Jingle walked straight up to the emperor and greeted him with a smile, "Master Qin, why are you interested in going out to enjoy the autumn scenery today? I heard that you were ill a while ago."
Previously, there was a commotion in the court over who would go out to welcome Chu Yuanchen.
Logically speaking, without a crown prince, it would be more solemn for the emperor to go in person. There have been precedents in history and they have become famous stories. However, the emperor claimed that he was ill and finally decided on Prince Zhao.
The emperor's face darkened.
Jingle had been a hostage for so many years that he knew the emperor's bottom line long ago, and he attacked his weakness without fear: "Chen'er is about to come back, where should Uncle Xue's body be placed? You have been ill for so long, and you still haven't given a definite answer."
emperor:"……"
He folded the gold-painted folding fan in his hand with a "snap".
Jingle brushed her sleeves and said slowly, "I think the Taimiao is pretty good."
"Ridiculous!" the emperor blurted out angrily, "Jingle, you are so brave."
His eyes were gloomy, and he said in a cold voice: "Xue Zhongzhi colluded with Nan Huai, and deserved death. How can he have the face to keep his body in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and see the late emperor and Taizu Taizong again!"
"Colluding with Nan Huai?" Jingle said calmly, "Do you want to discuss in front of the whole world how Xue Zhongzhi died?"
The emperor gripped the handle of the fan tightly, and the fan tapped against his palm rhythmically.
Of course, the late emperor also wanted to convict Xue Zhongzhi of treason to prevent future troubles. However, it was impossible for all three princes to commit treason one after another, and this would not stop the people from talking about it. He also did not want to be talked about in unofficial history in the future.
He said angrily, "The Ministry of Rites will make arrangements for where to place Xue Chongzhi's body." He then casually changed the subject.
Sheng Xiyan seemed to be thinking about something, and then continued, "Princess. I heard that the day when the Lingnan Palace was burned by the Nanhuai people was terrifying! Tens of thousands of locusts appeared in the sky above Kangu City, just like black clouds, covering the entire sky, making it dark and gloomy. The people all said that it was because the Lingnan King Xue family died innocently and was full of loyal and brave people, and even the heavens were mourning for them."
The emperor's heart trembled, and his face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it.
Jingle added, "Yes. Sister Yan, you were not born at that time, so you probably don't know. On that day, locusts swarmed above Zhan Ancient City, and it was pitch black, like a ghost town. It is said that the entire Xue family and all the people who died in the sea of fire turned into fierce ghosts and wanted to take revenge on those who killed them..."
"Enough!" the emperor said coldly. His breathing became a little rapid, as if he remembered something terrible, and his eyes became a little vague.
"Master Qin, what's wrong with you? It was the people of Nanhuai who killed Xue Zhongzhi's entire family and the people of Kangu City. If they want revenge, they should look for Nanhuai." Jingle smiled and looked directly at the emperor without hesitation.
"So that's really the case." Sheng Xiyan nodded in sudden enlightenment, clasping her hands and saying, "This time when Prince Chu's coffin is brought to the capital, maybe the heavens will also have some inspiration, just like what happened in Zhan Ancient City that day, with dark clouds covering the sun and locusts flying across the city..."
The emperor's chest rose and fell, and he laughed in anger: "Okay. Then I'll wait and see if there will be such a day!"
Really good, really good! I don't know how this girl from the Sheng family was raised, she is a perfect match for the Zhenbei Palace! They are both disrespectful to their superiors.
The emperor was filled with rage and left in a huff. Everyone followed him, feeling extremely nervous. It was obvious that the emperor would be furious after getting into trouble here.
Xiao Shuo narrowed his eyes, as if thinking about something. Just as he was about to leave, his expression suddenly froze and his gaze fell on the mutton-fat white jade pendant with a unicorn stepping on auspicious clouds on Sheng Xiyan's waist. His pupils shrank slightly and his little finger trembled inadvertently. A hint of imperceptible surprise appeared on his face, which had always been perfectly concealed.
The subtle change in that instant did not attract anyone's attention. He turned around and followed the emperor and soon walked away.
Finally the emperor was pissed off and left!
