Chapter 46: Testing Qingjia’s body before it’s cold, the brother introduces his brother-in-law…
Yu Qing paused, realizing something was wrong.
The girl was already walking towards him with a cup in hand, pouring wine while thanking him and smiling.
Yu Qing had not forgotten that she was drugged after drinking in the palace two years ago. She had to touch the drink in public, but she only took a sip, actually holding it in her mouth, and spit it out calmly after a while.
But the woman didn't seem to want to leave, so she stayed by her side to serve, pouring wine and picking up food. Yu Qing said, "No need, young lady. I can do it myself."
Upon hearing this, the girl said innocently, "Is it that the dishes I made are not to your taste..."
Yu Qing was helpless. In such occasions, it was not uncommon for the host to let the beautiful women accompany the guests to have fun. In the past, she had to endure it patiently. It would be bad to jump out and spoil the fun. Anyway, she would not do anything else that was inappropriate.
But the girl's frown and gentle tone somehow touched upon her weak spot and made her feel particularly uncomfortable.
·
Towards the latter half of the banquet, several people started playing games such as pitching pots and guessing numbers. While others were enjoying themselves, she came out to take a breath, using the excuse of changing clothes and sobering up.
Outside the warm room, the cool wind blew away the music behind her, and she felt a little relieved.
After walking a short distance, I came back and found that the girl was also waiting not far outside the warm room.
Just now, every time she won the game of pitching pots, the girls beside her would laugh and cheer, giving Yu Qing enough face. The smell of the perfumed powder kept wafting towards Yu Qing, which was a bit choking to be honest.
"I was worried that the general couldn't find the way, so I came out to check."
"Thank you," Yu Qing said with a repellent smile, "but unless there's a Xuanmen Bagua formation in this mansion, I won't get lost easily. You're worrying too much, young lady."
The girl's eyes flashed, and just as she was about to speak, she heard the footsteps of another person behind her. It was King Rui in a cloak.
"I was wondering why you hadn't been seen for so long," Prince Rui said teasingly, "it turns out you two were together."
Without waiting for Yu Qing to explain, Prince Rui smiled meaningfully and said, "Yuntong is the best dancer in my palace. I never serve outsiders unless they are people I truly admire. If you can get along with her, why not let her stay at your palace for a while? What do you think?"
Tong Yun said, "I am willing to serve the general."
Yu Qing was not lucky enough to accept such kindness. She said, "There is no shortage of servants in my house. How can I ask Your Highness to give up my love?"
Prince Rui said, "I visited the Marquis and his wife before, and I found the Xuanbei Marquis's Mansion a little deserted. Tongyun is very skilled, so I can train you a group of musicians and dancers. Just to relieve your boredom."
"I usually like quietness and I don't understand music. Miss Tongyun is so talented, she should stay with someone who appreciates her. If she stays with me, wouldn't it be a waste of her time?" Yu Qing shook his head.
Yu Qing had clear features and a frank attitude. It seemed that he was not just being polite on the surface, but really had no interest in beautiful women.
Seeing this, Prince Rui did not try to persuade them anymore and let Tongyun go back first. Then he said to Yu Qing, "I was just saying this casually. Since the prince doesn't like her, then forget it. I wonder what kind of girl you like? Feel free to tell me. Let's go back to the banquet and have another drink."
Yu Qing's smile faded.
I used to think that Prince Rui had quite a few good qualities, but now it seems that his gentlemanly demeanor is just a facade, and he is actually a frivolous and greasy person in private.
In the eyes of these powerful men, women are always treated as objects. They call them when they are happy and give them as gifts to whoever likes them. Yu Qing is really disgusted by this.
And... Prince Rui seemed to be completely unaware of his identity.
She was Qingjia's consort. Even if the princess died, she would still be her husband.
When Qingjia was alive, the deposed prince forced a concubine on her; before Qingjia's body was cold, her brother introduced a beautiful concubine to his brother-in-law.
