Chapter 177 [VIP]
ah?
Xie Jing was stunned.
His eyes were slightly dazed, and the smell of alcohol made his mind slow down, so he didn't react for a moment.
The surroundings fell silent, and countless gazes shifted back and forth between Xie Yingchen and Xie Jing.
Despite Liang's defeat three years ago, Liang still possesses formidable military strength. Compared to the Northern Di and the Japanese pirates of Minzhou, the emperor fears Liang more. If the Third Prince marries the princess of Liang, Liang might very well support Xie Jing in seizing the throne in order to ensure the eternal union of the two nations' bloodlines.
After all, Xie Jing was the emperor's biological son.
The emperor, now left with no other choice, has made Xie Yingchen his heir, but he is still addressed as the rather awkward "Crown Grandson".
Sun is the grandson of the late emperor, so what does he have to do with the emperor?
The Marquis of Jingyang's eyes flickered, then he chuckled and interjected, "Your Excellency, you're mistaken. Even if the Crown Prince marries the Crown Princess, he'll still have concubines and other high-ranking officials..."
Xie Yingchen smiled and said, "Your suggestion is excellent."
Anyone could tell that the Marquis of Jingyang meant to persuade Xie Yingchen to leave one of his concubines for the princess of Liang.
But everyone could see that Xie Yingchen deliberately interrupted him, not letting him finish speaking, to save him face.
Xie Yingchen said calmly, "The Duke of Chengen is my cousin Jing's maternal uncle, so he is naturally thinking of my cousin Jing's best interests. My cousins Zhuo and Lang have already been betrothed and have their principal wives, but my cousin Jing is still unmarried. The Emperor is seriously ill and cannot attend to him. As his cousin, I naturally have to take care of him."
He looked at Xie Jing, his eyes smiling, revealing neither joy nor anger: "Cousin Jing, what do you say?"
Does the Crown Prince mean he really intends for the Third Prince to marry the Princess of Liang?!
Some people gasped in shock, while others pondered Xie Yingchen's true intentions.
Ji Nanke stood there, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Even though everyone could see her, they all acted as if she didn't exist, freely gossiping about Xie Jing's marriage right in front of her.
Ji Nanke's fingers trembled as she quietly tugged at Xie Jing's sleeve, hoping he would say, "Don't worry, my primary wife will only be you." However, Xie Jing remained silent.
He remained silent.
It seemed as if they were weighing the options, or perhaps pondering the matter.
Ji Nanke felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head; her chest felt tight and aching.
Duke Chengen glared at Ji Nanke with disdain and urged, "Jing'er, what are you standing there for? His Highness the Crown Prince is asking you a question."
After saying that, he added with a flattering smile, "His Highness the Crown Prince is deeply in love with Miss Gu, so naturally he wouldn't be interested in the Princess of Liang."
Xie Yingchen made no attempt to hide the excitement in his eyes: "Of course."
Xie Jing hadn't intended to agree, but when he met Xie Yingchen's determined gaze, the alcohol took effect, and a rebellious streak welled up inside him.
Hsieh Ying-chen!
Hsieh Ying-chen!
He always felt inferior to Xie Yingchen.
In the past, when the late emperor was alive, it was so.
Even now that the late emperor is gone, it remains the same.
What did Xie Yingchen mean by that? Did he no longer want the Princess of Liang because he had Gu Zhizhuo? Ha, was he doing this on purpose to show Gu Zhizhuo his deep affection?
Make Gu Zhizhuo devoted to him!
Gu Zhizhuo should have been his fiancée. Xie Yingchen stole his engagement; how is that any different from the Emperor forcibly taking a subject's wife?
Xie Jing shook off Ji Nanke's hand and walked towards Xie Yingchen.
One step at a time.
The strong liquor rushed straight to his head, sweeping away all his reason.
"good."
Xie Jing agreed.
"I am willing to marry the princess of Liang as my prince's consort for the sake of the Great Qi Kingdom."
He'll make him regret it.
He regretted pushing the Liang Kingdom behind him!
Xie Yingchen looked at him and smiled slightly.
He dusted off his sleeves and said, "In that case, I understand."