Jingle wanted to piss them off, otherwise it would be really hard for the two of them. The Zhenbei Palace and the emperor had long been in a situation of life and death, and Jingle knew him too well. Before the emperor caught the handle, she was just verbally angry with him. He was so face-conscious that he would not do anything to them. If he caught the handle, even if she was respectful and humble, he would still kill them.
If so, what is there to be afraid of? !
Obviously Sheng Xiyan also understood her intention. Jingle became happier. She held Sheng Xiyan's hand and said with a smile, "Let's go back."
Sheng Xiyan smiled happily: "Princess, why are you here?" Fortunately, Princess Jingle came, otherwise, she would not know how to get the emperor away.
Jingle said as she walked, "I received a message this morning saying that Achen had already arrived in the capital, and someone informed the emperor, and the emperor was about to come and stop him." She said briefly, "So, I hurried over. As soon as I arrived at the manor, I saw Mrs. Qiu running over and saying that you were stopped by the emperor..."
Jingle suddenly remembered something. She stopped, took Sheng Xiyan's hand, looked her up and down, and said with a smile: "Last time I felt that you were missing something, now I finally remember it!"
She took off the whip from her waist and put it in her hand. She was satisfied now: "As a little girl, you can't be without a weapon that suits you. You can use this whip first. Even if you don't know how to use it, you can use it to scare people so that no one will think you are easy to bully. This whip was used by my mother."
Sheng Xiyan held the whip in her hand, stared blankly, and then nodded repeatedly.
She once thought that her daughter would be confined to a square inner house for the rest of her life, managing the family's food, clothing, housing and transportation. But now she felt that there should be more possibilities.
Sheng Xiyan let Jingle hang the horsewhip on her waist and happily followed her back.
"Mom. Ah Yan."
Chu Yuanchen was waiting in the yard. When he saw them come back, his eyes lit up and he came over quickly. His peach blossom eyes, which were similar to Jingle's, were filled with joy and longing, and he looked at her almost intently.
Jingle hadn't seen her son for at least four or five years. She wondered about him day and night, wondering if he would be scared being alone in the northern border, wondering if he would blame her for pushing such a heavy burden on him, wondering if he would be hurt... She was stunned for a moment. Her first reaction was that fortunately her son's appearance had not changed, and he looked the same as in her memory. He should not be rejected by her daughter-in-law. Her second reaction was...
"You've grown taller." Jingle cried with joy. She raised her hand and compared, "Last time you were as tall as me."
As he said this, tears could not stop falling.
Her Achen has grown up where she can't see.
Chu Yuanchen just smiled, the smile on his face still nonchalant as before, and said, "Don't cry, it will make you look ugly if your makeup is smudged."
Jingle: “…”
She didn't know whether to be angry or laugh, so she raised her hand and flicked his forehead with her fingers, just like when he was a child. Chu Yuanchen cooperated and bent down slightly.
Jingle Waner smiled, and there was less strangeness after not seeing each other for so many years.
"Mom, Ah Yan, please go in and sit down first."
Chu Yuanchen walked in with Jingle in his arms, and asked Sheng Xiyan, "Are you okay?"
Upon hearing that the emperor was in trouble, Chu Yuanchen wanted to go over, but because Jingle had already gone, he reluctantly held back.
Sheng Xiyan shook her head and recounted what had happened with a smile. When she heard the word "locusts", Chu Yuanchen pondered for a moment.
Jingle asked casually, "Ah Chen, did you send someone to deliver the message to me?"
Chu Yuanchen replied nonchalantly: "Yes."
Jingle didn't think it was strange, but Sheng Xiyan knew in her heart that the messenger was probably not Chu Yuanchen, but Xiao Shuo. Chu Yuanchen couldn't have known that the emperor would come, otherwise he wouldn't be unprepared.
After thinking about it, he returned to the main hall. After everyone sat down, Jingle calmed down and said straight to the point: "Achen, your father and I have divorced."
She looked straight at Chu Yuanchen and added without hesitation: "To be precise, I was the one who divorced him."
Died? Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows. So, the Heart-Eroding Grass was the work of Jiang Ting! ?
Jingle was not ready yet. She had originally thought that Chu Yuanchen would not be back until five days later, but she did not expect to see him earlier. On the way here, she thought again and again and felt that she could not delay. She did not want to leave any rift or misunderstanding between her and her son.
