then, you were penniless, and I married you. For more than ten years, I followed you through thick and thin, even my child's health was affected. What have I done to wrong you? What have my Zhang family done to wrong you? And yet you treat me like this, treat me like this! You are heartless and cruel, you are worse than a pig or a dog!"
Hearing these words, Chu Pei felt, for some reason, as if he were being indirectly insulted. He felt extremely uncomfortable and could only look to the Empress for help.
The Empress had someone help her sister up. "That's enough. What's the big deal? It's not worth acting like this. You're all nobles. This is unbecoming."
"I've lost all face and dignity, what do I care about propriety now?" He then glared fiercely at Prince Yi, "Birds of a feather, Jiang Xinchen, you just wait! If I find out you've been encouraging Yuan Kuai to have mistresses outside, I'll make sure your household is never peaceful!"
The Queen looked at Prince Yi and said, "Xinchen, Azhi is confused. Don't take it to heart."
Prince Yi looked at the unfathomable Empress. Was today's events truly just a coincidence?
His expression remained unchanged, but in his heart he thought, "It seems even the Empress can't sit still anymore."
As Qi Gu entered the palace, the Empress said, "Qi Gu, help your aunt downstairs." Then she said to her younger sister, "Go downstairs and freshen up first. His Majesty and I will definitely give you an explanation, okay?"
Zhang Zhi then stopped, letting Qi Gu help her up. "For my elder sister's sake," he said, glaring at Yuan Kuai. "Yuan Kuai, I won't let you get away with this!"
Qi Gu helped her aunt, saying, "Father, let me help my aunt to wash up."
The Emperor was eager for his irresponsible sister-in-law to leave as soon as possible. "Very well, Yuan Chu, take your aunt away first."
Before leaving, Sima Hong nodded slightly to her. Although she didn't want to admit it, she knew that Sima Hong had said in the study that day that the position of crown prince would be fraught with difficulties, but it would eventually belong to her younger brother. She didn't believe him about other things, but she was certain that he would accomplish this.
Qi Gu thought her aunt was truly heartbroken this time, but before she had gone far from Xuanzheng Hall, she saw that her aunt's expression had changed from one of deep distress to one of unreadable anger.
She patted the hand that was supporting her, "Aunt Qi, let go of me, I'm fine."
Seeing her aunt's rapid change of expression, Aunt Qi asked, "Did you just now, Aunt?"
Qu Zhouhou took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. "Did I scare you just now?"
Aunt Qi breathed a sigh of relief, but she couldn't understand why her aunt was like this.
Marquis Qu Zhou sneered, "Yuan Kuai is too stupid. He is being used without realizing it. Now he thinks that having a son is enough. Even if you tell him the truth, he will still protect that mother and her two children."
Qi Gu saw that her aunt's eyes were resolute, "But I... will not let myself and Yuan Kuai become the tools used by the Guo family and the Prince of Yi to deal with my elder sister."
As expected, I had been too naive. My aunt was one of only two female marquises in the Great Jin Dynasty, and she was very adept at navigating social situations in the capital. How could she make baseless accusations?
Aunt Qi asked, "Does the Guo family want to use Uncle to win him over?"
"Even you noticed, while Yuan Kuai is still as stupid as can be," the aunt said disdainfully, as if the person she was talking about wasn't her husband at all.
"So today's events were also planned?" Aunt Qi asked.
Marquis Qu shook her head. Today's events were merely her own doing. She explained to Qi Gu, "The reason your father hesitated to make someone the crown prince was because he was wary of your uncle. Now that your mother and your uncle are unable to intervene, if I don't make a scene, would I let the Guo family succeed?"
Qi Gu understood. Because the Crown Prince was involved, her mother and uncle, who were directly related, could not get involved, otherwise they would arouse the Emperor's suspicion. Her aunt made a fuss about her uncle's matter today, probably to cool down the struggle for the Crown Prince.
Marquis Quzhou said to Qi Gu, "I have to go to your uncle's house. Qi Gu, you must be careful in the palace these days, understand?"
