Chapter 173 [VIP]
A wedding to bring good luck!
Some people initially didn't believe it, but seeing the Minister of Rites with a pained expression, staying up all night searching through ancient books, looking everywhere for the proper procedures for a grandson marrying for good fortune, they finally all believed it.
"..."
They were all dumbfounded.
Someone said sourly, "Prince Chen is really enduring humiliation. Heh, he's even willing to marry a woman to ward off bad luck for the sake of the Gu family's military power."
No one paid any attention to these words.
However, they all remembered something else: the Third Prince Xie Jing also held a banquet to take a concubine on the tenth day of the ninth month. The concubine he took was a blessed woman, Ji Nanke, who was once the pearl of the capital.
The Third Prince has already sent out invitations. Could it be that Prince Chen deliberately chose the same day?
Many people scoffed at this claim, arguing that Prince Chen wasn't crazy enough to compete with the Third Prince's concubine-taking.
Although the marriage between the two families was arranged long ago, the betrothal was indeed rushed, and various opinions kept arising.
Xie Yingchen had anticipated this outcome, so he was very open and frank about the "marriage to ward off bad luck" theory, so as not to let anyone have any dirty thoughts about Yaoyao.
He was preoccupied with his own wedding.
Xie Yingchen compared the betrothal gifts with the list of items, but he was still not entirely satisfied with the wooden goose that was to be given as a dowry.
In the Great Qi Dynasty, wild geese were required as gifts for both the betrothal and the wedding procession.
Live geese are rare, and at this time of year, they are even rarer.
Xie Yingchen bent his knuckles and gently tapped the desk.
Is it only possible to use wooden geese first, and then prepare live geese for the wedding?
"Young master."
Knowing that he wanted perfection, Huai Jing reminded him from the side, "The Eastern Depot might have live geese. Next month is the Emperor's birthday, and the inner court should also prepare hundreds of birds."
Xie Yingchen raised an eyebrow. That's right!
This was originally a suggestion from the Imperial Preceptor during the reign of Emperor Taizu.
On the Emperor's birthday, hundreds of birds are released to pray for national peace and prosperity.
"Get ready, we'll go to the palace first."
Xie Yingchen carefully put away the betrothal gift list, got up and left.
It's already September, and Xie Yingchen can't stand the cold anymore; he needs a cloak to go out.
He boarded the carriage and headed straight for the palace.
Prince Li was right; his current status is too awkward, and he is not worthy of Yao Yao.
The Prince Chen's residence is located in the inner city, not far from the imperial palace.
There were even more students in front of the Meridian Gate. When they saw the carriage from Prince Chen's residence approaching, they all stopped talking and followed the carriage with their eyes.
"Do you think Prince Chen is capable of becoming the Crown Prince?"
A young student said something in a low voice.
This sentence brought a moment of silence to the surroundings.
The Duke of Wei had also mentioned it on the Meridian Gate tower, which enraged the emperor, who was clearly unwilling to accept it.
"The title of Crown Prince is legitimate."
"If His Majesty does not respond, he will be disobeying the late Emperor's decree."
Yes, yes.
"The Emperor has not yet designated an heir; perhaps the late Emperor left a will."
Xie Jing heard these words as he rode by, and his heart ached.
The late emperor had allowed scholars to discuss politics when he was alive, so even if Xie Jing was unwilling, he couldn't drive them away. He spurred his horse, and it ran even faster, overtaking Xie Yingchen ahead of him and entering the palace gate first.
After being forced to exonerate the deposed crown prince, perhaps fearing that he would be forced to establish an heir again, the emperor has not attended the morning court for the past few days, spending all his time in Hanzhang Palace, ignoring all the memorials of greeting.
Xie Yingchen was used to this.
It's better if the emperor doesn't come out; he can take the initiative to go to him.
"Meow!"
A familiar meow came from above. The cat, standing on the yellow tiles of the palace wall, looked down at him, its unicorn tail held high, exuding arrogance.
Where is your master?
Xie Yingchen asked it with a smile, intending only to tease the cat casually. But as soon as he finished speaking, a figure as red as fire walked out from the side of the bluestone path. His long sleeves hung down naturally, and he glanced over sideways. The arrogance and impatience on his face were exactly the same as Shen Mao's.
"Meow~"
The cat casually flicked its unicorn tail and greeted its owner.