Chu Yuanchen showed only a little surprise: "What happened?"
His tone hardly changed, but Sheng Xiyan noticed the flash of anger on his face.
Her intuition told her that this anger was not directed at Jingle, but at Jiang Ting.
Sheng Xiyan still remembered that Chu Yuanchen had kept his return to Beijing a secret from Jingle the last time, and even when he was seriously injured, he did not take shelter in the Zhenbei Palace. She originally thought that she did not want Jingle to worry, but later she thought that even the news of Chu Yuanchen's death had been reported back at that time, and what else could make Jingle more worried than his whereabouts being unknown or his death?
Unless it is really impossible to say...
Could it be that Jiang Ting not only drugged Princess Jingle, but also did something else to make Chu Yuanchen so defensive?
Jingle clenched his hands into fists in his sleeves, and told the story in a calm tone, only hiding the part about Sheng Xiyan.
Chu Yuanchen nodded and said, "Just do as mother says."
Jingle's eyes lit up with joy, and he blurted out in disbelief: "You agreed?"
Chu Yuanchen looked into her eyes, his dark peach blossom eyes were as clear as a mirror, and he smiled and asked, "Why shouldn't I agree?"
The person beside you is determined to kill you, and no one can stand this. According to Darong's law, if a woman intentionally kills her husband, she can be sentenced to death by hanging. You can't do the opposite and not even allow her to divorce her husband?
Jingle was obviously relieved, and a happy smile spread from her lips to her eyebrows. She finally let go of the worry she had been feeling for the past few days. In fact, even if Chu Yuanchen really disagreed, she would still insist on doing so, but she really didn't want to quarrel with her son because of Jiang Ting.
Chu Yuanchen's support is more important to her than anything else.
Jingle picked up the teacup, drank a few sips of water, moistened his throat, and then said, "I want Jiang Ting to move out of the palace."
Chu Yuanchen just said: "You decide."
Jingle's eyes were full of smiles, and she stopped mentioning Jiang Ting. She changed the subject and asked, "How is Ji Mingyang?" When she mentioned this name, her voice paused slightly.
"I feel pretty good." Chu Yuanchen said with a smile, "I just ate a big bowl of porridge and didn't vomit. My temperature has dropped a little and I'm not sweating anymore."
This was said not only to Jingle, but also to Sheng Xiyan.
Sheng Xiyan said with a smile: "I told you, your life is saved." She held her small chin high, looking very proud.
Chu Yuanchen clapped his hands and praised: "Ayan is right. Ayan is the smartest."
Sheng Xiyan's eyes curved at the compliment, and her smile, brighter than the rising sun, looked even more charming.
Even a blind person could see how familiar these two people were. Jingle raised her eyebrows and turned to look at Chu Yuanchen, who winked at her and indicated that he would talk to her later. So, they tacitly did not ask anything and just nodded secretly, thinking: I didn't expect that her son, who was so out of tune, was actually good at coaxing girls. I can rest assured now!
Ji Mingyang was still very weak, and by the time Chu Yuanchen brought Jingle in, he had fallen asleep again.
Jingle came out after just one look. Several Northern Frontier Army soldiers on the farm came over to greet her. Jingle was a cheerful person and didn't put on airs. She soon became friendly with them and asked about Chu Yuanchen's time in Northern Frontier. She wanted to know more about her son.
Ji Mingyang did not wake up until the afternoon. After Sheng Xiyan took his pulse, she asked Han Qianzhi to feed him another dose of aged mustard brine.
"His pulse has become steady."
The fever hasn't completely subsided, but it has gotten much better. To be honest, it's like the temperature has dropped from a cup of boiling water to a cup of lukewarm water. My breathing has also become steady, and I haven't coughed up blood the entire afternoon.
"You have to drink this aged mustard salt three times a day, about ten spoonfuls each time. Also, you must drink the medicine I prescribed every day, twice a day." Sheng Xiyan instructed seriously, with a serious look on his face.
"That's all for now. I'll come back to see him again in two days."
Everything she said was carefully noted down by someone, and no one dared to neglect it.