This was the first time he had used self-reference today.
This single word created an immense distance between them.
Xie Yingchen: "Lord Cheng'en".
Duke Cheng'en happily agreed.
"I'm entrusting this task to you," Xie Yingchen said with a smile. "I'm sure you're capable of handling it well."
The Duke of Cheng'en readily agreed: "Leave it to me."
Ji Nanke: "..."
Unable to contain her shame, anger, and unease, she finally blurted out, "Xie Jing, what did you promise me?"
Her voice was slightly shrill, with a questioning tone.
He had promised her that making her a concubine was only a temporary measure, and that he would make her his principal wife later; he would not marry another woman. Xie Jing suddenly realized what he had said and secretly regretted his decision.
"Ke'er..."
Ji Nanke gave a self-deprecating laugh and ran out without looking back.
Xie Jing took a step to chase after him, but then abruptly stopped.
If we chase after her now, people will only say that Ke'er is being unreasonable. Sigh, I'll talk to her about it later.
Ji Nanke ran out of the flower hall. The cool breeze brushed against her face, and she finally calmed down. Perhaps because she had run too fast, she felt a dull pain in her chest. She walked slowly forward, intending to wait for Xie Jing to catch up.
However, even as she approached the ceremonial gate, Xie Jing still hadn't appeared.
Ji Nanke stopped and looked back, a faint sadness in her eyes. But then, the sadness turned into anger and hatred, mixed with intense unease.
She felt as if she had lost something.
Everything was out of her control.
Cough cough.
Ji Nanke's chest pain worsened, and she coughed uncontrollably. She clutched her throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Bright red blood splattered onto the lilac embroidery on the sleeve, a glaring red.
Ji Nanke's pupils contracted sharply, and fear swept over her like a tidal wave.
This is the second time.
She was so scared.
Ji Nanke hugged herself and slowly squatted down, her back pressed against the railing of the water-crossing corridor.
Why is Gu Zhizhuo unwilling to let her go, pushing her step by step to this point where she is trapped with no way out and is abandoned by everyone?
She gritted her teeth, filled with resentment, fear, and hatred, all of which she poured out onto the name.
Why did you hurt me?
This shouldn't be happening.
A voice from the depths of her being told that if she continued down this path, she would lose everything.
Everything she gained through good fortune will leave her.
Just like Xie Jing's feelings for her.
Seven or eight footsteps approached from afar. Ji Nanke, who was squatting on the ground, slowly turned her head to look. A pair of black leather boots came into view. She raised her eyes slightly and saw the hem of a bright red robe.
The hem of the robe flashed past her, and she saw the figure in the red unicorn robe, surrounded by a crowd, gradually walk away. The gold embroidery on the robe was dazzling in the sunlight.
Don't accept your fate!
"Master, please wait."
Ji Nanke shouted loudly as she scrambled to her feet, gripping the railing behind her tightly with both hands.
"There's something I..."
Before she could finish speaking, a brocade dagger was pressed against her neck.
The accompanying Imperial Guards' sharp eyes were filled with murderous intent.
Not just anyone is worthy to speak before the Grand Eunuch. Anyone who speaks or acts rashly will always be treated as an assassin.
Ji Nanke's neck tilted back instinctively, and the sharp embroidered spring knife left a thin line of blood on her snow-white neck.
Shen Xu didn't even turn his head.
His arrival surprised everyone in the flower hall. This head of the Eastern Depot was not an easy person to get along with, and he was cold and aloof to everyone. No one expected that he would come to offer his congratulations in person.
Even though Shen Xu only drank one glass of wine and then left.
Soon, to the surprise of all the civil and military officials, Xie Yingchen issued his first decree after becoming the crown prince, ordering Shen Xu to go to Qingzhou to be in charge of all matters in Qingzhou, with the privileges of dismissal, appointment, removal, and execution.
This imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the court.
Some people secretly wondered if Xie Yingchen wanted to get rid of Shen Xu and take control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot.
Absolutely!
If the Crown Prince were truly as gentle and harmless as he appears, he would probably have died in Liang Kingdom long ago. Even if he were to survive and return, he would have no chance of surpassing the emperor's own son to become the heir apparent.