Xie Yingchen originally planned to go find him after leaving Hanzhang Palace, so it wouldn't matter if they met earlier.
Xie Yingchen took the initiative to walk over to him, took out a red gold-flecked invitation from his sleeve, and handed it to him with both hands.
Shen Xu glanced down at it, then raised an eyebrow in slight surprise and asked, "You invited me?" The invitation was thin, but it felt quite heavy in his hand.
Are you sure?
Shen Xu let out a sneer, his raised eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and mockery.
"Is Your Highness Prince Chen not afraid of gossip, that you would stoop so low as to curry favor with a treacherous minister like me for the sake of the throne?"
Xie Yingchen's smile remained unchanged: "If the Grand Eunuch wishes to attend the banquet at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence as a guest of the bride's family, that is also acceptable."
Shen Xu: "...I'll go whenever I have time."
He put away the invitation, and Xie Yingchen said again, "Master, are there any geese among this year's birds? Could you spare two for me as your congratulatory gift?"
"I have never seen anyone so eager to ask for congratulatory gifts. Luoge."
Xie Yingchen completely ignored his sarcastic remarks: "Pick the two fattest ones with the most beautiful fur."
Shen Xu sneered repeatedly: "Would you like me to have someone bring you a basket, and you can choose whatever you like?"
Xie Yingchen didn't stand on ceremony at all and thanked him with his hands clasped in gratitude.
snort.
Shen Xu snorted coldly, neither responding nor refusing, and continued walking forward on his own. Judging from the direction, he was also heading towards Hanzhang Palace. Xie Yingchen accompanied him.
The tabby cat circled around his feet, meowing affectionately, which made Xie Yingchen glance at it a few more times.
Seeing Xie Yingchen looking at the cat, Shen Xu's gaze followed.
Not content with getting the goose, he also wants to ask for the cat?
Just as he thought of it, Xie Yingchen said, "Master, could you lend me Shenmao for a few days as well?"
Shen Xu: "..."
Xie Yingchen spoke naturally, as if they were old friends, and said without beating around the bush: "It's a bit boring for Yaoyao to live in the temple. Let Chenmao go and keep her company for a few days."
Shen Xu stopped and asked, "Is this really a marriage to bring good luck?"
Xie Yingchen nodded.
The Yin siblings were deeply involved with destiny, so Xie Yingchen didn't hide anything and told them everything he could.
Shen Xu couldn't help but recall the time in the carriage when Gu Zhizhuo had jokingly said that she might be unable to reincarnate. At the time, Shen Xu didn't understand what she meant, but after meeting his sister and hearing her tell him some things, he finally understood.
Refusing to accept fate comes at a price.
Shen Xu bent down and picked up the cat.
Just as Shenmao was about to raise her head to rub against his chin, the cat suddenly flew up and landed in another person's arms.
The cat turned its head and saw Xie Yingchen. It immediately started meowing angrily and baring its teeth and claws.
"Shall I take you to find Yaoyao to play?"
"Meow?"
The paws stopped before touching his face, and the cat licked them awkwardly.
Immediately afterwards, another ebony box was thrown over.
Shen Xu: "A congratulatory gift."
Xie Yingchen took it again, put the cat on his shoulder, and opened the box.
The box was only the size of a palm, and inside was half an inkstone. Judging from the gold characters on the inkstone, it was the birthday gift that the emperor had presented to the late emperor.
Xie Yingchen had only known that such an inkstick existed before, and that the Prince of Jin had used it to threaten the emperor, but he had never seen it in person.
He silently closed the box and sighed softly, "This gift is really too much."
"Thank you, Supervisor."
Shen Xu ignored him and hummed through his nose.
Hanzhang Palace was just ahead. Xie Yingchen said the last thing he had planned to discuss with him: "Lord Supervisor, the epidemic in Qingzhou is spreading quite severely, affecting three or four provinces."
After Xie Yingchen assumed regency, he did not seize power; memorials from the local areas still had to pass through the Directorate of Ceremonial. Therefore, Shen Xu was aware of this.
This epidemic started in Wujiang Prefecture, and the villages and towns near Wujiang Prefecture were the most severely affected. With the scattered refugees, the other provinces of Qingzhou were not spared either.
