Chapter 81 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
The smallpox epidemic in Xiangyang City was finally perfectly resolved under Zhang Xiaojia's treatment. He Fei and Zhang Xiaojia set out on the journey back to Beijing in accordance with the emperor's oral order.
The road back to Beijing has been paved with smooth cement, and the carriage travels on it smoothly and quickly.
Zhang Xiaojia was sitting in the carriage, his eyes inadvertently falling on the Fourth Princess.
The Fourth Imperial Concubine's expression was gloomy, her eyes revealing a deep sense of resentment and resentment. Her hands were tightly clenched around the corners of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the force, as if she was suppressing the emotions surging within her.
She had two sons, one ten years old and the other six years old, who were innocent and should have had a carefree childhood. However, during the struggle for the throne, she trusted Zhang Xiaojia and personally handed the two children over to her.
But in the end, her trust was rewarded with the tragic death of her two children. Her heart seemed to be torn apart, and the pain and anger surged like a tide, unable to calm down.
The Fourth Princess spoke coldly, her voice like a demon from hell: "Zhang Xiaojia, do you wake up from nightmares? Does your conscience pang? In the quiet of the night, do the figures of two children appear in your dreams, demanding your life?"
Zhang Xiaojia looked calmly into the Fourth Princess's eyes, fiddling with a jade pendant in her hand. "No. Because I know full well that if my brother can't ascend the throne, the Fourth Prince will exterminate us all. This is simply the cruel reality of the victor taking all.
My brother has the widespread support of the court officials, both civil and military, who are on our side. The Fourth Prince, however, is brutal and ruthless, treating human life as worthless. He once massacred an entire city for so-called merit.
Her voice was low and firm, stating a simple fact.
She paused and continued, "We only killed the Fourth Prince and his three children, your parents, your older brother, and your younger brother. The Emperor was merciful and didn't kill them all, but simply let them return home."
You have the right to retaliate against us, it is your freedom.
But you shouldn't use the smallpox virus to harm the people of Yongzhou as a bargaining chip for revenge. Have you forgotten the ancestral precepts of the Great Zhou? The struggle for the throne should not harm the people. This is an iron rule and the bottom line.
Upon hearing this, the resentment in the Fourth Princess' eyes grew even stronger, but she was speechless. She knew Zhang Xiaojia was right. The struggle for power was always cruel. The winner was the king, and the loser was the enemy.
But the pain in her heart could not be alleviated at all. She closed her eyes and the smiling faces of the two children appeared in her mind.
Zhang Xiaojia opened the car curtain. The people in the fields were still busy and the children were still playing by the fields.
The Fourth Princess closed her eyes and let the tears fall. She knew she could never go back to the past, never again see those two children running in the fields.
Zhang Xiaojia followed her gaze and saw the scene in the fields.
Her expression remained calm, her fingertips clenching the curtains slightly pale. "All the people want is a peaceful life. The smiling faces of children should be the purest beauty in this world. But some people, driven by their own selfish desires, destroy this beauty with their own hands."
The Fourth Princess smiled miserably: "Do you think my revenge is over?"
Zhang Xiaojia endured it and said, "It looks like we're going to fight to the death."
Zhang Xiaojia injected the needle directly and watched the Fourth Princess fall into coma. They would soon arrive in Kyoto, and the Fourth Princess would be secretly taken away by the Emperor. This might be the last time they would meet.
Zhang Xiaojia looked at her and tears fell like rain.
Wildfires cannot be extinguished, they will spring up again with the spring breeze.
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When they arrived in Kyoto, He Fei and Zhang Xiaojia were taken directly to the imperial palace by the leader of the imperial guards before they even stepped into the palace.
In front of the palace gate, Eunuch Mai had been waiting for a long time. He bowed slightly, with a respectful yet meaningful smile on his face.
Zhang Xiaojia was covered in dust and her hair was a little messy, and it was obvious that she was still tired from the long journey.
She raised her eyes to look at Eunuch Mai, her tone filled with urgency and testing: "Eunuch Mai, this princess would like to wash up first before going to see my brother. I wonder how my brother is feeling today?"
Eunuch Mai smiled slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.
He stepped aside to make way, his tone gentle but measured: "Princess, the Emperor has already prepared hot water and clean clothes for you, so you can rest assured. As for the Emperor's mood..."
He paused, his eyes vaguely glancing at He Fei beside him, and said meaningfully, "The Emperor is full of praise for you, saying that you have made great contributions this time and saved countless people. As for the prince, the Emperor has prepared bamboo sticks..."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming more ambiguous, "You can figure it out yourself."
Zhang Xiaojia's heart tightened and he subconsciously glanced at He Fei.
He Fei's expression remained normal, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he didn't care at all about Eunuch Mai's hint.
He raised his hand and gently patted Zhang Xiaojia's shoulder, whispering, "Go, don't keep my brother waiting anxiously."
Zhang Xiaojia nodded and followed the palace maid to the side hall to wash up. Along the way, her mind was full of thoughts.
Although Eunuch Mai did not say it explicitly, the deep meaning behind it was obvious - the emperor might show leniency to her, but he would probably beat He Fei.
After she finished washing and changed into a clean palace dress, she suddenly looked refreshed.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and then followed Eunuch Mai to the imperial study.
In the imperial study, the emperor was sitting behind the desk, playing with a jade ring in his hand with an indifferent expression.
Seeing Zhang Xiaojia come in, he looked up and said in a gentle tone with a hint of unquestionable majesty: "Jiaer, thank you for your hard work this time."
Zhang Xiaojia quickly bowed, her tone respectful yet intimate: "Brother, you are too kind. Jia'er is just doing her duty."
The Emperor looked at her with a complex expression before he slowly spoke, "Jia'er, you've accomplished great service this time, and I'm deeply pleased. You grew up by Mother's side, and after learning to speak, you called me daddy. Jingwen is my brother, born of the same mother. I don't want you to be involved in these dangers again. Do you understand?"
Zhang Xiaojia's heart trembled, and she said proudly, "Jiaer understands. Daddy, don't worry! I'm a miracle doctor, I will definitely be able to cure it."
The emperor's tone was a little gentler as he patted her head and said, "Go ahead and have a good rest. I'll take Jingwen to my mother's place for dinner later. This will be my welcome to you."
Zhang Xiaojia felt warm in his heart when he heard this, and he quickly bowed and took his leave.
At the door, Zhang Xiaojia saw He Fei and patted him: "He Fei, I will prepare the medicine for the injury."
He Fei rubbed her head and said, "Jia Jia, cherish your free time. I will tie you up tonight."
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