Who has ever thought about Qingjia for a moment?
Prince Rui is very capable and can turn things around at will. I'm afraid he doesn't even remember his sister who died young.
Concubine Rong has regained her sanity, reconciled with the Emperor, and is full of hope for her son. Does she still remember her poor daughter?
Back in the warm room, everyone was still laughing and the hot wine was flowing into their stomachs, but Yu Qing felt more and more heartbroken the more he thought about it.
If Qingjia were still alive, would she be sad?
·
A few days later, Yu Qing went to Tanyin Temple.
She rode alone and arrived at the mountain gate. It was just dawn and a layer of frost had condensed on the stone steps in the deep winter.
"Amitabha, it's been two years since we last met. How are you, my prince?"
Master Anren hadn't changed at all. With his round, bald head, he looked very kind and honest. The last time they interacted with him, they had teamed up to deceive Qingjia. Yu Qing's eyes flickered as she recalled the past.
"Hello, Master Anren."
"You look depressed, what's wrong?"
Yu Qing shook his head. The two of them sat in meditation in the Zen room. Yu Qing flipped through the scriptures on the table, lost in thought for a long time before suddenly saying, "Master, I have a question for you."
The mage made a "please speak" gesture.
Yu Qing: "Do ghosts and gods really exist in this world? Can a deceased person still remain in this world?"
The mage studied her expression, shook his head, and sighed, "My friend, you don't want to know the answer, you just have an obsession in your heart that you can't let go of."
“…”
Yu Qing was silent for a moment, then said, "The princess...died young, and I often regret it. She was weak by nature, and her life was more miserable than others. I have a murderous aura, so perhaps I really did harm her."
"The so-called conflicting fates are pure nonsense in my opinion," An Ren said. "That statement was just a cover-up. Why did you take it so seriously, my Lord? He's gone now, so let's move on."
Yu Qing also understood these principles, but he was in the dark because he was involved in the matter. He still felt depressed when he thought about the slightest possibility.
She asked the wizard to add another eternal lamp for her, hoping that the princess could forget the sufferings of this life and ascend to paradise soon.
·
After coming back, Yu Qing was bored staying in the capital.
There is nothing to do and no mood to play.
The emperor was still ill and court meetings were reduced to once every five days. She had no other duties for the time being and did not have to attend court. She was only occasionally summoned by Prince Rui to discuss matters, and otherwise she was free.
A few years ago, she and Wen Shuo went out for a drink.
What surprised her was that Wen Shuo was now much calmer.
It turned out that the Wen family was also implicated in the case of the old prince. Before the old man of the Wen family resigned from his official position, he was the prince's tutor. Many of his disciples were serving as officials in the court, and there were always two or three who supported the prince.
The marriage relationships between the aristocratic families are complicated, and the several aristocratic families that were liquidated were more or less related to the Wen family.
As a result, the Wen family was almost accused of forming a clique and disrupting government order. Even the eldest son, Wen Xu, was suspended from his post and taken away by the Censorate for questioning.
Later, Prince Rui stepped in and the Wen family was barely saved. Although several members of the family were dismissed and demoted, at least they did not experience property confiscation and execution. After some twists and turns, Wen Xu was reinstated and became a Shangshu Lang again.
This shocking event frightened Wen Shuo, a rich young man. He no longer dared to seek pleasure and be lazy. Instead, he went to the Imperial College and read the books of sages for a year. Now he is working as an editor in Jixian Academy.
"Things have changed and people have changed!" Wen Xu sighed.
He can't expect his talent to bring honor to his family. Just to avoid being a drag on his uncles and brothers, he has to make tremendous efforts. He used to be a playboy, but now he looks a bit vicissitudes of life.
Wen Shuo complained a lot and wanted to ask about Yu Qing's situation, but when the words came to his lips, he remembered that the princess died of illness not long after Yu Qing left Beijing.
It's pitiful to finally get married, but become a bachelor again. You don't need to ask to know how miserable it is.