He's definitely a ruthless and vicious man!
By using Qingzhou as bait to lure away Shen Xu, the most difficult person to control, they could then seize the opportunity to cultivate their own people within the Directorate of Ceremonial. The deposed crown prince has been crown prince for so many years; he must have loyal confidants among the eunuchs.
If Xie Yingchen could seize control of the Eastern Depot and the inner court, he could either force the emperor to abdicate and ascend the throne, or simply remain the crown prince and wait for the emperor's death.
"Jing'er, just you wait and see." Duke Cheng'en confidently pointed out, "Once Shen Xu leaves, Xie Yingchen will definitely make a move against the Eastern Depot."
“Shen Xu is a ruthless man. He will never let others dictate his way. Once they turn against us, we will have our chance.”
The Duke of Cheng'en was different from other court officials.
He was a maternal relative, the third prince's maternal uncle. With this relationship, if Xie Jing hadn't ascended the throne, his status would have plummeted.
The title of Duke Chengen was not hereditary; once he died, his sons and grandsons would have nothing.
“If you marry the princess of Liang, Liang will definitely be happy for you to succeed to the throne. Besides, there is the emperor! How could the emperor be willing to give up the crown prince position to Xie Yingchen for nothing? Alas, he was forced into this situation.”
"You ruined such a great marriage for the Gu family yourself, Jing'er. This time, you must not do anything foolish for the sake of beauty again."
Xie Jing felt a heavy weight in his heart as he thought of Gu Zhizhuo. After a while, he replied, "Yes."
He's already made a mistake once; he won't make the same mistake twice.
The various private discussions in court naturally did not escape Shen Xu's ears.
He left Sheng Jiang, Wu Shang, and a cat behind. On the day he left the capital, Xie Yingchen personally escorted him to Sanliting and even hitched a ride in his carriage.
Along the way, Xie Yingchen gave all the necessary instructions.
"The affairs of Qingzhou are now in the hands of the Grand Counselor."
“Take care of those who need to be dealt with, kill those who need to be killed, and show no mercy.”
"I will handle any impeachment or similar matters myself."
Shen Xu leaned back on the pillow and chuckled coldly, "Do you even need to tell me that? I thought the Crown Prince didn't like to kill indiscriminately and wanted to win people over with virtue."
Xie Yingchen smiled faintly: "In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. Killing one person to save a hundred, or killing a hundred to save a city, I know which is more important."
Since the earthquake, Xie Yingchen has dismissed many local officials in Qingzhou and dispatched the Imperial Guard to prevent banditry. However, the world is far away and all sorts of troubles have already happened by the time they reach him. No matter how quickly he deals with them afterward, it is not as good as preventing them beforehand.
This requires a decisive and ruthless person to personally go to Qingzhou to take charge of the overall situation.
Shen Xu fiddled with a white jade cup, listening to the conversation in a half-hearted manner.
"There is also the epidemic."
Xie Yingchen once again urged, "You must pay close attention."
Shen Xu lifted his eyelids: "This is the sixth time."
From the moment he rushed to my residence early this morning, insisting on seeing me off, until now, he has repeatedly brought up the epidemic.
Shen Xu was thoroughly annoyed by it.
Shen Xu was not a patient man. He casually put down the teacup, placed his hands on the small table, stared into his eyes, and asked, "Stop rambling and just say it."
Xie Yingchen had no intention of hiding it from him, since he already knew the whole story: "...The epidemic is a matter of life and death for Yaoyao."
Shen Xu touched the small jade pendant on his wrist and said only one word: "Okay."
"There is one more thing." Xie Yingchen smoothed his clothes, preparing to get off the carriage, and turned back to say, "The Yin family has been exonerated, but the Yin family's calamity was the fault of the court. The Yin family also bore the stigma of being bandits for more than ten years, and the whole family perished. I believe that the court should provide compensation, and the daughter of the Yin family should be granted the title of county princess."
After Xie Yingchen finished speaking, he looked at him and said, "Chief Eunuch, what do you think?"
Shen Xu's long eyelashes trembled slightly. His peach blossom eyes initially held a hint of sharpness, but quickly softened like gentle ripples, all his hostility vanishing.
