Chapter 72 Kneeling before her? Something big is about to happen.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Wusu walked briskly and said directly, "No need for formalities, please take a seat."
Normally, when discussing state affairs, one should stand in the hall according to the rules. However, the emperor offered him a seat as soon as he entered, so it seems that he was not going to talk about the case of Censor Yan.
What exactly is this private matter?
Palace servants entered with their heads bowed to serve tea. Emperor Wusu sat down behind his desk and first asked, "How is everything at home?"
Lu Juan looked slightly surprised and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything at my home is as usual, and my mother is in good health."
He specifically mentioned that Lady Cui was the emperor's aunt.
Yuchi Lianping replied simply, "The Princess is doing well." This was because she was his only family member.
Emperor Wusu took a sip of tea and remained silent for a long while; neither of them dared to speak.
But the emperor's expression remained unchanged, showing no signs of anger, and they did not know what his intentions were.
Silence fell over the hall.
The emperor and his ministers looked at each other in silence, with only the clinking of teacups being heard, until the palace servants came to refill the tea twice more.
Emperor Wusu then asked, "How is your relationship with your wives?"
Without a second thought, Lu Juan replied, "A perfect match, inseparable as glue and lacquer."
Yu Chi Lianping stroked his chin, savoring the memory: "It still feels like being newlyweds."
Why would the Emperor suddenly ask this question? Lu Juan pondered it deeply. Was he to be transferred to another post? Ji Qingrong was pregnant; if she were to be appointed to a post elsewhere now…
Yuchi Lianping frowned deeply. He was on a campaign in the northern border and didn't know when he would return. He worried that if he went back to Lin'an, the princess's residence would have many more male concubines. The more he thought about it, the worse his expression became.
The three people in the hall had different thoughts.
Emperor Wusu then asked, "What if she resists getting close to you?"
This is a problem?! Even emperors have such worries?
As long as he wasn't transferred out, Lu Juan was determined to be a good advisor to the emperor.
He thought the person the emperor was referring to was Consort Wei. Recently, rumors had circulated in the palace that Consort Wei and the emperor were arguing, and several powerful families were secretly trying to send their own people into the harem to compete for the emperor's favor.
So that's the crux of the problem.
After thinking for a while, Lu Juan said, "Your Majesty, women are made of water and need to be coaxed."
Yu Chi Lianping slapped his thigh and said disapprovingly, "Some women are made of ice. You can't coax them. You have to use tough methods to make them understand who's in charge in this family."
Lu Juan glanced at him, not believing his nonsense at all.
"If Your Excellency dares to say such a thing to Princess Huachang, then I, Lu, will respect you as a true man."
Yuchi Lianping downed another cup of tea, ignoring Lu Juan's attempt to expose his shortcomings.
When a man is out in public, his reputation is something he earns himself.
He said to the person in the main seat, "Your Majesty, if any of the concubines in the palace throw a tantrum at you, you can simply bestow a reward upon them."
Giving money and power—it's such a simple thing.
Lu Juan immediately shook his head and said, "If we reward them for throwing a tantrum, who knows how spoiled they will become in the future? It will only cause unrest in the harem, and the harem also affects the court."
Yu Chi Lianping thought Lu Juan was too stingy and had too many hidden agendas. He should just pamper the woman he liked.
Lu Juan thought the prince consort's ideas were crude and reckless. The two of them started debating in the Hall of Diligent Governance, each saying their own opinion.
The noise made Emperor Wusu's head spin.
He said coldly, "Get out."
*
The Ji family, Shou'an Hall.
Madam Ji was wearing a plain-colored robe with auspicious patterns of fortune and longevity. She had just woken up from her afternoon nap.
The younger generation who came to pay their respects sat below the hall.
The old lady lifted her drooping eyelids and said in an unfriendly tone, "Qingwu, I heard from the guard that you didn't get home until midnight last night? What kind of young lady is as wild as you?"
Ji Qingyuan continued, "Grandmother wants to see you, but she can't find you."
Yesterday, the whole family had lunch with the old lady. In the evening, Madam Ji was anxiously waiting for the palace's rewards, so she said she wouldn't eat with the younger generation.
Ji Qingwu then had the idea of going out for a stroll.
But it's always right to admit your mistake first; you can't be forceful with elders.
Ji Qingwu said gently, "Grandmother, it was Qingwu's fault. I don't have many memories from my childhood, and I've never seen such a bustling lantern market in Lin'an. I was so captivated by it that I stayed out a little longer. It was my fault for making you worry."
Mrs. Qiao sighed: "Mother, poor Xiao Wu was lost when he was young. He has suffered a lot outside and has never seen or experienced many things."
She even shed tears as she spoke: "It's all because I, as her mother, haven't been attentive enough. I will definitely teach her properly when I get back."
Given the attitude of the mother and daughter, the old lady could no longer make a fuss about the late return home.
"Qingwu, your grandmother is asking you, have you seen the emperor these past few days?"
Ji Qingyuan also turned her head and glared at her. Since the old lady asked this question, she must know something.
Ji Qingwu shook his head without blushing or skipping a beat: "No, I've never seen it."
Madam Ji said, "Have you done anything outrageous that the Emperor saw and displeased him, without your knowledge?"
Ji Qingwu continued to deny it: "No, I haven't offended anyone."
Hearing her so decisive, the old lady frowned, wondering when the Emperor's favor had been lost. She wanted to go to Cining Palace as soon as possible to discuss the matter with the Empress Dowager.
After a short while, Madam Ji asked again, "Where did Changyan go? I haven't seen him for several days."
The second wife, Wu, said, "Mother, Changyan said a few days ago that Prince Yong assigned him a task to repair water conservancy projects. He's probably busy with that, which is why he's not home."
Ji Qingyuan snorted, "Third Brother had better be busy with something important."
What shady dealings could he and Prince Yong possibly have?
Ji Qingwu never interfered in the affairs of the second wife's family. She just sat quietly to the side, smiling without saying a word. While they chatted, she obediently peeled and ate lychees.
It was afternoon by then.
Ji Qingwu was in the courtyard preparing the health-preserving powder for the sachets.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the courtyard gate: "Fifth Sister."
Ji Qingwu looked up and saw Ji Changyan, who had disappeared for several days. He had never been to her courtyard before.
Although she had a so-so impression of her playboy brother, she put down her work out of consideration for their sibling bond.
He greeted him in a calm and unhurried manner, "Third Brother, why are you standing outside? Come in and talk to me."
Ji Changyan looked troubled, his gaze sweeping over Lanzhi beside her and the maids who were sweeping the courtyard.
He began, "Fifth Sister, I have some private matters I'd like to discuss with you privately. Would you mind moving to the pavilion in the garden?"
Why should he tell her his private matters?
But it doesn't matter where you are, as you're either at home or anywhere else.
Ji Qingwu wiped her hands with a handkerchief and followed him into the pavilion.
Ji Changyan turned around, looking at her excitedly, his voice full of pleading: "Fifth Sister, you have to save me!"
His expression was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, as if he was about to kneel down before her at any moment.
This sudden action startled Ji Qingwu.
She quickly asked, "Third Brother, what exactly happened?"
"Fifth sister, dear sister, I have made a mistake and offended His Highness Prince Yong. I would like to ask you to put in a good word for me."
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