"Come on, let's have a drink," Wen Shuo said, "What are your plans for the future?"
Yu Qing said calmly, "I haven't decided yet. I'll wait until the spring after the New Year to see if I should submit a petition to return to the northwest. There's nothing interesting in the capital."
Wen Shuo opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him not to suffer at the border, but seeing Yu Qing drinking a glass of wine with an expressionless face, he felt it difficult to speak.
Wen Shuo had known Yu Qing for many years, and although they had a good relationship, he always felt that he never truly understood him. Yu Qing had a rather aloof personality, with clear boundaries in his interactions with others, and rarely revealed his inner thoughts.
Wen Shuo often dragged him along to play, and even when Yu Qing came along, he didn't seem to be very happy.
He is completely different from the young masters of aristocratic families who are used to enjoying life. Like his sword, even if it is temporarily sheathed, the inside is still cold, hard and sharp.
Two years ago, when Yu Qing was newly married, she was full of vitality.
It is no longer visible now. Perhaps it is because he just came back from the northwest border. That kind of indifferent yet sharp temperament has become more and more obvious, and the whole person seems to be wrapped in a layer of invisible frost.
"The capital is too chaotic, it's better to leave," Wen Shuo followed his words, "Come back in two or three years. Maybe the next time you meet Prince Rui, it's in Ziwei Palace..."
Yu Qing said helplessly: "Be careful with your words! What nonsense are you talking about?"
Wen Shuo made a gesture to silence him and whispered, "Anyway, I think Prince Rui has some intentions. How do you say it? He's not one of the ordinary people."
Yu Qing couldn't help but sneer, "You little novice, you think the prince is 'not ordinary'? Come on, drink your wine honestly and don't talk nonsense."
If even Wen Xu could see it, then certainly others would know it too.
However, the political situation is ever-changing. Today the east wind prevails over the west wind, and tomorrow the west wind prevails over the east wind. No one can predict it.
King Rui is now in power, and he is above everyone else. However, the aristocratic families are no pushovers. If we avoid their attack now, it is unclear who will be able to turn the tables in the future.
·
On the first day of the first lunar month, the emperor and empress held a grand court meeting, and all officials came to the court to pay their respects.
After Xie Tingxuan was deposed, the empress was also confined to her house for a long time, and the emperor no longer favored her as much as before. However, Xie Tingxuan's crimes were not entirely implicated on her, and the empress did her best to clear herself of all charges. It was only because of her excessive doting, poor upbringing, and her tendency to put her son first that she allowed Xie Tingxuan to commit such a serious mistake.
The queen's father was the prime minister of the previous dynasty, and the Chen family behind her assisted the emperor all the way to the throne. The emperor eventually forgave her mistakes.
Although she did not completely fall to the bottom, the queen had lost a lot of weight and was no longer as blessed as before.
The emperor's cold disease had not been completely cured, and his speech was a little slow and unclear. The Ministry of Rites also repeatedly considered simplifying the process of court meetings so that the emperor would not suffer too much.
During the Lantern Festival, Yu Qing went to the palace to attend a banquet. He had no appetite, so after the banquet he walked along the long streets of the capital.
Today, people are out for outings and the scene is very lively. Yu Qing walks slowly with the crowd. There are countless lanterns hanging on both sides of the road. She stops from time to time and looks at the riddles absentmindedly. She has no clue about some of them, and occasionally she thinks of the answer, but she is too lazy to ask for a prize.
In front of me was a young couple holding hands, guessing several riddles in front of the lantern market. They got most of them wrong and finally only got a string of candied haws. The woman patted her husband's shoulder angrily, and finally handed the candied haws in her hand to him to taste, and the two continued to walk away together.
Yu Qing was all alone and always felt that he didn't fit in, so he just strolled around and then returned to the Marquis' Mansion.
The Lantern Festival was nothing special. She had thought it would be somewhat interesting and wanted to bring Qingjia to see it.
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