Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Once he...
Once he shows the intention of leaving, she will become uneasy and anxious, and she will urgently and urgently need his comfort.
He suppressed his physiological trembling, smoothed her hair over and over again, and asked, "Youan, do you want to go?"
Chen Qing pulled her head out of his grasp and stared at him. "No," she said. "We agreed that we would never separate, so we can never separate." She valued her life very much and wanted to prevent any unexpected events in time.
Li Daoxuan put down the nanmu comb, leaned over to her abdomen, and tightly embraced her waist with his big hands. He said excitedly, "Then don't go. We will never be separated. No one can disturb us."
The girl was very satisfied and, for the first time ever, was willing to allow him some closeness, letting him press against her soft belly.
Li Daoxuan repeatedly told himself: Don't be impulsive, don't be impulsive. You'an didn't like it. He tried his best to suppress the primal impulse, like a large beast guarding its prey, reaching out to hold its prey close.
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In front of the Liangyi Palace, Crown Prince Li Zhibai was summoned, but when he reached the palace gate, he was stopped by the eunuchs.
He shouted in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. His Majesty is in a confidential discussion with the officials on important matters. He has instructed that no one should interrupt. Please wait a moment, Your Highness."
Li Zhibai didn't show any impatience upon hearing this. He maintained a gentle and humble smile. He nodded slightly and said, "Since that's the case, I'll wait here. Please, eunuch, pass on the message."
After saying this, he stepped back a few steps and stood under a large vermilion pillar beside the palace gate. He lifted his robe and knelt facing the palace gate, his posture straight, his eyes casually sweeping across the tightly closed carved wooden door inside the palace.
It was the beginning of autumn, and the rain was relentless. He had been summoned in such haste that he hadn't even put on a thick coat or cloak before hastening to arrive. The rain was now pouring down, accompanied by gusts of bone-chilling cold wind that swept through the hall. In a moment, the remaining warmth in Li Zhibai's body was also blown away by the wind.
A chill creeps up his spine, inch by inch, but he's oblivious, his attention drawn to a sudden smell. From under the porch, the scent of fresh earth and rain fills the air. He looks over and sees a group of palace servants brave the rain to transplant a plum tree.
It was originally a plum tree planted in front of the Jingren Emperor's bedroom. It is said that Concubine Gao and the Jingren Emperor planted it together when they were deeply in love.
Later, when Concubine Gao passed away, this tree became one of her relics. Emperor Jingren often thought of her by looking at the plum tree, and when his feelings were so deep, he would even cry bitterly under the plum tree.
In the past, Emperor Jingren often stayed in his bedroom, but with the recent autumn rains, hidden dangers such as the flooding of the Wei River have gradually become apparent. Urgent reports and people's livelihood issues have come in from all over the country, and documents have piled up like mountains. Government affairs have become increasingly busy, so Emperor Jingren simply moved directly into the Liangyi Palace.
Perhaps because he couldn't let it go, Emperor Jingren sent people to move the plum tree outside the Liangyi Hall. Now one can see the plum tree through the window just by looking up.
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps and conversations were heard in the hall. Li Zhibai regained consciousness and immediately straightened his body, bowing his hands in a salute.
The eunuch hurried forward, gently pushed open the palace door, stood aside, and saluted loudly: "Gentlemen, take care—"
Several ministers were led out of the side hall by eunuchs. A few familiar faces could be vaguely seen, including the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple Shi Qinglan, the Chief Censor Gu Ze, the Deputy Envoy of the Xuanji Pavilion Liu Jiuyue, the Jingzhao Yin, as well as the Censor Feng, the Shangshu Ling and other senior ministers.
Li Zhibai didn't look any further and lowered his gaze.
The eunuch's voice rang out again: "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to an audience."
Li Zhibai stood up, straightened his robe, and walked steadily into the hall.