Qi Gu nodded, then glanced back at the majestic Xuanzheng Hall, where a biting wind blew and clouds surged.
Remembering what Sima Hong had said to her in the study last time, "Qi Gu, on the day Chen Zhan kidnapped you, there was a group of people with you. Do you know whose people they are?"
Qi Gu thought of how she and Sima Hong had fallen off the cliff, all thanks to that man in black. "You mean, was he someone from the Prince of Yi or the Guo family?"
"It's the Prince of Yi; he wants the iron ore in Chen Zhan's possession."
"How could he know that Chen Zhan had iron ore?" Qi Gu was horrified. She hadn't expected that the Prince of Yi had already been preparing for a rebellion. The situation in the previous life must have been even more dangerous.
“Prince Yi was once a minor general under Prince Yan, but he was not given important responsibilities. Later, he gained the appreciation of His Majesty and achieved his current success. It is not surprising that he knows some of Prince Yan’s past stories.”
It turned out that Prince Yi had been plotting something for a long time. Qi Gu gripped Sima Hong's wrist tightly, "Are you really sure?"
He gently kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, I'm prepared."
How could Qi Gu not worry? In her previous life, she was oblivious to everything. Now that she has seen many things clearly, she realizes that every step she took in these places she had never noticed was so dangerous.
She didn't even notice Sima Hong's kiss, only focusing on asking, "How long will it take to determine the position of Crown Prince?"
Sima Hong held Qi Gu in his arms, "It will be soon."
Qi Gu thought that she still chose to believe Sima Hong, not because she trusted him so much, but because she believed that Sima Hong knew that the Empress Dowager was the most reliable ally of their Sima family, and there was no doubt about that!
The struggle for the crown prince position, due to the emperor's hesitation and the affairs of Marquis Quzhou and Marquis Guangshun, was like a sword hanging over everyone's heads, which had not yet fallen.
But New Year's Eve has arrived. This year is the first New Year that Qi Gu has spent in the palace since returning, but it is the most tasteless New Year that Qi Gu has ever had.
The struggle for the crown prince is brewing, the matter between the aunt and uncle remains unresolved, and Guo Ji, who was previously confined to her quarters, pleads with the emperor for her mother's sake because the second prince wrote an article that was praised by the Grand Tutor.
The emperor was pleased and, under the guise of family reunion on New Year's Eve, lifted Guo Ji's confinement and stayed at her residence for several days in a row.
Although Consort Guo was a beauty, no one dared to underestimate her. After all, the position of Crown Prince was not yet determined, and no one knew whether the Second Prince would be the next emperor or whether Consort Guo would be the next Empress Dowager.
The second princess also appeared at the New Year's Eve palace banquet, and she seemed more composed than before.
She held up her cup and approached Qi Gu's table, respectfully apologizing, "Elder sister, I was wrong before, please forgive my foolishness."
With a casual remark, he dismissed her framing as utter nonsense.
Qi Gu did not raise her glass; at this point, there was no need to maintain the facade of calm.
She placed her palms on the table and said coldly, "I can forgive my sister once, twice, three times, but... sister, please don't make the same mistake four, five, or six times. Otherwise, while I can forgive you, the laws of the country and the family rules will not be able to spare you."
In the past, the Second Princess would never have tolerated Qi Gu saying such things to her. Now, however, the Second Princess simply laughed it off after hearing Qi Gu's words and said to Qi Gu, "Thank you for your teachings, Eldest Sister. I will remember them and will not make the same mistake again."
Qi Gu raised her eyebrows and gave a mysterious smile: "I hope so."
The second princess no longer dared to underestimate this village girl from the countryside. She was very wary of Qi Gu and became increasingly cautious.
After the second princess left, Qi Gu watched the people coming and going on the stage with great boredom. The Empress Dowager's expression remained as calm as the winter night, making it impossible to see what was in the darkness.
She noticed a hesitant gaze fixed on her, and when she turned around, she saw it was the Ninth Princess.
Presumably, Madam Zhao had already told her what the Second Princess had done. Qi Gu withdrew her gaze, showing no interest in the Ninth Princess's hesitant words.
