Chapter 40 What the Northern Chu King Wants
In the Northern Chu Imperial Palace, the monarch was sitting on the dragon throne in the imperial study, reviewing memorials. Also in the room was the eldest prince of Northern Chu, Chu Tiankuo, who was grinding ink for the monarch.
After Eunuch Su brought Jiang Xinming in, the monarch put down the pen in his hand, stood up excitedly and walked to Jiang Xinming.
He looked at Jiang Xinming for a long time before he choked up and said, "You, you are Xinming?"
Jiang Xinming looked at the old man in front of him, who was white-haired but still full of energy. He was very excited. He controlled his emotions and said admiringly, "Father, I am Xinming."
Hearing this, the monarch could no longer suppress his inner excitement. He patted Jiang Xinming's shoulder and opened his mouth, but said nothing.
Eunuch Su laughed and said, "Your Majesty is so excited that he can't even speak."
"Your Majesty, why don't you sit down first and talk to His Majesty the Twelfth Prince?"
"Okay," the king said with a smile, "Quick, Xinming, sit next to your father and let him take a good look at you."
Jiang Xinming obediently sat on the left side of the monarch. As soon as he entered the imperial study, he saw Chu Tiankuo, but he pretended not to see him and did not greet him.
In Northern Chu, the left is respected, so Jiang Xinming should have been humble, but he didn't.
Chu Tiankuo didn't say anything, but sat quietly on the right side of the king.
The king seemed completely oblivious to Jiang Xinming's thoughts. He sighed, "Ming'er, you've grown so big now. I remember the last time I saw you, you were only as tall as my knees. After so many years, I finally see you again..."
Jiang Xinming was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Father, did I meet you when I was a child?"
"I have," the monarch nodded, recalling, "After I left Daxia and returned to Northern Chu, I have been thinking about you and your mother all the time."
"I wanted to have someone bring you and your son to Northern Chu, but Northern Chu was in civil strife at the time, and the imperial city was in chaos. I found an opportunity to go to Da Xia, and seeing that you and your son were living well in the Jiang family, I did not bring you here."
The monarch's expression was slightly painful. "At that time, I only thought about the safety of you and your son. I didn't expect your mother to pass away because of my decision, and you also..."
At this point, the monarch's voice choked with sobs, "It was my fault. If it weren't for me, how could you have been treated so poorly by those people, wasting so many years in vain?"
Jiang Xinming was shocked. It turned out that his father felt so guilty and cared about him!
Seeing that Jiang Xinming was stunned and had no intention of comforting him, the king became a little impatient.
What should I do if I applied too little medicine and can’t cry anymore?
Fortunately, Chu Tiankuo and Eunuch Su came to the rescue in time. One of them handed the king a handkerchief, and the other comforted the king.
Chu Tiankuo said anxiously, "Twelfth brother, please try to persuade our father. The imperial physician said that our father cannot stand great joy or great sorrow. He was already emotionally moved when he saw you just now, and he cannot bear the great sorrow again."
Jiang Xinming finally reacted and tried to comfort the king in a gentle voice.
Under his persuasion, the monarch really stopped crying. Eunuch Su couldn't help but sigh: "The Twelfth Prince is the first person who can persuade His Majesty!"
Hearing this, Jiang Xinming quietly raised his position a little bit.
The king paused for a moment before saying, "Ming'er, you've just arrived in Northern Chu and are unfamiliar with everything. Let your eldest brother show you around."
Jiang Xinming then formally bowed to Chu Tiankuo, "Big Brother, I was very rude for not bowing to you just now. I hope you will forgive me."
Chu Tiankuo smiled and said, "We are all brothers. Twelfth brother, there is no need to be so polite. I heard that you have made great contributions this time. Father has built a prince's palace for you. Let me take you to see it."
Although they are brothers, Chu Tiankuo has actually reached the age of forty. The King of Northern Chu is really quite long-lived. Now at the age of seventy, he is still stronger than the average person.
If three people stand together, people will believe they are three generations of grandparents and grandchildren, instead of saying they are father and son.
Speaking of this, Jiang Xinming finally remembered, and he hurriedly said, "Royal brother, please wait a moment. I will give the things I got this time to father first."
The monarch waved his hand and said, "Tomorrow, go and see your prince's palace first. There's no rush for this matter."
Although he said he was not in a hurry, ever since he saw Jiang Xinming, the monarch had been shouting in his heart: Get the things out quickly!
Unfortunately, Jiang Xinming didn't know whether he hadn't gotten the idea or was just pretending to be stupid. He stayed in the imperial study for a long time but didn't take anything out.
Now, after hearing Chu Tiankuo's hint, Jiang Xinming finally understood. He hurriedly took out the things and said, "Father, this is what you wanted. I have fulfilled my mission and brought it back."
It was a folded animal hide. The king unfolded it, took a quick look, and then slapped the table with a delighted expression: "Good!"
"Ming'er, you have made great contributions, and the emperor will reward you!"
Jiang Xinming said hurriedly, "I don't ask for any reward. As long as I stay by your side, it will be the greatest reward for you."
The monarch laughed heartily, "Ming'er will naturally stay by Father's side in the future, but the reward must not be less."
The father and son talked to each other, and the love between them was really touching.
But Chu Tiankuo was not among them. His eyes flashed and he asked, "Twelfth brother, besides you, has anyone else seen this animal skin?"
Jiang Xinming subconsciously said, "There is also the Great Xia Princess Qi Yunxi."
After he finished speaking, he realized that he seemed to have revealed that he had seen the animal skin.
Just as he was about to make some corrections, he heard the king say, "Ming'er is my son, so it's okay for him to see it. Ming'er, your father knows that you are very capable, and he will rely on you to find the treasure in the future."
"But the Princess of Daxia cannot be kept here. Apart from us, anyone who has seen this hide must be killed!"
The king's voice was harsh, and Jiang Xinming shuddered. He hurriedly said, "Father, I beg your permission to get rid of Qi Yunxi."
He shivered, not from fear, but from excitement.
First, because the monarch has included him in his own camp; second, because the monarch trusts him; third...
"Father, you don't know that when I was lurking in the Princess's mansion, Qi Yunxi humiliated me. I wanted to kill her to avenge that humiliation!"
"I hope your Majesty will give me this opportunity!"
Regardless of what others think, Chu Tiankuo secretly cursed Jiang Xinming for being an ungrateful person.
He sent people to monitor Jiang Xinming, and he knew everything about Jiang Xinming's situation in Qinghe County.
The Princess of Daxia was very kind to Jiang Xinming, not to mention being completely devoted to him. Yet, Jiang Xinming repaid her with evil!
Chu Tiankuo was disdainful in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face: "Twelfth brother, it's better for the emperor to send someone. You just came home, and the most important thing is to rest well."
Jiang Xinming wanted to refuse, but the king said, "Let your eldest brother go. Ming'er, you just came back. If you get hurt, I really can't forgive myself."
The king treated Jiang Xinming as a treasure, which made Jiang Xinming very happy.
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