Ji Mingyang was still very weak. He fell asleep again less than half an hour after waking up. But this time there was a little color on his face. He did not look like he would die at any moment yesterday. After going to Yanluo Palace, he was forcibly pulled back to the human world.
So, Sheng Xiyan was about to go back.
She has been out for almost a day and a night. Previously, Ji Mingyang was in critical condition and could not leave, but now she has to leave.
Because she didn't know whether the emperor would come back, Jingle stayed in the manor for the time being and asked Chu Yuanchen to take her back.
The two of them rode on horseback at a quick pace and hurried back to the capital before the city gates were closed.
Chu Yuanchen carried her in his arms, climbed over the wall from a small alley beside the Sheng Mansion, and silently sent her back to Caiqiu Courtyard, then protected her and climbed through the window of the small study.
Sheng Xiyan said to him through the window: "If Ji Mingyang's condition changes, whether his temperature goes up again or he keeps coughing, remember to come find me."
Chu Yuanchen leaned against the window, looking like he was not standing properly, and asked, "Will you come to pick me up in five days?"
He was talking about the day he entered Beijing.
Sheng Xiyan said openly, "I have reserved a private room."
Chu Yuanchen's eyes lit up with joy, and he leaned forward a little more, and said, "Then when the time comes, will you throw another purse to me?"
Sheng Xiyan tilted her head and thought about it seriously.
Seeing this, Chu Yuanchen coaxed her again and again: "You made it yourself. I want a lotus color with bamboo leaves embroidered on it. Okay?"
"I……"
She was about to speak when the person in front of her suddenly disappeared. She blinked, and then the door of the study opened, and a surprised voice came out: "Girl, you are finally back."
This is the return from the past.
She ran over quickly, took her hand, and cried and laughed: "Girl, I'm almost going crazy."
Sheng Xiyan first said "sorry". She didn't expect to come back so late. Then she said, "Did you see the letter I left?"
She now trusted Xigui quite a lot, so in order to prevent Xigui from being too anxious, she specifically wrote in the letter that someone had fallen ill and it was the Prince of Zhenbei who took her out.
She and Chu Yuanchen are engaged, which should make Xigui feel a little relieved.
“Yes.”
Xigui nodded. She found Sheng Xiyan missing when she woke up in the morning, and then she saw the letter in the study. At that moment, she was dumbfounded.
Everything else was fine. Apart from her, only E Rui could enter the house to serve. As long as she sent E Rui away and told the lady that she was not feeling well, no one would notice that the girl was missing. However, her heart was still tense all day and she couldn't calm down.
"Miss, you should let me keep watch from now on." Xigui wanted to cry but had no tears. "Next time you sneak out, you can take me with you."
Sheng Xiyan smiled but said nothing. She yawned and changed the subject, "Is there anything going on in the mansion?"
Xigui looked at her with resentment, nodded, shook his head, and said, "Miss, my aunt is here with my cousin."
She was talking about Sheng and her daughter Zhao Yuanrou.
"Amber quietly told me that my aunt came to discuss her return with the old master, and she also wanted to adopt my cousin as his daughter."
"Ah." Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows and said, "Are all members of the Zhao family dead?" Otherwise, why would they pass their daughter on to someone else?
Xigui continued, "Hubo said that Madam didn't dare to make the decision, so she promised them to wait for Master to come back and talk to him. The eldest aunt also promised Madam that if the matter was successful, she would give Madam 12,000 silver notes as a thank you. Madam must be tempted."
Sheng Xiyan didn't think it was strange. Considering Liu's greed, it would be strange if he wasn't tempted.
She nodded slightly and said sleepily, "I'm sleepy."
She had only closed her eyes for an hour, and her eyes were already numb with sleepiness.
"Please prepare some hot water for me."
Xigui retreated in a hurry. Sheng Xiyan was about to go out, but turned back to look out the window. Chu Yuanchen was standing in the shadow. He slightly opened his lips and silently said the word "purse".
Sheng Xiyan covered her mouth and chuckled.
After washing up, she didn't even bother to let her hair dry yet, and fell back into bed, falling into a deep sleep.
The night deepened and everything was silent.
The emperor was not sleepy at all. He stood silently in front of the window of Yu's study for a long time without saying a word.