"The pills Yaoyao made have all been sent to Qingzhou in batches. However, Qingzhou is currently lacking someone to oversee things, and chaos is rampant. The subordinates are being very disobedient." Xie Yingchen spoke quite seriously when discussing important matters. "I wonder if the Grand Eunuch would be willing to make a trip?"
This is a relinquishment of power.
Shen Xu does have power, but it is limited to the capital.
If he accepts this assignment, it would be tantamount to Xie Yingchen handing Qingzhou over to him.
Is this person really not afraid of him seizing power and becoming too powerful? Shen Xu seemed to be deep in thought.
Xie Yingchen said meaningfully, "Chief Supervisor, this task can be discussed with others."
Shen Xu's gaze was sharp as a blade, but it quickly turned into annoyance at Xie Yingchen's smile.
He dared not let his sister know that he was Chen Xu, the eunuch of the Eastern Depot, whom everyone feared, loathed, and hated.
He didn't dare tell his sister how he had survived all these years.
The job in Qingzhou was at least a respectable one, and one that I could talk to my sister about.
Upon entering Hanzhang Palace, Xie Yingchen did not urge him, saying, "Wait a moment, after I come out, we will talk in detail."
Xie Yingchen squeezed the ebony box in his sleeve pocket, then, after having a eunuch announce his arrival, strode into the inner room.
Shen Xu did not go with them.
He sat in the armchair by the window, and the young eunuch quickly brought him his usual tea.
He casually sipped his tea, carefully considering Xie Yingchen's suggestion.
Did Xie Yingchen truly relinquish power, or was he trying to distract himself and take the opportunity to eliminate the Eastern Depot?
"Xie Yingchen, how dare you!"
A roar came from inside, "How dare you... threaten me!"
Then came the sound of heavy objects being swept down, clattering and crashing all over the floor.
"You think I'm afraid of you?!"
Shen Xu took a sip of tea, ignoring what he was hearing.
He stroked the teacup, rejecting the latter.
Xie Yingchen wouldn't be so foolish as to abandon himself before the dust has settled.
"Qingzhou?"
Shen Xu murmured.
If I told my sister that he was an imperial envoy going to Qingzhou to oversee disaster relief, would she feel at ease?
"Thank you, Yingzhen!"
Thump!
The sound of something heavy falling interrupted his thoughts.
A trip to Qingzhou only takes about ten days to half a month.
As long as it puts my sister at ease...
"roll!"
The cat jumped up in fright and buried its head in Shen Xu's arms.
Shen Xu frowned and irritably threw the teacup back onto the table, while the eunuchs serving him remained silent.
"Xie Yingchen, you have ulterior motives!"
After a while, Xie Yingchen finally came out. He called to a palace attendant, "Go and summon the imperial physician. His Majesty is not feeling well."
"The Emperor requests an audience with Prince Li and the Cabinet."
Shen Xu raised an eyebrow and glanced over: "All done?"
"All done."
Xie Yingchen sat down in the armchair next to Shen Xu and said, "The Emperor's eyes are blind."
Forehead? !
"Perhaps he is seriously ill."
"Perhaps it's a backlash."
Shen Xu chuckled softly, a hint of pleasure appearing in his agitated peach blossom eyes.
Xie Yingchen picked up the teacup in front of him and made a toasting gesture towards him.
Shen Xu hesitated for a moment, then returned the toast with a cup of tea and drank half of it in one gulp.
"Thank you, Yingzhen!"
Xie Jing rushed out from inside.
At first, he thought the person had already left, so he went straight to the palace gate as soon as he came out, only to find Xie Yingchen sitting leisurely in a round-backed chair drinking tea. He stopped in his tracks and walked towards Xie Yingchen.
He was standing, while Xie Yingchen was sitting.
However, Xie Jing did not feel condescending; on the contrary, he couldn't help but look away when his eyes met Xie Jing's.
Xie Yingchen smiled and asked, "What is it?"
Recalling how he had threatened and coerced the emperor into granting him the throne, Xie Jing was consumed by rage and had countless questions in his mind, which is why he hurriedly chased after him.
They caught up with him and called out to him.
He hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "The throne you obtained by coercing the Emperor is, in the end, nothing more than rebellion and treason..."
Xie Yingchen interrupted him calmly: "Cousin Jing, do you still remember the curse Changfeng cursed before he died?"
"You killed Changfeng with your own hands that day. Tell me, did the Emperor think you were protecting him, or were you silencing him?"