Xie Yingchen deliberately brought this up after finishing explaining the affairs of Qingzhou. He didn't intend to use it as a condition to get his help, nor was he trying to bribe him. He told himself that he was simply trying to avoid having any other plans regarding his sister's placement.
This person...
They were indeed completely different from the emperor.
He awkwardly replied, "Whatever you say."
Xie Yingchen smiled slightly and got off the carriage.
After watching Shen Xu's carriage disappear into the distance, Xie Yingchen did not return to the capital. Instead, he took Chongjiu and Xiangyang and went directly to Taiqing Temple via a detour.
Even after the sunset glow faded, the Taiqing Temple remained extremely popular with worshippers. When Xie Yingchen arrived, pilgrims came and went in an endless stream, and incense smoke lingered in front of the Sanqing Hall for a long time.
Xie Yingchen turned towards the back mountain with familiarity. Along the way, the pilgrims excitedly discussed the unusual glow of the sunset, each one as if they had seen it with their own eyes.
Hearing them say, "The rosy glow draped over Miss Gu, like a fairy's robe, unbelievably beautiful," Xie Yingchen's lips curved into a small smile, and he became even more impatient.
He pushed open the door to the small courtyard, and Gu Zhizhuo, who was sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun, turned around at the sound.
Upon seeing that it was Xie Yingchen, she exclaimed joyfully, "Young Master!"
She was clearly more energetic; her beautiful phoenix eyes sparkled, and her cheeks regained some color, completely dispelling her sickly appearance.
Xie Yingchen finally felt relieved and walked quickly towards her. He half-squatted on the ground and tightly hugged Gu Zhizhuo, who was sitting on the recliner, in his arms, feeling her familiar scent and fragrance.
"very nice."
Gu Zhizhuo leaned against him and nodded in agreement.
Her hands were warm, and her body was warm, unlike the icy cold that had frightened him in the past few days.
Except for the day of the betrothal, he had to stay outside the capital. Xie Yingchen would come to Taiqing Temple every day, only to see her growing weaker and more frail each day, which terrified him.
It was as if what he had experienced six years ago would happen again, as if he would be left with nothing again the moment he opened his eyes.
Xie Yingchen rested his head on the crook of her neck, holding her tightly with both arms, not daring to let go.
"Young master, I'm alright. Really."
Gu Zhizhuo pulled his hand to touch her cheek.
Her skin felt a little hot after being in the sun for a while.
"See, isn't it all better now?"
Gu Zhizhuo smiled radiantly, her beauty beyond compare.
Xie Yingchen used his fingertips to tuck her stray hairs behind her ear: "I don't believe it."
"What the hell!"
“You’re good at flattering me,” he said, smiling at Wuweizi. “Master, don’t you agree?”
Wuweizi was grinding cinnabar by hand when he heard this, and he said in a serious tone, "Chen'er is right."
“Master, you are biased towards him.”
Wuweizi glared at her: "Who told you to be disobedient? If you're disobedient, your master won't be biased towards you."
Speaking of this, Gu Zhizhuo felt a little guilty, and his eyes darted around.
Xie Yingchen finally released her, stood up, greeted Wuweizi, and asked, "Is Yaoyao alright now?"
Yesterday, while he was in the capital, he only received a message from the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, which recounted some of the events, but he did not hear Wuweizi's personal account, so he was still somewhat uneasy.
Just as Wuweizi was about to speak, a young Taoist boy appeared at the door.
"Master, the Prince of Jin has arrived. He requests that you arrange a marriage for his son. He is on his way this way."
Marriage compatibility analysis?
Gu Zhizhuo raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who got married?"
"Cheng'en Duke's Mansion.
"Sun Nian?"
The two families fought so fiercely that day that Gu Zhizhuo thought the marriage was off.
She sneered, "This uncle of Cheng'en has really sacrificed a lot. Yuexia."
“Master, the Prince of Jin has also brought his heir. The abbot said that the Prince of Jin wants to trick you into showing yourself so that you can go and save the heir. It would be best if you stayed out of the way for now.”
A note from the author:
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