Chapter 74 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
Zhang Xiaojia went to the emperor's private treasury and collected the calligraphy and paintings by Wang Xizhi, Su Shi, and Zhao Mengfu that she had chosen. Eunuch De turned pale and was extremely anxious, especially when he saw that the emperor's favorite copybook of Wang Xizhi had been taken away by the Princess of Lin'an. He could not help but step forward to dissuade them.
Eunuch De said cautiously, "Princess Lin'an, the Emperor loves Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and can't let it go. He normally won't even let anyone touch it..."
Zhang Xiaojia glared at him, with a hint of pride in her tone: "Xiao Dezi, it's okay on normal days, but today my brother personally promised to let me choose, so don't stop me."
Eunuch De groaned bitterly, thinking to himself: When did the Emperor ever promise to give you Wang Xizhi's calligraphy? But he didn't dare to say it out loud, so he could only stand aside with a bitter face.
Zhang Xiaojia held the calligraphy and said with a smile, "My brother taught me calligraphy since I was a child. How could I not like the calligraphy he likes? I've been looking forward to this Wang Xizhi calligraphy for a long time. I must build a sunroom for it when I get home so I can enjoy it."
Eunuch De sighed helplessly and compromised: "Princess Lin'an, since you like it so much, then I won't say much. But if the emperor asks, you must say a few good words for me."
Zhang Xiaojia patted Eunuch De's shoulder and smiled slyly: "Don't worry, little Dezi, if my brother asks, I will say that you suggested I take it. How about that, isn't that nice?"
Eunuch De smiled bitterly, thinking to himself: This Lin'an County Master really knows how to find someone to take the blame. However, he also knew that Zhang Xiaojia was just joking and would not really put the blame on himself.
"Princess Lin'an, you'd better leave quickly, otherwise when the emperor comes back later, he will be distressed to see that you have taken so many calligraphy and paintings." Eunuch De urged.
Zhang Xiaojia laughed heartily and strode out, holding the calligraphy and painting: "I'm going to go find the emperor and ask him to make a glass cover for me!"
Arriving at Concubine Chen's palace, Zhang Xiaojia ran over excitedly: "Mother, I took some calligraphy and paintings by Wang Xizhi, Su Shi, and Zhao Mengfu from my brother's private vault! I want to make a sunshade for them. Can you help me make a few glass covers?"
Concubine Chen pinched her face gently, her tone doting: "You child, you know that Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is your brother's favorite, and you still dare to take it?"
Zhang Xiaojia hugged Concubine Chen's hand and said coquettishly, "My brother has been praising Wang Xizhi's calligraphy since he was a child. I like it too! Besides, I'll take it to admire for a while and return it to him in half a year. Mother, please help me make a few glass covers!"
Concubine Chen smiled and shook her head: "Okay, okay, mother promises you. But we have to agree that you must return it to your brother in six months. You can't cheat."
Zhang Xiaojia nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, mother, I keep my word!"
Then, Zhang Xiaojia said mysteriously: "Mother, let me tell you, tomorrow He Fei and I are going to Jiangnan to play for a month, and we will collect the money by the way."
Concubine Chen asked curiously, "What are you charging?"
Zhang Xiaojia lowered his voice and said proudly, "The casino has set up a gambling game, betting on whether the son of the Rongchang County Prince can marry Song Fanyu. The Rongchang County Prince's uncle and I made a bet together, betting that his son would not be able to marry her. We bet one million taels in Jingdou, and it increased fivefold! He Fei also bet three million taels in Jiangnan, and it increased sixfold, making a profit of 18 million taels in one go! We will go and get the money back tomorrow."
Concubine Chen was stunned and couldn't help asking, "How dare you place such a big bet?"
Zhang Xiaojia said with a smile: "Mother, you don't know, I dreamed that the emperor gave me silver, but the prince turned around and used it to fight in the war. In the end, there was not a penny left in the private treasury of the emperor, the prince, and me. Now, with this silver, we should have no shortage of money for the war."
Concubine Chen gently warned, "Jia Jia, the three of you must support and take care of each other at all times. You must be well, understand?"
Zhang Xiaojia nodded obediently: "Mother, don't worry! The three of us will definitely be fine. No matter what difficulties we encounter, He Fei and I will follow brother closely and support him with all our strength."
Concubine Chen patted her head gently and said, "Okay, go back. You have to go to Jiangnan tomorrow, so pack up."
Zhang Xiaojia stood up with a smile: "Mother, I'm going back first. When I come back from Jiangnan, I will bring you some beautiful jewelry and tell you about the interesting things in Jiangnan."
After Zhang Xiaojia left, the emperor came out from behind the screen.
Concubine Chen did not ask why he did not see Jia'er, but said softly: "Your Majesty, please have a cup of tea with your mother."
The emperor slowly sat down, a trace of fatigue between his brows. "Mother, I clearly trust Jingwen and Jiaer the most, but ever since Jingwen led his troops into the palace, even after it was later discovered that he was not rebelling, my trust in him can no longer be as unconditional as before. I have no choice but to test his loyalty, but I always feel a sense of unease."
Concubine Chen looked at the emperor gently but firmly, and said softly, "Your Majesty is not to blame for this. Jingwen, this child, sometimes does things without consideration. He actually led troops into the palace. This action is really inappropriate. If the emperor wants to punish him for this, even if he kills him a hundred times, he will never complain.
However, Your Majesty, if you still want to trust Jingwen, then you might as well take your time and give each other some time. I firmly believe that my two sons cherish each other in their hearts. The deep brotherly love will surely resolve all misunderstandings. "
The emperor was silent for a moment, his eyes lowered, as if thinking about Concubine Chen's words.
After a long pause, he nodded gently, "Mother is right. I will consider it carefully."
Concubine Chen smiled slightly, with a hint of teasing in her tone: "Your Majesty, you haven't scolded Jingwen since he led his troops into the palace, right? Why don't you try scolding him, or even beating him up, to vent your anger."
The emperor was slightly startled when he heard this, then smiled bitterly: "Mother, how could I hit him? Jingwen is my own brother. Even if he did something wrong, as his elder brother, I can't bear to punish him."
Concubine Chen gently patted the back of the emperor's hand, her tone gentle but firm: "Your Majesty, precisely because he is your brother, you should make him understand his mistakes. Scolding him and beating him will only teach him a lesson and let him know your dissatisfaction. This way, he will cherish your trust in him even more."
The emperor pondered for a moment, a complicated look flashing in his eyes, and finally nodded: "Mother, what you said makes sense. I will think about it carefully."
Concubine Chen seemed to be complaining, "Your Majesty, you didn't beat or punish Jia'er. Did you ever distrust Jia'er at all? Sometimes, brothers need some straightforward expressions to deepen their relationship."
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