On the imperial desk, the rumored "ill" Emperor Jingren was seen slowly flipping through memorials. He seemed to have encountered something upsetting, and his brows were furrowed.
Although it was not as serious as the rumors said, Emperor Jingren's cheeks were thin, his lips were pale, and his eyes were dark blue, making him look sick.
Li Zhibai lifted his robe and knelt, saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father."
Emperor Jingren said, "Get up."
Hearing this, Li Zhibai slowly stood up.
Perhaps because he had been frozen in the cold wind for too long, his feet were slightly stiff.
Emperor Jingren asked without even looking up, "Did the palace maids give you more clothes?"
Li Zhibai said, "I left in a hurry and forgot it was raining outside."
Emperor Jingren said, "You are always considerate of them."
He said no more and asked someone to add more charcoal fire, making the hall warm and noisy. After a while, Li Zhibai's cold limbs gradually warmed up.
Emperor Jingren: "Don't just stand there. Come here and talk to me for a while."
Li Zhibai walked to the side of Emperor Jingren, and the warmth became stronger, dispelling the remaining coolness around him. At this moment, Emperor Jingren openly reviewed important secrets in front of him, and he consciously lowered his eyes.
There was a moment of silence, and then Emperor Jingren took a moment out of his busy schedule to speak: "Huazhou has recently suffered from flooding. The Wei River has flooded many areas. What are your thoughts on this matter? How should it be handled?"
Li Zhibai said, "The Wei River is flooding, and the people's homes are the first to be affected. In my humble opinion, the most urgent task is to provide relief and assistance. You can order the nearby prefectures and counties to open their granaries and distribute grain and silk to alleviate the urgent needs of the affected people. At the same time, mobilize the garrison troops and civilians to quickly go to Huazhou to relocate the people."
Emperor Jingren: "Well, how should the subsequent matters be arranged?"
Li Zhibai: "When the flood subsides, organize water officials and canal craftsmen to repair and reinforce damaged dikes and ditches, dredge the river channels, remove silt, and ensure smooth transport of grain and floodwaters. If necessary, build additional dikes and sluice gates in dangerous areas to prevent flooding."
Li Zhibai's answer was impeccable, but not particularly outstanding either. It was all based on the rhetoric from "Strategies for the State" taught by the Grand Tutor.
Emperor Jingren paused, looking up at him and saying, "Since that's the case, how about giving you full authority over this disaster relief matter?"
Li Zhibai's back instantly broke out in a thin layer of sweat. After pretending to think for a moment, he respectfully clasped his fists and saluted, saying in a deep voice, "Father, I understand that disaster relief is of great significance to the nation and the people. However, while I am passionate, I am still inexperienced. If I were to take on this important task rashly, I fear I might make mistakes and disappoint the expectations of you and the people."
Emperor Jingren said, "It's just a flood, not a major disaster. Coincidentally, Weinan County recently seized a batch of smuggling merchant ships, and they had quite a few valuables on board, which has helped fill the treasury a bit. This money is perfect for disaster relief. You're not young anymore, after all."
At this point, he coughed violently, and Li Zhibai immediately poured him tea. After the coughing fit subsided, Emperor Jingren took a sip of tea and looked at him meaningfully through the white mist above the teacup. "A greenhouse can't grow towering trees. Although the East Palace is peaceful, it is also tiring. You have always had great ambitions, and I also hope that you can show your talents in these important matters of people's livelihood, put what you have learned into practice, and in the future, you will be able to shoulder the responsibility of this country."
After his last words, the crown prince suddenly knelt and said, "Your Majesty, I am terrified!" He calmed himself, tapped his forehead lightly on the ground, and spoke in a voice that was somewhat earnest. "Your Majesty, your father is in his prime, which is a blessing for our great Li. Your Majesty, I have never had the slightest thought of usurping power. I only hope to learn more about statecraft by your side and share more of your worries. This time, I will do my best to provide disaster relief and live up to your trust!"
The continuous tests made his mind tense, for fear that he might say something wrong by accident.