He should have gone to bed at this hour, but he tossed and turned and could not fall asleep tonight. He even did not want to pay attention to the new beauty in the harem.
Before he set out for Lingnan, the late emperor told him that those who want to accomplish great things cannot be too fussy about trivial matters, and only by eliminating all hidden dangers can the great dynasty be ensured to last for thousands of years.
Although the three princes had made contributions to the country, they had been in the vassal land for more than a hundred years and had long been separatist. The people in the vassal land almost forgot that they were the people of the Great Rong Dynasty, and the soldiers in the vassal land were only loyal to the princes. If the princes were not removed, the world of the Great Rong Dynasty would never be completely controlled by the Qin family.
He believed that what the late emperor said was right. Each of the three princes had the power of 300,000 soldiers, and the total number of imperial guards was no more than 820,000. They had no ulterior motives now, but human hearts were unpredictable. He would feel more at ease if he held the power of the soldiers in his own hands.
The emperor looked up at the stars in the night sky, his mind full of thoughts.
The late emperor was a wise ruler with great talent and strategy, and even though Xue Chongzhi had been his companion and close friend, he still reluctantly gave him up for the sake of the great prosperity of his foundation.
Everything went smoothly.
That day, he personally led his troops to the ancient city of Zhan.
He watched the fire grow bigger and bigger. The sky seemed to be stained with blood. It was horrifying to the eyes. There was a strong smell of kerosene all around.
He will never forget that day, the red flames engulfed the entire city, black smoke and flames filled the air, making it impossible for any living being to escape. Even if there were, it would be difficult to escape from the encirclement of tens of thousands of troops.
But he could not leave, for the late Emperor had ordered him to ensure that the weeds were eradicated.
Therefore, he planned to wait until the fire was out before leading his troops into the city.
At that moment, he saw the locusts.
Dense swarms of locusts flew over from nowhere, in an endless stream. They were like rolling black clouds that instantly covered the sky. It was pitch black all around, and it suddenly turned from day to night. Even the flames in the sky were eclipsed by these black clouds.
The locust's wings fluttered and buzzed, making his ears almost burst, and an unprecedented fear surged into his heart.
It was the guards who desperately escorted him out of Zhan Ancient City.
It was not until the locusts dispersed that he returned to Zhan Ancient City and counted the corpses in Lingnan Palace.
Everything went very smoothly afterwards. After the vassal state of Lingnan was recovered, the late emperor wanted to give Xue Chong's family a grand burial, and he specially built a cenotaph for them. He even went to Huangjue Temple in person to burn a stick of incense for Xue Chong, thus completing the relationship between the monarch and his subjects.
However, rumors have been spreading among the people since some time ago, saying that the locusts covering the sky above Zhan Ancient City were because Xue Zhongzhi died with regrets, and that the Emperor felt something was fishy and was upset about Xue Zhongzhi's family. Even in the court, some people asked the late Emperor directly...
"Ah Shuo." His voice was filled with emotion. "What on earth did the girl from the Sheng family mean by what she said today?"
After returning from the manor, the emperor has been uneasy and he couldn't help thinking about that day.
It has been more than 20 years now, and whenever he thinks of the locusts that covered the sky, he feels a chill in his heart and can still seem to hear a buzzing sound in his ears.
Xiao Shuo gently soothed her, "There is no report of locust plague in the capital. Princess Jingle just wants to irritate you and drive you away."
The emperor nodded repeatedly.
He was originally going to arrest Chu Yuanchen, but after being distracted by Jingle and the girl from the Sheng family, he forgot about his business.
Now that I think about it, maybe Chu Yuanchen is really on the farm.
At this time, a eunuch came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Qintian Supervisor has arrived."
The emperor calmed down and said, "Send it."
The palace gates had actually been locked at this time, but if the emperor wanted to see someone, they had to be opened.
Supervisor Qin Tian was about fifty years old. After greeting the guests, he stood respectfully with his hands clasped.
The emperor sat back at his desk and asked, "Are there any unusual signs in the sky these days?"
The supervisor subconsciously glanced at Xiao Shuo. Xiao Shuo had a gentle look and a faint smile on his lips. His red Qilin robe looked as if it was stained with blood, which made people tremble with fear.
The warden shuddered and lowered his head even lower.