"If the Emperor discovers that Ji Shi was arranged by you, will he continue to treat you as his precious son, or will he fear that the curse of Changfeng will come true and abandon you, his precious son?"
All the questions Xie Jing wanted to ask stuck in his throat.
He opened his mouth.
Xie Yingchen smiled even more gently, just like an older cousin instructing a younger one.
"You can barely take care of yourself, yet you meddle in other people's business. No wonder the legitimate heir of the Empress can't even get close to the Crown Prince."
"I was away from the capital for six years, and you still couldn't get into the Crown Prince's Palace. Now that I'm back, don't even think about it."
Xie Jing: "..."
In Xie Jing's eyes, Xie Yingchen seemed to have torn off his long-standing disguise, revealing his bloody fangs.
"Jing'er!"
"Where are you, Jing'er!"
The emperor's hysterical shouts came from inside, and Xie Jing shuddered.
Yin Xin stepped forward: "Your Highness, the Third Prince, the Emperor summons you."
Xie Yingchen lowered his eyes and drank his tea. Without those eyes watching him, Xie Jing's tense back suddenly relaxed, and he staggered inside.
After finishing his tea, Xie Yingchen put down his teacup and said, "If the Grand Eunuch has some free time, would you like to return to Wenyuan Pavilion with me?"
Shen Xu flicked his sleeves and stood up: "Let's go."
Shen Xu thought he was about to be given a transfer order to Qingzhou.
Unexpectedly, in addition to the transfer order, there was also an imperial edict, an edict to exonerate the Yin family.
Shen Xu held the imperial edict, remained silent for a long time, and left the Wenyuan Hall without looking back.
Shen Xu changed out of his extremely flamboyant red kylin robe in the carriage and headed straight for Tianxi Tower.
Yin Xiyan is still living in the side room of the small courtyard of Tianxi Building. She is temporarily unable to get up or move. She is taking the medicine prescribed by Gu Zhizhuo every day, and her complexion has improved a lot.
She was the type to have plenty of free time, so Shen Xu had a small table made for her to use on the couch, and she leaned against the pillows to repair the incomplete score.
On the table were writing brushes, ink, and musical scores, and beside her lay her pipa.
After each section was repaired, she would test the sound.
The occasional sound of the pipa, like the gentlest breeze, soothed the restlessness in Shen Xu's heart.
Hearing footsteps, Yin Xiyan looked up and smiled: "Xian-ge'er, you've come."
She put down her pipa and waved to him.
Shen Xu handed over the imperial edict and sat down on the round stool beside the couch. His hands were clenched, and his palms were slightly damp. He wanted to take out a white cloth to wipe his hands, but he bent his fingers again and again and finally managed to resist.
Yin Xiyan opened the imperial edict and quickly skimmed through it before her breath caught in her throat.
She then watched it a second and a third time, tears finally streaming down her face and soaking her fair skin.
finally.
She got what she was waiting for.
She could no longer control herself, covered her face with her hands, and sobbed.
The Yin family was branded as bandits and executed along with their entire family.
When she escaped from Blackwater Fortress, her initial goal was only one thing: to survive and clear the name of the Yin family.
She didn't want her parents to carry this shameful stigma even in the afterlife.
She didn't want her and her brother to spend their entire lives hiding, living under assumed names, like rats in a ditch, unable to see the sunlight.
"The Yin family's assets will also be returned to us."
In fact, all that family property had already been divided up by others.
However, it doesn't matter. Whoever has it in their pocket, I'll chop off their hand. There's nothing that Shen Xu can't get if he wants it.
Yin Xiyan raised her face from the imperial edict, her eyes red and bloodshot.
Tears continued to stream down her face uncontrollably, and she pressed the imperial edict tightly against her chest.
Shen Xu mimicked Gu Zhizhuo's coaxing manner, his peach blossom eyes clear and without a trace of gloom: "Sister, you can take care of the Yin family's horse farm again in the future. By the way, sister can restore her household registration now, I'll go and get it done in a bit."
He smiled shyly, his expression innocent and kind: "Don't worry, it'll be done very quickly."
If the Prefect of the Capital dares to delay, chop him up!
Yin Xiyan: "..."
My gaze fell on his taut little finger.
He grew up right under her nose; what little tricks of his could she not understand?
What secret could he possibly keep from her?
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