Hopefully, the Ninth Princess can be a little smarter. They are not enemies, not in their past life, and not in this life. It would be good if the Ninth Princess could learn a little about saving face from Madam Zhao.
The palace banquet was filled with fine wines and delicacies, with continuous singing and dancing, and music. On the surface, it seemed very lively, but for some reason, Qi Gu felt very lonely in such a lively palace banquet.
She still preferred the New Year she spent with her father in Zhaili Village. Although it was just the two of them, the small house was warmed by the stove fire, and the three or four dishes and a couple of cups of coarse wine were better than the countless delicacies and bright candlelight in Changyang Palace. That was because there were no insincere words or unpredictable smiles from people there.
I wonder how my father spent the New Year. Sima Hong is going back to the main house for the New Year. I wonder if my father feels lonely like I do. Qi Gu's thoughts gradually drifted away from the palace.
At the Sima residence, the Sima family's New Year's Eve banquet proceeded in an orderly fashion. Sima Taigong's slightly cloudy eyes looked at his second son, third son, and their sons, before finally settling on his most beloved grandson.
The Sima family was able to preserve its strength during the war, and its current prosperity is the result of his planning, for which he is very gratified.
His only regret was to restore the Sima family's former glory. He looked at the grandson he had personally raised. His other sons and grandsons were mediocre, but this child left by his eldest son who died young was exceptionally intelligent. He saw the future of the Sima family in him.
"Father/Grandfather, wishing you a peaceful and happy Lunar New Year's Eve." The son and grandson stood up in unison to offer their blessings.
Sima Taigong raised the cup in his hand and said, "Hmm, sit down."
Compared to the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace, the Sima family's New Year's Eve banquet was very quiet. Inside the hall, there was the occasional sound of chopsticks tapping on porcelain, and occasionally the sound of wind whistling from outside the dark door.
The meal was quiet and silent, dull and tasteless.
As the meeting drew to a close, Sima Taigong said, "Xiuyuan, come to my study later."
In Sima Taigong's study, he stood with his hands behind his back and asked, "What are your views on the struggle for the throne?"
Sima Hongdao said, "The position of Crown Prince belongs to none other than the eldest prince."
Sima Taigong turned around and said sternly, "Kneel down!"
Sima Hong knelt down, his figure as straight as a green bamboo.
"Do you know you're wrong!"
"My grandson doesn't know what wrong he has done."
Sima Taigong said with great distress, "The reason why our Sima family has been able to stand firm is because we never stand under a crumbling wall. No matter who becomes the crown prince, they will value our Sima family. Why did you have to wade into this murky water!"
He truly didn't understand why his usually steady grandson had become so radical. It seemed that ever since he returned from inspecting the disaster situation in the south on behalf of His Majesty, his grandson had become increasingly unfathomable, or rather, his grandson was slipping out of his sight.
Now, Sima Taigong can no longer see through his grandson's thoughts, and he doesn't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
When he discovered that his grandson had somehow become a member of the Crown Prince's faction, he had a feeling that his grandson was going against the path he had planned for the Sima family.
Sima Hong was prepared for his grandfather's question. He calmly replied, "The Sima family, which did not stand under a crumbling wall, had already fallen into ruin and gone into seclusion in the previous dynasty."
His eyes were as dark and still as the night outside, but his words startled Sima Taigong and made him surge with anger.
Sima Taigong pointed at his grandson with his wrinkled hands, "You, do you still remember the Sima family's ancestral precepts! Look at yourself, you're now carrying an evil aura. Today I'm going to set things right and make you wake up, otherwise you'll drag the Sima family into the abyss if you continue to act recklessly!"
Sima Taigong shouted to the door, "Guards, bring the family law!"
The purple vines gleamed with a cold, eerie light, "Snap! Snap! Snap..."
Whip after whip struck the protruding, wing-like rebellious bone, but the slender, upright bamboo did not bend even slightly, standing proudly and resolutely, its obsession ingrained, carrying the aura of scarlet blood.
[Author's Note]
After the New Year, spring is just around the corner, and spring has an important storyline [sunglasses].
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