Emperor Jingren seemed satisfied. He helped his son up and said with a kind look, "My dear child, please don't be separated from me. After all, you are my child."
At this moment, the father and son exchanged a few pleasantries, and Emperor Jingren finally got to the point.
"You insist on marrying the lady of the Zhang family as your principal wife. I've given you three months to consider it. Do you regret it?"
Li Zhibai raised his eyes, his eyes determined, "I want to marry Madam Zhang as my principal wife, and I have no regrets."
Seeing that he was still so persistent, Emperor Jingren sighed and said, "Forget it, go with you."
Although the Zhang family was of high status, they were still inferior to other nobles in the capital in terms of being the Crown Prince's principal wife. This was why Emperor Jingren gave him three months to consider the matter. However, his son was determined to marry her as his principal wife, so he had no choice but to give up.
Emperor Jingren threw the edict he had prepared long ago to the eunuch, "I will not ask you youngsters any more questions. Go."
Li Zhibai rarely showed any joy. He knelt down and said, "Thank you, father, for your help!"
The eunuch sent the people away and hurriedly replied, "Everyone, Princess Wanyi and the Third Prince are here to see you."
Emperor Jingren said, "Oh? Wanyi is here, announce her."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Yu pulled Li Jinxiu into the palace. Her voice could be heard from afar: "Father! You were only concerned with looking for Jinxiu and the Crown Prince, and you didn't even see your daughter!"
Li Yu came hurriedly, holding up the hem of her skirt. Li Jinxiu stumbled slightly under her lead. After finally stabilizing himself, he immediately said, "Your Highness, your son greets you."
While they were paying their respects, Li Yu had already come to the imperial desk. "Your Majesty, you are still ill. You haven't eaten a single bite from dawn till now. You've been focusing entirely on this memorial!" She reached out and snatched the memorial from Emperor Jingren's hand. "Father, you are not allowed to read it anymore! I made your favorite soup. Eat it first!"
Such rebellious behavior was so common for Li Yu that the eunuch had no other reaction except for his eyelids twitching. It was obvious that he had long been accustomed to it.
Emperor Jingren obviously liked his daughter very much and didn't mind. He happily put down his hands and watched Li Yu sweep away the documents on the imperial desk. He then placed a bowl of thick, warm soup on the table. "The temperature is just right. Drink it while it's hot, father."
He picked up the bowl, took a sip with the spoon, and sighed with satisfaction.
Li Yu immediately went over to rub his shoulders.
Finally returning to the main topic after some free time, Emperor Jingren glanced at the Third Prince standing not far away and asked, "Do you know why I called you?"
Li Jinxiu knelt down and saluted with his head lowered.
Emperor Jingren said, "It seems you know what's going on. A maidservant in your palace broke a glass cup belonging to your mother, and yet you contradicted her for her sake."
Li Jinxiu opened his mouth repeatedly, wanting to argue.
It was clearly the Queen Mother who took the initiative to make things difficult for her, but she was just a stupid little girl with a dull mind who only followed her own principles. When she was put in a difficult position, she could only stand there at a loss as to what to do.
If he didn't protect her, she would not survive.
However, before she could finish her words, Li Yu spoke up, "It's just some trivial household matters. I've already reprimanded that young lady on behalf of the Queen Mother. She's already admitted her fault. The Emperor is still ill, so why worry about such trivial matters?"
Li Jinxiu glanced at Li Yu, who glared at him with a bad look, signaling him to shut up.
Li Jinxiu finally lowered his eyes and said submissively, "It is my son's fault. I know I was wrong and will definitely discipline her when I return."
Knowing that he was dissatisfied, Emperor Jingren smiled with an ambiguous meaning and said, "You are not young anymore. It is not a good idea to always keep a maidservant in the palace. Have you taken a fancy to a lady recently? Why not tell me and I will issue an imperial decree to grant you a marriage?"
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